On the travel theme idea, you could get pictures from the internet of places she has traveled (or WANTS to travel), print them out on fabric and use these as some of your quilt blocks. Or perhaps she will even share some of her photos or post cards with you. It would be wonderful if you take personal pictures of each of you making the quilt - a real personal, one-of-a-kind memory quilt or wall hanging. You could use some of the traveling type fabric that was mentioned as connecting borders. Have fun!