Tag Archives: paper piecing

Yellow-eyed Penguin – paper piecing

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Juliet @ Tartan Kiwi (her blog is here) has done another amazing job and created a new paper piecing pattern for the little Yellow-eyed Penguin.

The yellow-eyed penguin is one of New Zealand’s native birds, considered endangered and one of the world’s rarest penguins. I think he is very cute, I love the yellow eyes and the plumage coloring.Yellow_Penguin_Eye_to_Eye
(Photo/Image from http://mesh.biology.washington.edu/penguinProject/yelloweyed)

Here is how my 10×10″ block turned out. The pattern is 12×12″ and I used the 84% when printing. All the fabric I used were scraps taken from my scrap bin, except for the background where I used a fat quarter of “Hands on Deck, aqua”  by Maritime Modern for Riley Blake with solid scraps.

YellowEyedPenguin_FullBlock

The penguin was a delight to make up. Juliet’s pattern is not for a beginner and definitely offered a challenge, especially the A block – the head.YellowEyedPenguin_CloseUp

The head has several small pieces around the eye. You might be able to see it here in the close-up. Around the eye are 6 yellow pieces….this was the second attempt. I love the personality of this penguin’ s face.YellowEyedPenguin_Eye

She has a giveaway for her kea pattern if you want to go out check out her blog. Don’t forget to check out Juliet’s pattern page on Craftsy.

I plan making most of Juliet’s NZ native birds, here are some of the posts so far:

  • Kiwi
  • Kea
  • Yellow-eyed Penguin
  • Pukeko (underway)
  • Fantail (coming soon)

I am linking up with Kristy @ Quiet Play for her Paper-Piecing party.

Paper Piecing Party

Weekend Finishes {12.08.2013}

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Have you ever had one of those weekends when you have these lofty plans and ideas of what you will get finished….and you just never quite get there? Yes, that was my weekend.

I had lofty plans to complete:

  • A couple of blocks (2 paper pieced blocks)
  • 6 chair bags
  • Finish 1 kiwi pillow
  • Start 2 pillows/ cushions
  • Attend a sew-in for my MQG monthly meeting

What did I get done (besides the washing and grocery shopping)??

Finished the Little Scrappy Kiwi Pillow 
See this post on materials used, the paper piecing design is by Juliet @ Tartan Kiwi.
KiwiPillow_Front_Finish

Backing: Kona Red cotton, and Diamonds in Red, Textured Basics, designed by Patty Young for Michael Miller. Invisible zip used as the pillow closing.KiwiPillow_Back

Sold on Etsy today – all ready to ship tomorrow.
KiwiPillow_Packed

Finished 2nd set of Chair Bags
Main Pocket: Custom Balloon print “Up, Up and Away” designed by Tamara Serrao and available from Spoonflower.com (printed on Kona Cotton). It is lined with Robert Kaufman Orange corduroy.

Middle Pocket: Is divided into two pockets, and made with Robin Zingone, Flirty Flowers Pink Tonal Dots quilting fabric topped with pink binding.

Back: is made with Robert Kaufman Orange corduroy.
ChairBags_BalloonsOrangeFront

Ok, can someone chime in – how do you photograph neon colors? Yes, that Orange corduroy is neon orange. The photos were taken in natural light – I tried playing around with them a bit but this is the best I could get the corduroy to look. Maybe, this is what I will master for Beth @ Plum and June’s Quilt Photography Workshop challenge this month.

Plum and June

The chair bags/ chair pockets are now available on my Etsy store.

ChairBags_BalloonsOrangeStuffed

So that was it…a long way from my plan but not too bad, at least I had some finishes. Right?

Actually, thinking about it now, my whole last week was like that, never seeming to keep up with the plan. The best thing about last week though, is I caught up on posting all the items I needed to on Thursday. Those folks expecting things from me, should be receiving them this week (unless you are international).

I will be linking up with Janice @ Better off thread for Sew Cute Tuesday.

Better Off Thread

 

Curiosity killed the…..Kea??

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The Kea is the second native New Zealand bird pattern that I have completed from Juliet @ Tartan Kiwi. Along with each pattern, I want to introduce you to the wonderful bird’s she has based her patterns on. So the kea….

…Is a mischievous kea, is the world’s only alpine parrot and can be found in the forest and alpine areas of the West coast of the South Island in New Zealand. It is considered an endangered species.  If you are sight-seeing around Milford track/tunnel, you are definitely likely to see the naturally curious and intelligent Kea;  an olive green bird with an amazing orange plumage under the wings.

Kea

"The Kea is a parrot species widely regarded as the most intelligent in the bird 
world" photographer: Ian Trafford (cited from: www.travelwithachallenge.com)

A warning though if you are driving a car – all I can say is I hope you have good insurance, they have been known to tug and pull on car aerials, and peel off rubber door seals and chew through wiper blades.

Due its curiosity and mischievous behaviors, the kea is not as loved as many of the other native birds, in fact, it has in the past been considered a pest/thread of sheep stock which lead to its endangered status. It is probably one of 4 most recognized New Zealand birds (Kiwi, Tui and Fantail being the other 3, in my opinion) and is one of the 87% of New Zealand birds that are endemic to New Zealand.

Now, that you have some background, onto the paper pieced block. Juliet asked for testers of her new block series on native birds….I jumped at the chance. Her new block was the kea. This block was a lot of fun and definitely has intricate piecing if you are looking to improve your technique it is one to try. I loved how the block turned out. It shows off the prancing of the kea perfectly!!

Kea Block with an outside shotKea_Outside

Inside Close-upKea_InsideView

Her other paper piecing patterns for New Zealand Birds are available on Craftsy and include:

  • Kiwi (free pattern)
  • Pukeko (free pattern)
  • Kea (soon to be available)
  • Fantail (soon to be available)

Linking up with Janice for Sew Cute Tuesday @ Better off thread.

Better Off Thread
and Kristy @ Quiet Play, Paper Piecing Party.
Paper Piecing Party