Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
Thanks for the hints on cutting up shirts! I have to say, I am in love with my first rotary cutter. OLFA was the only brand I could find here. I was a little disappointed because the blade that came in the package (pre-fitted) was AWFUL and DULL. I had to buy a separate one just to cut through cotton.
I haven't found many resources here for nice fabrics. There is one shop that sells some nice things, but the prices are laughable. $4 for something out of the scrap pile! I tried to purchase some solid fabric (I'd been using bedsheets, but thought I would try something more colorful) and they wouldn't sell me less than a full meter. I asked for 1.5 meters and they said 1 or 2, nothing in between-- and nothing less than 1! I'll have to start buying my fabric online!!
Thanks again, so glad to see so many helpful quilters!
Feel better, Marilyn!