Just one one yard sandwich! That was on the rack for about a month. I would go in and doodle with different motifs, both freehand and stencil markings done with chalk. The first quilt I put on I didn't like so I didn't care if I ruined it. That freedom (of not caring) really prompted me to really go wild! I did a stencil in the border and the rest was freehand. I decided my motifs by sketching out the block on paper then just doodled on it until I was happy with a design. Here is a link to pictures I posted of that quilt.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-77776-1.htm
No one stencil in that quilt matches any other exactly but the overall appearance is the same. My pebbles are all different sizes and my loopy motifs and sunbursts, no two are exactly alike but the overall appearance to the eye is the same motif.
That quilt gave me loads of confidence. Here is a link to my second one.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-85150-1.htm
That one just came off the rack two weeks ago. I do not have another top pieced and ready at this point so haven't decided if I want to put in another practice sandwich or just wait until I finish my current WIP.
Comparing yourself to your old LA'ers Computer guided design is most definitely makeing you feel inadequate. Love what you do for the originality and artistry YOU have given it, not some computer!