Sword and Shield Paper Pieced I need help!

My son would like me to make the following sword and shield quilt and has created 2 paper pieced patterns.  I tried to make the shield but it was too hard for me.  Since neither James or I have experience with paper pieced things we need to know if the pattern is too complicated.  The material we ordered for the sword showed up today so I have not yet tried that but it seems much less complicated so should be easy I think to make.

Sword Pattern 

Shield Pattern 

(Tanya laughed at me Shield is spelled wrong on our pattern, So no laughing.  No I mean it No Laughing.)

Here is a mock up of the quilt.  We have bought material just nee help advice so we can make the quilt.  If any of you have experience in paper piecing we could use your help.

If any one is interested in trying to make either of the swords or shields I was thinking I could collect donation blocks and make a quilt (assuming I get enough blocks) for the Autism School that Jared goes too (and James went too) for their auction in March.  If your interested in making one or more blocks to donate  let me know.  If you just want to make one and send us a picture that would be great too (with any suggestions to improve pattern if you have any)

So any way this is my Quilting Challenge if any one wants to take me up on it?

Here is a list of all those that have contacted me with completed blocks.
Fun Threads Designs Sword and Shield Completed

Richard Quilts - Quilting Challenge #1

If you have followed my blog or I have followed your blog for long you know by now that I like to talk and email and blog and of course quilt.  And I am up to any challenge that can be given.  While today with the encouragement of http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/ I mentioned to Marcia a while back about these chairs I found.  At work I am a Computer Programmer and we just happened to move offices I went from a Cubicle to a actual office.  And as such I needed some guest chairs (you know just in case some one wants to visit me).  When we moved into the building (A old building which has not been updated in quite a while) In our break room sat these chairs.  Or Accountant commented how hideous they were and they just had to go.  I could not believe they wanted to toss them so I graded the 2 of them and rescued them.

I love contests and giveaways (as I am sure some have noticed I enter every one I see) I would like to have a Challenge that includes prizes and taking strait from Marcia's Idea the first one I would like every one that would like to enter to create a block inspired by these chairs.  I would like you to send me the blocks (this is your entry into the contest) I will sew those blocks together and every one that enters will have a name put into the drawing (one chance per block you can make more then 1 block) Once I have enough blocks to make a quilt top (we can do Lap Quilts for this first challenge)  If we can get enough people to send in blocks we can have multiple quilts.

So to be clear 1 block 1 entry.  I will sew the quilt top together and those that join the challenge can win the quilt top (you will need to complete your top you win on your own).  

The blocks do not need to exactly match the chair just be inspired by it  The X block for example could be pieced or raw edge applique.  If you are not interested in making a block and entering it to win a quilt I still challenge you to make something based off the chair.  This is purely for fun.  I have created a flicker group that you can post completed blocks in or talk more about this.  I would like to do this at least monthly but could do more often based on your desires.  http://www.flickr.com/groups/richardquiltschallenge/ is the flicker group join up if your interested.  Either way leave a comment here letting me know if this is a good idea or if I am just crazy (My wife would tell you I am just crazy but look at all those quilts I have made)

Thanks Richard Healey