A couple of projects that I've tried to implement with the help of Robert's Heaton blog series. It has introduced me hands-on to the importance of planning as well as gave me a better perspective on data handling & algorithms power.
Projects are interesting and they touch on diverse subjects making the whole experience quite a rollercoaster. From computationally demolishing everyone that I play with (Tic-Tac-Toe) through quite-low-level introduction to databases (UserLogins) and observing the evolution of cells (GameOfLife) to creating your avatar using Photomosaics and ASCII Art.
If you're an (advanced) beginner, I would strongly recommend you to go through this journey giving your all.
Program that rewrites an image using ASCII characters.
Transform images using... images.
Maybe not as good as the original, but hey!
No need to worry about ever losing to your friend in TicTacToe again.
Not really useful in practice, but a great starting project to the databases.