A Tui in a Pohutukawa Tree

My inspiration for the Christmas swap this year came from my own back yard.  We have a line of pohutukawa trees (the New Zealand Christmas Tree) at the back of our garden and the tuis love it, they swoop from tree to tree with their loud squawks teasing our cats with "you can't get me".

So here is my version of the tuis in the pohutukawa tree...

Crafted from an old velvet ball gown, some shot silk I picked up at the op shop and some vintage lace from my stash.

Now you would think that may be flattered, but

NO - this was their message, left on a nice clean towel on my washing line.  I think they are laughing at my attempts to replicate something so beautiful.

Well this is what may happen if they don't watch themselves...

P.S. no tuis were harmed in the making of these Christmas decorations.

P.P.S.  If you would like to make your own birds I used the pattern at Spool Sewing as a base and made a few adjustments