Tag Archives: Tartan Kiwi

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

The Iconic Kiwi + “Little Kiwi” Pillow

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New Zealand, where I am from, is very well-know, of course, for the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, the scenery and its nature. New Zealand has one of the largest native bird populations in the world. The most famous of which is the Kiwi (which for those that don’t know we refer to ourselves as kiwis,  it’s after the bird not the fruit 🙂 ). They are a flightless bird and represented through New Zealand culture:

  • Used to be the character that said Goodnight when the tv channels ended (1981-1994 before Tv went 24 hours)
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  • Used in the popular Kids books – The little Kiwi
    little-kiwi-flies-to-the-rescue-p
  • As the image for “Buying NZ made” products
    nz-made-logo
  • On our coins
    101416355_-com-1950-new-zealand-one-florin-coin---kiwi-bird- images-1 images-2
  • A mascot for the Commonwealth Games
    games_pastGames_1990_Mascot
  • Represented in the symbol for the Royal New Zealand Airforce
    air_force_roundel3…….

The list goes on, obviously we love the little guys. What do you remember as a iconic symbol of your country and childhood???

Why did I cover the significance of a kiwi you might be asking….Well, Juliet over at Tartan Kiwi has had a paper piecing pattern for a kiwi, which I used before in this cushion/pillow and loved!!!
IMG_7005

Well, she is expanding that pattern to do a complete line of New Zealand Native Birds….I am so excited and delighted. She revamped her Kiwi Paper piecing Pattern, and I decided to give it another go, using colors a friend requested.

Finished Kiwi Paper Pieced BlockKiwi_RedBrown_CloseUp

Little Kiwi Pillow TopKiwi_RedBrown

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)

Over the next week, I am going to give a couple more a go and I will post the finished blocks. These are so much fun and definitely helps grow and improv your paper-piecing skills….I have loved them. Hope you give them a go.

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day hosted over @ Lily’s Quilts and Paper Piecing Party over @ Quiet Play.

Lily's Quilts Paper Piecing Party