Welcome from Texas! I am glad you found this Board; it's a great place for information, inspiration, and friendship. You have received a lot of great suggestions here and I only have a couple to add. Blocks of the month, either on line or through a LQS (local quilt shop) are a great way to learn new techniques. I have also purchased some nice kits at LQS and online. They come with fabric, instructions, and best of all, you get to see a pic of the finished quilt before you buy. There are lots of different ways to start. The main thing is to relax and enjoy the journey!