It's a lovely quilt - love the color scheme. Your quilting is very nice, you say you're new to quilting your quilts but you did a great job. Be very proud. I don't like the chalk pencils either, I use the Frixion pens and love them. I have a friend who uses Crayolas washable markers and has never had any problems. I haven't tried them because with my luck I would be the one who has problems with them.