I picked up a book at our last Guild Meeting and it's about creating quilts from the center out. You start with a center block of whatever.............then just start adding and piecing with no pattern or plan. It's a little intimidating at first but when you get past the first few pieces, its a lot of fun..............I have one started with a appliqued African Tribal woman on a piece of muslin and am adding related "African style prints" It definitely takes you out of the "box" The free form cutting (no rulers) is a lot of fun as well!