Barb, my first quilt I ever made was a cross-stitch Teddy Bear ABC quilt for my nephew (who is now 20yrs old). I have also cross-stitched a States quilt. I set those blocks into picture frames with black sashing and borders. I hand quilted both of these quilts, which I would not recommend for beginning quilters. Presently, I am doing a detailed map of Great Britain for the center of a BOM of British cottages.
Wendy