Maybe you could try to start off with something small? Have you tried doing a baby quilt? When I'm manic I can pop one out in 1-2 days. They're great because I don't see them as a "big" project and don't tend to get overwhelmed when I'm not manic. I usually give them as gifts (oh I always slip a bounce sheet when I fold them up so that when they're unwrapped they smell great).

I have also made what I call "quilted photographs". Basically, it's a large block with a photo transfer (I like black and white) in the middle. I then quilt around the photo- of course the photo can't be quilted so it's just a show piece for the wall.

I have only made 1 large quilt. It was queen size for my mother. Every other block was hand appliqued (my first and last attempt of hand applique). Try to picture it- I appliqued each block to look like flowers on a vine.. the vine was in the shape of a heart with small different flowers on each block (none the same). I set them on varying shades of off white. It took me six months to complete, but I was proud of it. I thought it was beautiful! My sisters helped pay for the materials and we gave it to her for Christmas. Months later I was at her house visiting and found it crumpled up in the corner of her bedroom.. the dog had peed on it.