Hi Jayne... it's going to be fun making blocks with you. Soon Janice will post the group photo album that she keeps, and you can take a look at lots of past blocks and finished quilts. That might help you decide how much fabric to buy.
I'm afraid those of us who posted many fabrics might have confused marlenab. Usually we send the same fabric for everyone, but sometimes a few of us renegades decide to go scrappy and send 20 different fabrics, or some combination thereof. For your first boom, I'd keep it as simple as possible.
I'm trying to make two floral lap throws this time, so I sent all different florals from my stash. I want the lap quilts to be scrappy florals. But this is the first time I've ever done that! I'm actually copycatting Teriamn... it was her idea and she's doing it too.