Help with quilt challenge.
 

The criteria is a 12 inch block, the theme is the Oak tree. I can`t get inspired, please can you help?

perhaps applique oak leaves and acorns?

Might check out this website for paper pieced trees. Her pattern is for small blocks, but could be enlarged. Trees are down toward the bottom: http://chasenbach.tripod.com/shop/indexeng.html

I saw this somewhere, can't remember where, but I was inspired. It was the trunk of a tree appliqued onto the square. You could sew the ground together with some sky material. Then the leaves were all in fall tones - these were not really leaves, but more oval shaped pieces. They were just put on all over to create the tree top effect.

This looks something like what Sew N Tune was describing. It might give your imagination a nudge.

http://weefolkart.com/content/fallin...s-wall-hanging (Must copy and paste - sorry.)

How about a Sunbonnet Sue on a tree swing. Just make the tree look like an oak. Or she could be raking up leaves that have fallen with lots of fall colors. Those are more applique ideas.

Here's some patterns from Quilter's Cache:

http://www.quilterscache.com/O/OakLeavesBlock.html
http://www.quilterscache.com/T/TreeE...tingBlock.html

http://www.quilterscache.com/T/Treeo...tionBlock.html
http://www.quilterscache.com/T/TreeofParadiseBlock.html

http://www.quilterscache.com/T/TreeofLifeBlock.html
http://www.quilterscache.com/T/TreesintheParkBlock.html

Or it can be whatever thinking of an oak tree reminds you of. I think of squirrels gathering the fallen acorns for winter. Or a summer picnic in the shade of a large oak tree at my Grandma's farm.

Good luck. I have the same problem with my guild challenge this year for a block on "freedom".