I'm sure that you have some good solutions here. Alternate with another pattern and you have a totally different quilt. 9-patches are great to work with, but are boring if left by themselve. Use some pinwheels or other pattern of your choice to snazz up the quilt.

Oooh, I LIKE that idea!

Boy, is your mom lucky! I LOVE the Irish Chain block (uses standard 9-patch alternating with a neutral solid block) OR, more interestingly put together, the double Irish Chain (a 3 fabrics 25-patch). You can see the single, double, and triple Irish Chain variations here (http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/IrishChain/IrishChain.html). I think the suggestion of introducing some pink is a great idea, and/or a nearly white neutral for the alternating plain blocks--fun and lovely! All 3 variations are done in strip sets, so you can knock them out really easily. Good luck and post pictures.