Transferring lessons from hand applique class

A few weeks ago I took a hand applique class because, you know, I hate applique. It's gonna take a lot of practice to be an adequate hand appliquer. But I am using some of the lessons I learned with my row-by-row applique leftover from 2015.

Above is one section machine appliqued.

What I used from hand applique is tacking down the pieces with a long machine basting stitch instead of using any fused material or glue.

One out of four done and I really like the look and feel.

For my finish- 

my old standby giant 9 patch.

The center is Meet the Royals and the other sections are from the same fabric manufacturer.

I used a favorite multicolored floral on the back. The quilting is simple diagonals. I didn't mark any lines, just sewed in semi-straight lines.

Two weeks ago we had this bunch and a few more over for good-bye supper for Liam and David.

Loved having them. Hope to have them over again when the boys visit next summer.

So many ideas and so little time.