I had made cheater quilts for babies, then several years ago I started watching Simply quilts and Carol Duvall. I made some tapes for future use; I even catalogued the tapes. After watching for a couple of years, I got up the nerve to make a quilt when one of my nieces got married. I went to the library and found a pattern I liked (churn dash blocks). I didn't make another until my nephew got married. Once I moved down here, I started quilting all the time with my sister and nephew's MIL and a couple of friends. My sis and I did the BOM at a local quilt shop last year, and we're doing it again this year. I have to agree that I learn a lot here.
I also check out patterns online as well as tips from some other sites. (None as helpful as here I think).