The Leader in Me Tree Quilt

Hello Friends,

I have just got back from my Daughter's school where I presented them with a signature quilt the kids helped make.  The school is following a program called The Leader in Me.  I was excited to help create a quilt that will hang in the school entry.

I sent fabric squares for each student to school along with a Fabric Signature Pen.  I used a Tee Juice Pen (I should say, several pens).  Pre-school and Kindergarten signed their names to the pieces for bark.  And 1st - 4th grade were all the leaves.

The kids signed their names to the block and cut out the leaf shape they wanted on the tree.
I collected all the leaves and bark pieces and appliquéd them to the tree.  I thought the tree needed a little color, so I made the ribbon and blue birds.  The school mascot is a red bulldog, so after many attempts of drawing a bulldog, this one was the best version.

Around the border of the quilt, I quilted the Seven Habits that the school uses in The Leader in Me program. 

How many leaves?  I lost count.  But there is about 420 students and I added a few blank leaves and bark pieces, so that if anyone is missing, we can have them sign it and not be left out.  

How many stitches?  A gazillion.  But now I have the appliqué bug again, and have been looking for some more things to stitch down.

Thanks for letting me share.

Cathy