I found a great computer software for beginers. Its called Quilt Design Wizard by the Electric Quilt Co. You have 200 blocks to choose from and you can size it to your specifications. It is user friendly and only costs $29.00. They have a website but it is also in quilting mags. I think it is great. YOu can choose fabrics and colors and borders. It prints out patterns and give you instructions. You can even set it for paper pieceing patterns. I am really happy with it.
My quilting group makes quilt blocks for donation quilts and they are always with 8 inch blocks so this software is perfect for sizing not only quilts but blocks.