Howdy and Welcome from Kentucky!
I started quilting right before I lost my Dad this past July and it has been an incredible comfort to me. The members of this board have been a HUGE help and support to me so I know you will get alot of answers from folks who know alot more than I do....LOL ;) But just for fun, here are my 2 cents:
1. I agree with the other that you might want to practice a simple design first...maybe even take a class!
2. Go visit a quilt shop in your area and talk to them. You will get overwhelmed I warn you but it's LOTS of fun and you will have a local resource.
3. Read up on basic quilting...stuff like "quarter inch seam" that is SO important was completely foreign to me.
4. Now for fun...here are some cool tie quilts to get your creative juices going; the 1st one is a Memory Quilt with ties:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-72433-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-22667-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-67663-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-65242-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-46641-1.htm
I hope that helps :D