You can have any colour, even black?

Henry Ford, in his autobiography, said of his Model-T Ford that "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black". The reason was that the cars were produced on an assembly line, and black had the fastest drying time.

Fortunately for us, the world has progressed significantly since then, and now you can have material in any colour, including black.

In this step in your keepsake quilting process you get to choose the colours, and it is important to choose those you like.

Many years ago, when someone said "people like working with people they like", the whole working environment made a whole lot more sense to me. Well, its the same with your colours. If you like the colours, you won't get tired of them, and you'll be excited to spend as much time as possible working with them. Because you are so comfortable in their presence, this will enable you to express yourself, your thoughts, your mood, your ideas. In the end you'll be proud to be associated with a quilt you can truly call a keepsake.

Where your final creation is for yourself, and since it will tell your story, no colour is wrong. However, if it is for someone else, take the time to consider their preferences at this time. Think about the gifts you've recieved that have made you truly happy. These would be those which suit you entirely. Part of the reason for your joy, is that you know the giver has taken the time to know and acknowledge you, because you are important. So, take the time to know the recipient of your keepsake quilt, and this will help you enjoy each and every colour you use.

Take the time now, to think of your colours. Think about the main colours, find contrasting as well as complimentary colours.

Start with the first step.

A journey of a thousand miles, starts with the first step, and we always have so many excuses (some call them reasons!) for not getting started. When you look at the thousand miles, it seem so far, but if you you look at the fun you will have along the way, everything changes. The whole journey becomes the destination, and you can hardly wait to take each step, because it's an adventure in itself.

Now we know where we're going, the only way to get there, is to start moving. Standing still is the excuse we use to hide from our fear of failure. Well, if we fear failure, then we have failed already. So, now that we know how it feels, let us say "Been there, done that. Nothing interesting there.", and just move on to something more exciting.

What does our keepsake quilt look like? Imagine it. Feel it. Smell it. See all those around, admiring all the effort and love that went into it.

The movie "Stepmom" starting Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts pops into my mind at this point. The reason of course is the quilt she makes for her daughter, and the quilted cape she makes for her son. She, the mother, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and one of the many things she does, is to make these keepsake quilts for her children. Anyone else seen that movie?

She started with the end-point in mind. She wanted to leave the children with a story of their short time together, so she used baby photos, pieces of their favourite clothing or baby blankets, as well as ideas which represented the current time. All of this carefully worked into the item for each child.

Whatever the final result, it is important to see it in your mind. Know what it means to you, and to the person who will receive it. This will make it far, far more than bits of material sewn together.

Where are you going to, my lovely?

To create a successful keepsake quilt, the very best place to start is at the end.

Sound crazy? Well then let me explain.

It's a simple philosophy really. If you know where you're going, then it is so much easier to find your way there.

I'm sure you've come across many successful people who always knew what they wanted from life. Because they had the goal in mind, it was just a simple matter of getting a matching education, finding the right tools, then add in a little hard work into the mix, to give the desired result.

If you know you're going to succeed, it is so easy to have a passion for the journey. It's this passion which carries you through to success.

Ok, back to the keepsake quilt.....

First question - for what will it be used? A double bed, a child's bed, a baby's cot, a wall hanging? Is it for a boy or a girl? Before you even know how it will look, you'll need to know how it will be used, because this tell you the size, the colours and even the pattern you will need.

Congratulations! By answering this question you have completed the biggest, most difficult step of this journey, and you're on the way towards creating a new family heirloom, your keepsake quilt.