Hi,
In Corpus, there is the Costal Bend Quilt and Needlework Guild
http://www.corpuschristiquilters.com/index.html
and in Rockport, there is Piecemakers by the Bay Quilt Guild
http://www.piecemakersbythebay.org
Unfortunately, neither group seems to update their webpages very often, but they do have contact info so you could get in touch with them about joining/meetings.
The two groups alternate having a quilt show in the winter each year; the next one will be in Rockport on January 28 and 29. We were in Rockport and Aransas Pass last winter, and I enjoyed the quilt show in Corpus.
For your first quilt, you could use the Warm Wishes pattern which is easy but looks somewhat complex.
Bed-size here
http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/d....html?idx=5185 and crib size here
http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/d....html?idx=5215
You could also order a quilt kit from Quilts for Kids
http://www.quiltsforkids.org/patterns/request and put together an easy four-patch alternating with a plain square-they send you darling fabric for the quilt and you provide the batting. Rewarding way to practice piecing and quilting.
Happy quilting,
Margaret