That subtle magnification was on purpose. I chose to do that rather than the obvious, "wow, look how that magnifying glass is really magnifying what's under it!!"

I guess your looking at it technically, while others are voting based on appeal. They like the idea, so they vote high. I agree though. It's a cool tile, with a cool idea, but it's not technically perfect, (subtle border lines) so why should it get a perfect score? I would personally give a bit lower, maybe 3 or 4. But rack seems to get the tiling "concept". He's made a tile that looks like it would be great to blend with. So I guess it all depends on how/why your voting, and on what aspects of the tile/artist your grading.