Thank you for all the wonderful replies, it makes a heart feel good!
Pineneedles, I was actually hoping for just that, a 'leather' look, it'll go w/the cowhyde throw rug and pillows. Thank you!
Leatheflea, yes, in order to do a 2nd one, it would have to be for someone very very special. I tend to like patterns that are time consuming (it keeps me out of the fabric stores!!) and like piecing a good puzzle together. My hats off to Judy Niemeyer on this pattern. I can't even wrap my pea brain around how she designs them.
Homecaregiver, it is paper piecing, but I'm not sure what "english" paper piecing is? I think I purchased the pattern a little over 6 months ago, and worked on it intermttently, walking away from it when I would get frustrated.