I often make little sandwhiches with scrap fabric and batting... usually about 10" x 10" and then I play around I have bought lots of stencils and I do really like using them. Then I can get a design I like. the down side is that it takes me longer to mark the quilt top then to actually FMQ. With that point being made more than most time I just do the loopy or stipples.. so I don't have to mark
I think Youtube is a good resource I often start there