Welcome from Quebec city. Congratulations for your retirement.
I took 3 one-day quilting classes when I retired a few years ago and did placemats and potholders. Than I wanted to try my hands at a lap quilt which ended up big enough for a double bed. One of the mistakes I made was to buy small yardages of different fabrics that did not particularly match with one another. Now I am trying my hands at scrappy quilts to use up those little bits and pieces. I did some grocery bags with the leftover fabrics and they are washable and all differents.
I am planning to buy some more fabrics for a quilt that I want to make for my sister in law. this time, I will choose a pattern first than...... go and buy the fabrics I want to use in that quilt. I don't have nor don't want a stash. but there are so much beautiful fabrics out there... loll
A class to get you started is a very good idea. Than the rest will go on its own one project or two or three at a time!
Did you look at this page here on the board?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/resources/articles-2/