Congrats on the great gift from a thoughtful friend. I am a huge machine appliquer. I only use Heat n' Bond lite. I buy the rolls when it goes on sale.
As to the method, I use the 'donut method'. That is, trace your pattern piece onto the fusible then cut away all but 1/4" starting from the inside (center) to the edge all the way around. It will give you a much more subtle piece than if you fused the entire piece of fusible material to the fabric.
Good luck and have fun.