I have learned that I'm not artistic and freelancing the FMQ isn't going to cut it for me. I mark everything. You can get templates with just stipples on them. You can either use a washable pencil or the Pounce chalk to mark the tops of your quilts.
With the chalk though after you're done it looks like you were bagging cocaine in your basement. The machine will need to be cleaned, but it works like a charm and some chalks just iron off when done.
Keep practicing. As said above, always practice before setting out to FMQ every time, it loosens you up.