Trained Pattern Tester

I've been doing a little pattern testing for Ester of iPatch. She's working on a Chugging Along pattern that includes a locomotive, train station, passenger car, caboose, coal car, freight car, and water tower so far...

I couldn't resist, as my son is a major train fan. He has quite the Geotrax collection, and has been known to take up the entire living room floor with his tracks and such.

I've learned a couple things through testing paper-pieced patterns.
1. My printer thinks it knows more about paper-piecing than me, but it doesn't. This results in it printing at sizes other than 100% if I'm not careful about preventing this tendency. That's no fun for me, as it means pieces don't fit together or blocks aren't the size I intended.
2. Like babies, paper-priced blocks are all the more cute because of their itty-bitty components. However, this does mean adorable, tiny animal eyes or, in this case, train wheels can take a really, really long time to piece.

I'm still not certain if the rock fabric is too realistic in comparison to my other fabric choices. What do you think?

I have discovered that I would like to add some of the other blocks Esther has created to this train when the pattern is released.

I'm linking up with: