Have you ever tried wool applique? It is very portable, you could prepare some "kits" to take with you. You might go to Sue Spargo's web site to look at some very pretty, colorful patterns and there are more traditional folk or primitive styles. I love working with wool and it is so easy to applique because you don't have to turn edges under.
http://suespargo.com/
http://suespargo.blogspot.com/
If you go to her website and scroll to the bottom, you can link to her gallery for pictures.
On her blog you need to scroll most of the way down to see some of her student's work. You can also go to old blogs for more..