They both are exceptionally pretty! I have questions. Is the lone star border a print or is it the quilting showing on blue or gray ? I am on an IPhone so it hard to tell. The small strip of gold around the star really makes it pop, even as big as it is, defines it I guess I should say. I've not made a lone star but would love to. Is there one pattern easier than others?
The cross is another I'd like to try one day. I like the fabric you used on the cross itself, or is the design on it stitching? I like how you stitched the 'Rays' from the cross too.
I get bored too with some of the patterns we have for our QOV. I like the freedom I have to do what I want, esp around the panels. Some of the group don't like to do quilts with the panels so they have passed a few to me.
I say you did very well on both and I suppose I need to look, at any albums you have here, to see more of the artist in you.