Welcome from Maryland. Sounds like you've found a few treasures. Janome (New Home) makes a very good product . You should really have fun with yours. I doubt the thread is good anymore, but the old spools make cool displays. If I were you I might start with a simple four-patch block to get used to the 1/4" seam allowance that is standard for all quilt patterns. When you find where your needle hits the fabric at 1/4" (don't eyeball, but sew about 12 inches then measure in three places to see how you're doing), then you can put a piece of painter's tape on the needle plate to guide you. Mastering the quarter inch is job one.
Also get friendly with another power tool--the iron. Many newbies don't realize the importance of pressing. A few wrinkles here and there don't seem like a big deal, but they make a big difference in the measurements ultimately, which is probably something I don't need to tell an engineer. Anyway, many of us didn't take iron or the 1/4" seam seriously in the beginning and it showed!
Your mom would probably be invigorated to show you a thing or two about her old hobby. Have fun! Get ready to be addicted.