I'm kinda like you, sewed all my life but have only been quilting a couple of years and it is a whole different ball game. I love the process of buying the fabric and picking the pattern but I get bored after the first block or two. I find that if I pick patterns with larger pieces or more challenging ones I like it better. I also love the quilting process and have done a couple of whole cloth quilts and you might try that.
as far as the patterns, if you like it then plunge right in. If you limit yourself to easy patterns alwyas you will get bored with quilting.