Be sure to stabilize your layers by basting around the perimeter and pinning the interior. I find the curved quilter's safety pins the easiest to position. You might need to sharpen them after a few uses. If a quilt is suffiently stabilized, then hand quilting can be done without a hoop. I flatten a section on a little lap desk and then can comfortably hand quilt outside or in an easy chair. Good for arthritic hands!

I think I would do the hand embroidery in black before it is layered. Another solution would be to use pigma pens and outline everything.
Then I would meander with the quilting.
You are getting some good ideas. Lots from which to choose. Have fun.

I love the idea of using counted cross stitch for a pattern. Thanks