How about echo quilting around each chicken (maybe in a verigated thread) and then go to Leah Day's free motion page and use a different design in each sashing? I am finishing up a small wallhanging of embroidered and appliqued squares from my quilt group friends and did this echo quilt around the designs. It was so much fun. Now I have several designs from Leah Day to use in the sashings and plan to use the same thread color as the fabric so it won't immediately call attention to itself.