I haven't been quilting as long as some of you, so maybe this will change for me, lol. I don't always remember the quilt and what pattern it was, but I almost always remember the fabric. Once, I pulled a box out from under the bed in my sewing room and found a whole bunch of unfamiliar fabric. I was horrified, I couldn't believe I had all this fabric and didn't even recognize it. Then I remembered that I had bought it all from one woman at a yard sale; it was all florals for watercolor quilts. What a relief -- I had never handled them or picked them out individually.
I guess because I love fabric, I always remember it. At least so far...
And I do take pictures of my quilts now.