When I started to quilt, I didn't want to commit to a whole quilt so in my class I made the blocks the teacher wanted (that's another idea, take a class) and then I made pillows. That Christmas my family got pillows made of all my sampler blocks! Another idea I had when i read your msg. A friend of mine picks graphics she likes, like a box of kleenex for instance, then she finds fabrics in the same colors to put together. That way she knows she will like the way they look together. good luck to you! Keep on quilting.