I like the idea of a sampler quilt with each block different. It would give you a chance to try several different ones and grow. When I learned to quilt we did a 6 block sampler, each block was a different technique. We had a basket, a log cabin (4 smaller one put together to make a 12" block), applique, reverse applique, a curved one(I did rob peter to pay paul using a drunkard path template), and it was either a block with a "y" seam or a star block, (I did lemoyne star). With each one you will learn something new. You can choose a variety that you feel comfortable with.