Thank you again everyone who has responded! You have all made me feel so welcome and even more enthusiastic about what will hopefully become my new hobby.
I just discovered that we do in fact have a quilt shop in our little town, but unfortunately they only do a beginner class once a month and for the next three months it's scheduled on days that don't work for me ... so I am forging ahead on my own and will be probably look here often for guidance.
I have lots of ideas and choices now, and I will let you know what I decide to do! Busy weekend ahead, but hopefully I'll have settled on a pattern by next week ....
Thanks again!!!
Becki