Retiredteacher, love what you do with the sampler tops, and the simple squares is a very nice project, your background fabric works so well with it. I recognize some of those fabrics and have them too -- go go rainbow cats!
Zozee, you are an inspiration! I've been doing really good on my new fabric temptations but give in too easily to the thrift stores. Been giving myself a talking to or two. Not enough, but at least I pause briefly before buying.
Joe'smom, I think you will be ok if your fabrics are close enough. I did a couple projects earlier this year and had to face my demons on neutral fabrics. Turned out to be not that scary.
Teen, will have to show that top to one of my Tuesday quilting ladies. She is having fun with hexes right now making a pillow or two but I know she would love that top. She's the one who works in a more improvisational style and I think she can put her hand to that concept within yours.
Got some help with my machine and will be doing some quilting down of some of my tops so I will have those to bring to Tuesday group for the hand sewing of the bindings, then maybe I'll feel better about doing that paper piecing. Trying to learn how to use the "sewing computer" instead of my vintage "sewing machine", just going to do a serpentine stitch to quilt down that Seahawk Pink project, I think it will be perfect for that and I've never done it before.
I think in terms of dealing with stash that I do need to put together some "alternate projects". Not going to consider them UFOs. But for when I want to do one of my fast slice and dice projects, have a few go-to fabrics and ideas to work with instead of looking for inspiration.