Happy Waitangi Day

Today is Waitangi Day, the day we celebrate being New Zealanders living in “God’s Own Country”, often abbreviated to “Godzone”,   a phrase that has been used for more than 120 years by Kiwis to describe their homeland . 

Let me show you the New Zealand inspired quilts I have hanging up.  My NZ bird quilt is currently hanging in the hallway but I did not have room to photograph it properly there, so had to move it outside.  Hand appliquéd  (never again, so much easier by machine) and hand quilted, it features New Zealand native birds, a tuatara lizard, and pohutakawa flowers.  The pattern “Naturally New Zealand” was designed by Mary Fletcher, and I completed this quilt back in 2004.

My New Zealand Bird quilt

Our caravan has two NZ inspired wall hangings.  “My Golden Kiwi” started out as a hand painted panel, purchased at a market some time ago while on holiday.  I added the border and it is machine quilted.

My Golden Kiwi

There is a small (original) wall hanging above the caravan door, appliquéd with New Zealand trees and flax bushes.  Our two kiwis stand in front, one has feathers and the other is made from Matai, a native New Zealand timber.

Kiwis on duty

I am off to view an outdoor quilt show today, what a lovely way to spend Waitangi Day.  I am sure there will be a few New Zealand themed quilts hanging in the breeze, so watch this space for a report tomorrow.  Happy Waitangi Day to all Kiwis, both home and abroad.