Hey I am overwhelmed by your lovely comments, thank you so much everyone.
To answer a couple of questions:
The feathering - alot will have already seen on previous posts the recommendation for the method in Sally Terry's book "Hooked on Feathers". It has improved my fmq out of sight, and is easy and fun to do - and best of all, it looks so impressive.
I dont mark but instead work to different points in a block - no two therefore are absolutely identical, and some of the curves are a bit deeper than others, but no-one is going to notice and it doesnt matter if they do!
You do get braver with each quilt.
Annieshane - only the fmq took me 3 weeks! - the cutting and piecing seemed to take forever. I started it last winter but put it one side for a few months before layering it - I think sandwiching it was the hardest part of making it!
Irenecarter - The pattern is from Judy Martin's "Star Happy Quilts". The smallest star is my own addition, it's not on the pattern. But the block itself is not difficult and you will find it on Quilters Cache - its just doing it as a 12in and 6in blocks. But the book is not expensive and gives several layouts and colour ideas, and I dont think I would have attempted the pieced star border without it.
The other thing which has helped is a Sewslip mat I got recently. I wouldn't be without it - so much easier to move the quilt fluidly with it.
Thanks again!