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kiwienzian.bsky.social
Heather R
@kiwienzian.bsky.social
210 followers 130 following 820 posts
Aotearoa; founder of Just Kai (justkai.org.nz); sustainability; chronic illness; she/her. I long for a world where everyone has the same opportunities I have.
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Reposted by Heather R
longcovidadvoc.com
🧵 Rest in power, Alice Wong. @sfdirewolf.bsky.social A trailblazer, a fierce advocate, and a relentless voice for disability rights. Her work changed the landscape for so many. /1
Woman with dark hair and bright red lipstick, wearing a royal blue cardigan over a black shirt and shiny black puffer pants, seated in a motorized wheelchair with tubing from medical equipment visible, holds up a copy of "Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life" by Alice Wong.
November 15, 2025 at 7:52 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
A busy but satisfying day today, getting ready to talk about slave-free food for JustKai.org.nz at the Grey Lynn Park Festival next weekend :-)
A cardboard box containing boxes of raspberry dark chocolate from Bennettos - these are tasting samples to give away :-) A banana box overflowing with groceries that have slave-free supply chains. You can see Kingfisher prawns, L'affare coffee, Guylian chocs, Coke, Bundabery, Kokako drinking chocolate and more. A collection of posters. One is soliciting volunteers, one says '20% of chocolate is grown by kids' on says 'men work without pay on tuna fishing boats' and one has various QR codes.
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Reposted by Heather R
thesewphist.bsky.social
Is it wrong that I’m just a little bit chuffed with myself with the way these are turning out? I really like the round birds and the pōhutukawa in particular.

Investing in the equipment to print these ourselves was a good decision. 🤩
birdandbeach.bsky.social Bird and Beach @birdandbeach.bsky.social · 8d
We just had a whole pile of blank coasters delivered, which means it’s sneak peek time! These are some of the new designs that we’ll be launching very soon…
Kākāriki and kākā round coasters are illustrated head shots of these native birds. Kōwhai ngutukākã in a wreath on a square coaster, and a detail section of my pōhutukawa illustration, also on a square coaster. Orange and red nasturtiums on a pale green background and a bunch of hot pink roses on a lighter pink background. Both are printed on square coasters.
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by Heather R
birdandbeach.bsky.social
Speaking of coasters, did e we ever show you the presentation boxes that the sets of 4 come in? We’re very into slow production here, so we designed the boxes so that we can run the printed sheets through our cutting machine, and then fold and glue the them ourselves.
Boxed sets of coasters, one featuring illustrations of Wellington landscapes (Oriental Bay shown here) and native birds (kākāriki showing). The front of the boxes are matched to the theme of the contents.
November 12, 2025 at 5:21 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
I've finished the hats I've been making for my neighbours' twin babies. Now need to get over my cold so I can go and meet them! I've got Bill the Cat modelling one in the meantime :-)
Tall and skinny orange soft toy cat with his tongue hanging out models a green hat with blue fabric inside the brim and yellow stars around the crown. Two baby hats on a black cloth - one green and one blue. They have yellow stars around the crowns and red ribbons to tie them on. The same two hats with their brims turned up.
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
Glorious summer weather in Tāmaki Makaurau today :-)
A balcony with a person in a hammock - glorious blue sky with a few streaky clouds behind.
November 3, 2025 at 5:53 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
Yesterday I spotted two huge bird of paradise bushes near our new place. I suspect they were self-seeded as they were tucked away behind some other bushes on public land. I'm very much enjoying the three blooms I picked - the middle one was a bud picked in error, but it's started to open already.
Three large dramatic orange and purple bird of paradise flowers in a large green and blue vase. There are also ox-eye daisies in the vase. The vase is on a metal tray and there's a bookcase, heater and chair in the background.
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
@birdandbeach.bsky.social what a delightful surprise and honour!
Package wrapped in cardboard with beautiful striped string and a note saying I was bird and beach's first customer :-)
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
This is epic!!
derek.bike derek van vliet @derek.bike · 23d
while you were studying the blade, me and my mutuals were doing this
October 27, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Heather R
birdandbeach.bsky.social
Hey - guess who just had a hmmm and realised that tomorrow is a public holiday, and if I don't want to spend the day sorting out my fabric order, I could just keep tea towel pre-orders open for another day...
Because I wouldn't want you to miss out on the new Absurbirdies - Kiwi on the Couch & IYKYK
October 26, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Reposted by Heather R
birdandbeach.bsky.social
Did you see the news?

Birdandbeach.co.nz is live!

We have the 2026 Calendars ready to go, and as a special treat, tea towel pre-orders are live right now through until Sunday 26 Oct. There are 4 new designs to complement the ones we used to offer as @thesewphist.bsky.social.

