Putting What im learning to use..

Ok i have a question, I am learning HTML and CSS at the moment at a very rapid speed. And i feel as if i'm retaining a great amount of information, but i just don't know what tools of the trade i should be using, (such as bootstrap, wordpress, github) (these are just some things i've heard web developers might use in there daily development) and also if im not actually designing the website right now but instead just developing it, how would i go about actually putting my code to use? Please provide some ways that you guys were able to retain this information and put it to good use, and possibly learn more effectively? (im using flashcards that i made, and just right different tags on them; its somewhat effective) I really just want to be able to take this information i have learned thus far and actually start doing something with it! Because i feel like i am only able to make a website because im following the course, if i break away and practice what the courses have taught so far and apply to a project i might learn more, and have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done. (Please provide essential programs i might need in order to develop a websites front-end) like programs that are essential in order to even get a project started! And do i need to learn these programs before i learn the basics such as html and css? or do i learn at same time, or do i learn after i have a full understanding of html and css? Please Help!

Reggie