Minimom3, Sorry your Mom has that attitude about the quilt. My Mom had a bit of that streak in her, but I think it was because she was brought up to NOT praise kids for good work. Crazy, huh? Your Mom is using the quilt, which is quite nice.
As for telling her friends that you made that 'ratting looking thing', some folks simply don't deal with compliments very well and minimize the subject of the compliment with comments like that. I've heard many people say similar things about 'stuff' I know they love and would have a very hard time parting with...but that compliment shakes them up.