It is absolutely gorgeous! Like you, I am not very good at crocheting; especially when compared to your mother or in my case either one of my grandmothers. Both of my grandmothers were like your mother, you never seen a pattern, just them sitting in their favorite chair and "flicking" that hook and creating the most beautiful doilies, tablecloths, and so on.
I agree with attaching it to a solid colored fabric that would really enhance the stitches/pattern. Hope that you share the finished project.