Continuing the study of New Zealand Flora and Fauna….
Flora being – vegitation
Fauna being – animals
This time its the Bird “Tui” and the plant “flax”
I ended up carving myself a stamp:


I found that heating the art lino it was easier to carve.
This is the finished stamp:

After testing it I then got to making the card. I ripped the top printed side of a cruskit box.

Then this is what I ended up with….

I used Stampin Up! ink pads and a water brush to colour the stamped image.
And an additional stamp from Montarga stamps – flax mat – for the background.
Tui – New Zealand Native Bird
Also known as the Pastoral Bird as it is the first of the wild life back to the bush when it starts regenerating after a fire. And also sings in the new day.
Wikipedia says: The English name, Parson Bird, has fallen into disuse but came about because at first glance the bird appears completely black except for a small tuft of white feathers at its neck and a small white wing patch, causing it to resemble a parson in clerical attire.

Image via Wikipedia
Tūī are common throughout New Zealand in forests, towns and on off-shore islands. They are adaptable and are found not only in native forests, bush reserves and bush remnants but also in suburban areas, particularly in winter if there is a flowering gum about. More info here
Personal note: in the last place I rented near town 3 years ago we had a Tui visit our place with its beautiful song when the Kowhai tree flowered…. (that tree will be featured in future post)
Listen to the beautiful Tui song here…. http://www.squidoo.com/new-zealand-native-bird-the-tui#module67665621
I think the Ancient Maori people used the Tui feathers for decorating their cloaks and they also ate them. (they are no longer used this way)
Flax – A long leaf bush
The Maori people used this plant for weaving baskets and mats. It is still used today for the same purpose and also graces many New Zealand gardens. It flowers with a long flower that the Tui loves eating the nectar from.

Image via Wikipedia
New Zealand flax is not a true flax like linen flax (Linum usitatissimum), but related to the day lily. It belongs to the Hemerocallidaceae family and the Phormium genus. It grows naturally only in New Zealand and Norfolk Island – no other country has produced a plant quite like it. There are two confirmed species in New Zealand: Phormium tenax and Phormium cookianum. to learn more click here
Wikipedia also has some great info on the flax and how the Maori people use it. Click here
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Tui and the Flax bush as much as I did….
I’m sure I will continue with this study I am finding heap of info and loving it.
see you again soon!