well the paper on the back of these blocks is helping them lay flat and look pretty - I really like the whole paper piecing way to do this. Seems easier somehow than having to get it all perfectly and straight without it. (and thank you!)

Question - how big is a normal throw quilt, like to keep in a sofa to snuggle with while watching movies? I'm trying to decide what the finished size of this quilt should be and if I'm going too big for my first try at this whole quilt thing. *laugh*

Welcome from wine country, which is Napa, California
You did a super great job with your first squares!

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Hi from Ohio! You are on a good start with your blocks.

Nice Blocks! Welcome from Michigan!:)

Go Girl you are doing great! Welcome from NE Louisiana:)

awesome colors! you are doing a great job! Yes, you can quilt using your machine... your machine will need a walking foot if you are going to quilt in straight lines, or the ability to drop the feed dogs (the part that grabs the fabric and pulls it under the needle)... a special quilting foot would be nice, too.... you can go to youtube and find all kids of videos on machine quilting... my advice is to watch a bunch of them to give you some diversity... everyone does it differently.

Looks good to me, keep up the good work!

Here is a link to one of the best free motion sites that I think that is out there. She does it all on a domestic machine. This year she just started doing a new kind of tutorial where you can go right along with her. There is alot to her site so check it all out. There are tons of designs and ideas as to how to do things. Good luck on quilting. It's good that you have your mom there to help you out. Both of these links are for the same person; the first one is for her latest lessons.
http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/
http://www.daystyledesigns.com/quiltshop.htm

Welcome! Great blocks, using paper piecing really helps take the worry out of keeping it straight. You will have an awesome quilt, show us pictures when you complete it.