Welcome Elaray!!
I usually find blocks that I like and play with them to make a quilt. When I started quilting again, I discovered Quilterscache and discovered that I could come up with quilts just using a block or two.
http://www.quilterscache.com/ -- the patterns here are free. I have used patterns, but normally do my own thing. I have the Electric Quilt Program, Block Base and if I want to plot out a pattern I use them.
I also have a nice collection of books (mostly older books) that I use as a reference -- more for blocks than quilts.