I love to do applique also!! I feel like it is like painting with fabrics. I have not tried hand just machine and I just love it. can't get enough of it. here are a couple of samples.
the only hand one I did
[ATTACH=CONFIG]118375[/ATTACH]
doll quilt in process
[ATTACH=CONFIG]118376[/ATTACH]
table cloth
[ATTACH=CONFIG]118378[/ATTACH]
My very first applique project
[ATTACH=CONFIG]118380[/ATTACH]