suern3--Did you see the layout for the lap quilt (pg 266)? Maybe you can choose the blocks you feel like you can handle and just make those first? It takes just 20-8" blocks so those would be bigger pieces to work with too. You could save the middle block until last.
I am not making all of the blocks. I have altered the queen size and will be making 36-8" and 36-6" blocks.
Does anyone else have their book yet? Have you picked your fabrics?