are you machine quilting with feed dogs, or FMQ... or are you hand quilting? When I hand quilt I usually mark with stencils.. hearts, flowers, simple things. This place has tons of stencils.
http://www.quiltingcreations.com/ If you are creative browsing through these may give you some ideas. You can quilt straight lines with your machine feed dogs... I have no suggestions for FMQ as I am just going to attempt to FMQ my first quilt this week.....