On those occasions when I want to make something special, I start in a store by selecting a focus fabric suitable for the occasion. Then, I can't find all of the fabrics necessary to tie the project together. I carry my swatch books around when I go shopping, so I look at what's in the buggy, open the books, and can usually find what I need from my book, which reflects my stash. When the weather or budget is not conducive to shopping, I can quilt from my stash with no problem.