I don't have too much to add as all my thoughts have been suggested already. My original thought was a sampler which you can find in a book or make up yourself with blocks for quilterscache. I would suggest some smaller projects like pillow, table runner or lap quilt in case it ends up something you don't enjoy doing so much.
another book is the Harriet Haregrave Quilting Academy books. Has some nice smaller projects that focus on particular skills required for making quilts.