Go check it out!
Montage of the Front cover (Oriental Bay, Wellington); back cover - 12 thumbnails of illustrations of landmarks across the motu; and the May and December pages, showing Lake Wakatipu and Rangitoto Island. All art copyright Ryan Nielson. Pōhutukawa tea towel, featuring an illustration of a massive pōhutukawa in full bloom by Elisabeth AKA The Sewphist. Illustration copyright Elisabeth Witbrock. Elisabeth's latest Absurbirdie tea towel features a rotund kiwi, kicking back on the couch watching telly, curled up with a small grey tabby cat.
October 21, 2025 at 4:20 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
A bit later than usual due to moving house (we aim for late September), but 2025's Christmas cakes are out of the oven :-)
Four cakes in a row on a benchtop - alternating large square ones and loaf ones. In the background are a couple of pots and two Christmas cake muffins (there were actually four of those - one is hiding and one has been eaten!).
October 18, 2025 at 5:48 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
We've recently moved ad today I went for a wander in my nearest park, Chalmers Reserve. I was delighted to discover a lovely bushy glade that was a great spot for a think :-) I was less delighted to discover and remove a bunch of rubbish - including 6 disposable nappies :-(
A fairly open patch of ground with native trees and brush. A fairly open patch of ground with native trees and brush.
October 6, 2025 at 7:07 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
Such a gorgeous wee fellow!
kats-garden.nz Kat 👩‍🌾 @kats-garden.nz · Aug 1
I think he's done! Phew!
Felted fantail with view below wings. Front-on shot of felted fantail. Top view showing wings and tail of felted fantail.
August 2, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Heather R
memycoffeenbonsai.bsky.social
🇳🇿🌱
growfromhere.bsky.social Grow From Here @growfromhere.bsky.social · Jul 24
WINTER OFFER 2025

We are offering a winter special of a garden consult, valued at $120, with 2 hrs labour valued at $45 per hr for the discounted price of $150 so you save $60.

A plan for your garden and a quick clean up.
Contact Kaye Growfromhere@gmail.com
Conditions apply valid to 25/8
July 24, 2025 at 2:43 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
Very excited to see all my coelogyne cristata orchids have developed flower spikes! I divided my original plant into four last year (of which three took), and expected the babies not to flower for a few years. So pleased to be wrong! Second image is the parent plant in bloom a year ago.
Three plants on a windowsill, each in a pot that's in a secondary containment pot. Plants are made up of oval nodules and long grassy leaves. Each has a flower spike emerging. A similar plant on a windowsill with cascading delicate frilly white orchid flowers. They have yellow centres. This is the parent plant and the pot is very crowded.
July 18, 2025 at 9:09 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
Love this :-)
July 10, 2025 at 8:05 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
My fitness has been improving and last week my husband and managed to bike the 35km-ish from Manukau train station to Waitawa Regional Park for some camping. Very satisfying, and a refreshing break! blog.puriri.nz/2025/07/camp...
Camping at Waitawa
Personal blog for Heather and Martin
blog.puriri.nz
July 10, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Reposted by Heather R
thesewphist.bsky.social
Whoops, I might have ended up sewing longer than intended, but here is what got stitched this evening. 17 tea towels, all of my own design.

If you want a closer look at the designs, feel free to have a browse at www.thesewphist.com/product-cate...

I have most designs in stock at the moment.
A pile of 17 tea towels folded and draped over my arm in front of my sewing machine.
June 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Heather R
notjustdna.bsky.social
Great little video -
abbyjane.cloverdalelane.com Abby Jane 🌙 🏳️‍⚧️ @abbyjane.cloverdalelane.com · Jun 16
Ok, this fucking rocks. Everyone should be able to use the bathroom when they're out and about.
June 16, 2025 at 10:07 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
I have a silk skirt that's strained at the seam, leading to rips I can't mend conventionally so I'm having a go at #sashiko #VisibleMending. I'm probably going to do the hemp flower all around, but for now I've just put that where it most needs strengthening. Will do more if it holds up to wearing!
A person wearing a red top and a purplish layered skirt. The topmost layer has orange lines embroidered on it. A close=up of part of that top band, showing flowers embroidered over a ripped-and-repaired seam. A closeup of the whole front, showing a diamond pattern (horizontally) and vertical lines, all worked in orange. The inside of the skirt, showing orange/red fabric that's been attached to the inside to strengthen it.
June 12, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Reposted by Heather R
tomgauld.bsky.social
My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com
A six panel cartoon. Panel one: Title: Learn to read with Physics Lesson One: two and three-letter words (image of a smiling book and particle) Panel two: A friendly scientist enters a colourful lab carryinh a coiffee and papers. Text: The Doc is in the lab. Panel three: She has put on eye protectors and started a machine Text: She put on the ion ray. Panel four: The machine has caused a small fire. She looks aghast. Text: Pop! The ray lit the gas. Panel five: She runs from the burning lab Text: The lab is too hot! Panel six: She sits on the grass. In the background the ruins of the lab smoulder. Text: The Doc is sad.
June 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
kiwienzian.bsky.social
Not the answer to your question, please ignore if not helpful. I have this one and have found it works well and it's super-cheap so may be something you could afford to just buy: www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplac...
Trade Me
www.trademe.co.nz
June 4, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Reposted by Heather R
thesewphist.bsky.social
Oh hey, it’s just a video of me, making lampshades for a customer from fabric that I also designed myself.

This customer liked the kākāriki design so much they ordered 3 of them!

Would you like me to make you one (or more)? Here’s where you can order online! www.thesewphist.com/product-cate...
May 29, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Reposted by Heather R
thesewphist.bsky.social
With the change of seasons, the days get shorter, the nights longer; it's time to think about lighting in your home. Shades can make a real difference to ambience, so why not make a statement with your lamps or ceiling?

I hand make native bird shades, to order.

www.thesewphist.com/product-cate...
Image of a large pendant lampshade covered in a repeating pattern of tūī on a pale blue background. The text reads "Your new lightshade? Bespoke handmade shades. Original native bird designs. Order the perfect shade for your home.
May 24, 2025 at 7:03 AM