I agree, keep a small piece of your beginning work so you can actually see how you are improving over time.
I got help from a LA friend so I didn't have problems with tension issues, then I quilted charity quilts. Those receiving these quilts are definitely NOT the quilt police. Two of my groups have enough quilts available for me to quilt. Enough that I share with some of my HQ friends.
All small scraps go into a pillow slip for the humane society - that's puppies and kitties. I got the material ffor the pillow slips rom a place that sells upholstery fabric for $1/yard as the fabric was outdated and hadn't sold. Once the owner knew it was for the animals. I am giving some of the pillow slips to friends so we can fill them sooner.