Beautiful! I think it turned out well.
My only comment since you mentioned fabric choices would be to avoid patterns with straight lines. They tend to 'stop' the eye from moving effortlessly across the quilt and I think this is causing the 'busy' effect that is bothering you.
Have you got one of the One Block Wonder books by Maxine Rosenthal, who created this technique? There's lots of advice in there about which fabrics works and which don't. Although I often break the rules now having made a few (I often purposely make more subtle ones these days then embellish them with applique or other things), at least at first I stuck to her guidelines, until I 'got my eye in' design-wise.
It would be a shame if this were your last - don't be discouraged! It's beautiful and way beyond MY first attempt! :-D :-D :-D
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