The chickens have landed

hich means I can finally reveal the secret project I mentioned ages ago.
In fact, it was two secret projects.  Or possibly just two iterations of the same secret project.  When browsing the internets looking for patterns to feed my new paper-piecing obsession, I came across a lovely chicken pattern that was just crying out to be turned into something.  And as I know two wonderful women with an affection for said feathery beasts, of course I had to make sew chickens for both of them.
And here’s the result:

I’ve still got a lot to learn about the quilting part – as you can see, I tried out a different technique on each, and I’m not 100% happy with how either of them went.  But I’m slowly learning what works and what doesn’t.
Anyway, Mum and Yetzirah, I hope you enjoy your chicken mats (Yetzirah informs me they’re called “Mug Rugs” in America – excellent name!), and that they bring some much-deserved brightness and joy into your tea breaks.