Eleanor Burns is the best for newbies. She teaches every detail even which way to press seams.
Watch her videos on the Quilt In A Day website. She has a TV show but it is on a rural station that I cant remember the name of.
MSQC is also great and they have so far 3 or 4 magazines called Quilting Quickly available with Jennie Doans patterns.
As a beginner pick a simple modern pattern to start. Get your basic rulers 6x12 and 6x24 and a 12 in square ruler for squaring up your blocks. I found that you make a lot of half square triangles so Quilt In A Days triangle square up ruler is a must have.
You will also eventually want a good turning mat. It saves a lot of time and effort.