The next time I have a situation like this (usually when I have surgery and I have one coming up) I plan on making a dresden plate. It has the hand piecing and then the applique onto the background block. Easy to carry, not so boring as a GFG.
I have also thought about doing the little girl's quilt with the doll dresses that you applique and embellish, not the one with preprinted dresses. THAT would have all kinds of interests and a variety of things to do. HTH