Welcome welcome! Quilting is so much fn and it sure beats watching mindless TV. I would wholeheartedly agree with taking a beginner's quilt class or 3, but I would also add to it:
Make sure you have good essential tools to work with. Any machine as long as it does a striaght stitch will work fine but dull scissors, cheap thread and inaccurate rulers will make you crazy and can ruin a project. My recommendations:
2 pairs of cutting scissors,one small for ripping seams (alas) and one large for cutting. Get the best quality you can afford - they last a lifetime.
A large gridded cutting mat
An OmniGrid ruler (I like the 24")
A rotary cutter, 45 mm with backup blades (you replace a lot of these!)
Good thread. I like Gutermann (and they have 1000 yd spools) others swaer by Coates and Clark. Just don't use old thread or no name thread. The breakage isn't worth it.
Beeswax. If you have to do any handsweing at all, this keeps any thread from snarling.
Long pins. New, sharp points.
An assortment of hand sewing needles that actually have eyes you can SEE.
Anyone else have any favorite basics to add?