I have found that the best way to hand applique is using the back basting method -- see
http://www.quiltingboard.com/compose...topicnum=34829 for directions. There are no templates needed and it is very portable. I never thought I could applique by hand until I learned about this method on Simply Quilts. I found this site recently that explains it. You will be able to applique almost anything you see and can draw--I do all applique quilts now--hardly ever do piecing except for backgrounds and borders. It has changed my quilting life!