Welcome Mal! Don't dismiss free motion quilting YET. By all means try the stencils. You can even make your own. I have friend who uses paper, perforates the lines with an unthreaded machine, and then uses them as a stencil. Try using a small foam craft brush instead of the big pouncer pad. You get less flying chalk!
When you are ready, try freemotion practice with a white dry erase board. Use low odor markers (ask me how I know!), and don't put your elbow down. (you are training your large muscles to make the shapes) It takes a bit of practice, but well worth the effort! My practice pieces are now residing as dog and cat beds all over my house!
And as always, we LOVE to see what you are working on...and we give encouragement too!