I began my quilting journey with a nine patch, easy but effective, you can have fun with so many different colour ways.
A cushion is a good idea and even better if you want to try out small blocks etc is to make pin cushions. I have seen heaps of these in quilting mags and quilting project books and they are beautiful little items which could be given as gifts later on to friends or family who sew or quilt.
Gal