You are all so wonderful! I really appreciate all the input. I have been doing some research, and have read that Jinny Beyer does do great handwork, so that's where I should be looking. I'm going to read up on what she does. I do like the idea of it being a take-along project. I usually have a needlework project with me, and this is my current choice. I have really come to love it. Nanac, you are really on the money with your advice. So far, I am marking my seam lines. I really need them, and hopefully as I advance I will be able to eyeball myself. I do the backstitches as well, and the sharp cutting tools are great advice. I've tried to go with what I have and it's made a huge difference when I've bought something new.
I myself am ok with taking longer with my projects. I found that a lot of what I was doing was building up TOO fast, so this slows me down a bit. I'm just doing this for my own satisfaction, so it really doesn't matter how long it takes.
Thanks to you all for the recommendations of websites, podcasts, videos, who does it, etc. Now I'm very happily ready to research!