Thanks everyone. This is exactly the feedback I was hoping for.
As for me doing the quilting myself, I don't think so. First, I would have no idea how to even begin to sew. My mother taught my sisters how to sew, even though they seemed to have forgotten all she taught them, and it was something I never seemed interested in. Second, I have enough other hobbies that I never seem to get done without taking on another. I've told Cheryl many times that if she doesn't want to make anything I've designed, it won't offend me at all. This quilt wouldn't be for me, per se, but rather would be for her to experiment with.
As for the inner border, do you think I would be better off just forgetting about the patterned block and putting a contrasting color next to the darker blue, or just a less busy design?
Again, rhanks for the valuable feedback.