Pōhatu Penguins Mug Rugs

On the South Island of New Zealand, outside Christchurch near Akaroa, is a place called Pōhatu Penguins. More than 50 years ago, a family bought a farm and discovered that they had essentially purchased a penguin colony. This is the only colony of White-flippered Penguins, a subspecies of the Little Blue Penguin. Since then, they have combined farming with extensive conservation work.

We visited Pōhatu Penguins in February 2024 and again this past December. When we walked into their booking office the first time, I immediately spotted a painting on the wall that I would have loved to buy on the spot, but it was too large to carry home on the plane. The young man behind the counter explained that the artist was his wife and graciously allowed me to take a photo of the painting.

The way she had painted the waves in the background reminded me of quilting, and it has been at the back of my mind ever since to recreate her artwork in fabric.

When we visited again, they had more of her art on display, including a smaller version of the Pōhatu Penguins painting. I was still a bit hesitant about taking it back on the plane, but my husband did not see a problem and promised he would carry it (which he did), so we bought it.

I am still planning on making a wall hanging, but for now I have turned the penguins into mug rugs. I made one as a sample that I am keeping myself. I used contrasting thread for the quilting and did not really like it at first, but it has grown on me, and now that it is bound and finished I am quite happy with it.

I proceeded to make two more, this time using a thread colour for quilting that blends with the background, so it is more about texture. A friend of mine, who is currently travelling in Australia and New Zealand, took them with her and will mail them to Ave, the artist who created the penguin paintings. I felt that if I recreated her art in fabric, I should send her more than just pictures.

If you ever find yourself in Akaroa, be sure you check out Pōhatu Penguins.