I probably would not have chosen to work with zebra print if I hadn't joined the "Wild Things" swap here. That is way outside of my normal fabric choice range. I figured what the heck! Sometimes you just have to go for it and have some crazy fun.
I think the zebra faces and the jungle leaves are from the same line and that helped with some inspiration. I know zebras don't live in the jungle, but I thought about them poking their heads through the leaves in a game of peek-a-boo. I played with the fabric on the table before I started to dink around with drawing out the design. Graph paper and colored pencils really are your friend.
I liked the overall look and the black kept the zebra from being to over-powering. I always seem to make a test block first, to audition the way the fabrics and colors will play with each other. If I don't like the first one, then I can easily adjust the fabrics until they suit me. By cutting just one block, I haven't committed to the whole quilt until I find the right combination. Once I find the layout I like, then I cut everything for chain piecing assembly.
The blocks are not paper-pieced. I haven't tried that yet. I used the block pattern and templates from Marti Michell. She has a great system that allows even the math-challenged to create great quilts. Even if you don't get the acrylic templates, you should check out the books. There are a ton of block patterns in each one (75+I think) and she prints full-sized templates in the books so you can trace them off and give them a try. I love it, it's like quilting for dummies!

Bec, I could see using the purple batiks where I have the black or green print. It would depend on how much purple you wanted. I found the zebra print at J's and bought it with a coupon. Which is why I decided on the zebra for the back. I think that the back is pretty busy, but it does give a completely different look. Nothing like getting two quilts in one!
Good luck with your quilt! Cathy