I think your solution is very creative quilting.
If you consider that quilting is simply anchoring three layers (or two layers) of fabric together in order to save the life of the quilt, your solution of using fancy stitches around parts of your quilt is quite appropriate.
I have been trying to get our grandson interested in quilting. My argument is: quilting is math and men love math (his mother thinks I am teaching him to be sexist - - LOL)
Anyway, I was trying to tell him that men make excellent quilters, and was trying to convince him to start doing all my quilting so all I have to do is piecing.
At one point, while I was working on a quilt, he comes up to me and says: Remind me again of why you are putting all that thread on that quilt.
When I explained that it kept the layers together so that when the quilt is washed the batting won't end up down at one end, he said: "Oh! You mean there is a practical reason for what you are doing. I guess you are right! I CAN do this!"
The fact that people sew fancy shapes and intricate patterns is just an added creative piece to the equation - - but for those of us more limited in ability - - always remember the practical reason for what we do.
and, then celebrate your ability to do more than just the practical - - sort of like being a quilting Martha Stewart! lol <wave>