Thank you everyone for the suggestions!! Keep em coming - I want this to be amazing. I've made about 10 blankets in the past for people, but this is the one I am the most stressed about. I know she will love it because I made it, but I don't want her to love it just for that reason, I want it to be perfect for her. I've always used SID and I've FMQ'ed only one baby blanket, basically tracing squares and shapes in a panel. I'll try to answer all the questions from previous posts.
Baloonatic - I don't think your opinion is too mean at all, I really appreciate your input and the time you took to post a picture illustrating your thoughts. I had considered that strip across the top, but when I put it up on my design wall it just didn't look good... however, in your photo it does. I may have to re-consider the plan.
The top is approx 42" x 60" so I don't want to lose much length.
It is fairly dark, but I tried using some lighter colors and it just didn't feel right. The top section is a blue and brown, the three panels (starting from left) are a: maroon, purple, green, gold, brown mix / gold, brown mix / green, purple, gold, brown mix. The dark strip is black with small dots of every color in the top, and the bottom panel is brown gold mix with very slight hues of green and purple. The vase is purple, the calla lillies are tan and the batik is a white with tans and pinks mixed in. The centers of the lillies are brown with blue dots.
Is there anything else that I could add as applique or should I just leave it with the flowers? Which by the way, are my favorite part of the whole thing.