Oak Reel and Acorns and Cake Stand with Magnolia

As an Elon University graduate, this block holds particular affection for me.  Elon means oak.  When you enter Elon as a freshman, you're given an acorn.  When you graduate, you're given an oak sapling to take with you to remind you off all the lessons (both in the classroom and out) that you learned at the university.  So, yeah...Oak Reel and Acorn -- definitely tugs at my heart and my memories.

This is another of the whole cloth appliques in the Southern Album Quilt.  Again, I strongly advise working on all the heavy applique blocks while you're piecing the other blocks. 

The Cake Stand with Magnolia involves half-square triangles galore and applique.  Remember is you want to do the quick-method half-square triangles you're going to need additional material since you'll have to add 7/8 of an inch to the finished square's size to utilize this method. 

The other thing is to be sure as you're appliquing to put down the pieces in the numerical order that they're listed.  One goes down before two, two before three, etc.  You'll save yourself a world of time and unsewing if you do.