go with her colors, maybe images she likes. I just made a kittens lap quilt starting from nice panels. Several people who saw it werewild about it. IMHO having it done and delivered is what matters.
I had only one already made quilt when a dear friend was diagnosed. I called my DH to bring it right then. Later I offered to swap for a more complex one. She said, "This is the quilt that healed me." Feelings matter greatly.