Are You Ready For the A-Word?

I do realize it's already October 5th, and I'm just now posting my block instructions. I should have done it at least a week ago (before I got sick -- whoda thunk?), but the packets are in the mail as I type, and I'm finally sitting down to type up this post.

I'm asking for an applique block . . . I hope you don't mind . . .

The block I've chosen is the traditional block called Laurel Leaves:
I've always wanted a quilt like this, and now's my chance to get one without having to do ALL the work myself! Plus, it'll provide me with great memories of good friends with it having blocks made by others in it -- it'll be even more special than if I just made the whole thing myself, don't you think?

So . . . what you'll find in your packets is the following:

A piece of white background fabric. I sent the background so it would all be alike. I wanted a KONA or Bella white, but those are hard to come by where I live, so I made do with what I had.

A paper pattern representing 1/4 of the design, and a plastic template for the leaf. The template is heat-resistant plastic, so if you use a method that requires ironing around the piece, you're good to go. You DO need to add seam allowance.

A red strip to use for the vines. I just included this because I thought it'd be easier for you to get started if you didn't have to make your own vine. That way you can concentrate on leaves . . . 32 of those buggers, to be exact. Please don't panic!

Here's what I'd like to have happen:

I'd prefer the needle-turn method of applique, but if you just can't stomach that, use your own favorite method -- really, I won't mind. If you haven't tried needle-turn applique before, but would like to give it a shot, I wrote a tutorial in preparation for this post that shows how to do this particular leaf: How to Applique a Leaf.

Use your red scraps to make the leaves, and use all different sorts of reds. I don't care if another color creeps in. As you can see from some of mine, they have specks of white or black in them. Just as long as they read mostly red, they'll be fine. Variety is the main thing. AND . . . feel free, in fact, I'd love it . . . if you piece some of the leaves from even tinier scraps, as you can see that I've done here:
And finally, one more favor before I go . . .

When you send your finished block back, can I ask you to send me a few red scraps along with it? Something you might have been going to just throw away anyway? I'm planning to put an applique border around the edges of the quilt when I get all the blocks back, and if I have some of all of your scraps, I can make some of my leaves for the edges of the quilt out of them and carry lots of the colors from the quilt's center out to the edges (so all the leaves are not just from my fabrics). Totally optional, and not necessary, but I'd really appreciate it . . .

So . . . there you go. If you have any questions, or your packet doesn't arrive, or you don't understand something, or I've left out something important, let me know . . . and Thanks So Much, all of you!!!