Hi Singalong,
Where in Upstate? I know all about the projects that sit in the closet. Easy projects are strip quilting. There are some great rotary cutter books on the market. My very first quilt was a KING size quilt. But it was from a rotary cutter book and it came out great. If you need practice quilts, you can find books and fabric at yardsales, make the quilts as lap quilts and offer them to the local aged living facilities. They will be glad to have them and no one will notice the imperfections. That way, they don't stack up in your closet. With all the fabric you have from your unfinished project, you can salvage it and use it in the next project. Then, when you have more practice under your belt, get the pattern out and start again. Remember, go slow. It really pays off.