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Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyIt’s very easy to guess Daisy’s favorite flower. Daisies grow all around her cottage, and on summer mornings you may see her walking about admiring each and every one of them as they bend and tilt in the gentle breeze.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyNow and then Daisy picks one, and carries it with her until she goes back into the house. She puts it in a vase on the kitchen table, which is covered with a daisy tablecloth.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyA friend of Daisy’s once asked her if she knew the little game of “loves me, loves me not”, in which you pluck one petal at a time from a daisy, and the last remaining petal tells you whether or not you are loved.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyDaisy puzzled about it for a minute. Then she said “Why would I do that to a daisy? Besides, everybody loves me!”

Daisy, of course, was right. She loves everybody, and everybody loves her.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyDaisy is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. I sculpted Daisy and her flower from paperclay, and hand painted her with acrylic paints.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyDaisy’s old-fashioned dress is painted in soft blue with a pale hydrangea blue pocket and polka dots. The ruffles around her neckline and pocket are painted soft ivory to match the petticoats that show below her hemline.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyDaisy is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyDaisy is 5 and 7/8 inches tall. She comes with a hang tag, a certificate of authenticity, and a copy of her story.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Doll Figurine by Max BaileyUpdate: Daisy has been adopted. Thank you!

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Lots of soft and fuzzy

Stack of fleece colors for Hug Me! SlugsI cut out a gargantuan pile of fleece over the past two days. I’m not sure how long it will take me to turn this into toys, maybe a couple of years! And that isn’t all of it.

Stacks of fleece colors for Hug Me! SlugsI cut out fleece in two sizes. I think I have plenty now.

Daisy the Dachshund, Original One-of-a-kind Dog Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyI also got Daisy the Dachshund’s web page up today. Daisy is one of Max Bailey’s original, one-of-a-kind art doll figurines. To me, her eyes look very soulful, just like a real Dachshund’s eyes. There is a little Dachshund who lives near us who likes me to rub her belly. She looks just like Daisy, only she doesn’t wear dresses, which is good because she would look very undignified rolling on her back with her paws up in the air, while wearing a dress.

Sunny, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsI got to pet some kittens last weekend too. Marie’s camera has a broken part, and so I went over with mine. It’s easier for me to get a clear photo, the more light I have, and so we tried stepping out the back door for some. These are indoor-only rescue kittens. Sunny didn’t care for the great outdoors at all. We couldn’t blame her, since she had had a bad head wound from an animal bite. It has healed up amazingly well with all the care she has gotten through the rescue group. She is one lucky girl.

Sunny, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsOnce we went back inside, she was happy again, and got right back to playing.

Frosty, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsThis is Frosty (Update: Frosty is now our very own Josephine!), Sunny’s little sister, from another litter with the same Shoeshoe father. She’d only had human contact for a few days, but you’d never know it. She was very cuddly and sweet. I sat and held her for a long time. Her blue eyes are so sad and beautiful.

Frosty, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsWindy, Sunny’s sister, below, was the only one of our subjects who actually enjoyed the sun on her face. She turned into a purring puddle o’ Windy. Frosty started to doze off a bit too. Maybe it was the fuzzy blanket.

Windy, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsWe got them back in the house as soon as we could, and they all got Trader Joe’s Bench & Field Holistic Feline Treats. I’d never seen these before, and they all went cuckoo for them, chasing them across the floor, and hunting them down. I picked some up later, and our kitties went crazy for them too. Windy and her other sister, Cloudy, stopped to play with a stray litter pellet while hunting for cat treats. Marie says those are their favorite toys, even though they have bunches of cat toys.

Windy and Cloudy, kittens from Alley Cats and AngelsThey must have thought I was a giant cat toy. They all checked out my sneakers, very thoroughly. Sunny also inspected my camera. I kept getting “camera shake” only to discover her swinging from my lens cap. She is definitely going to be a helper cat.

Windy and Cloudy, kittens from Alley Cats and AngelsStormy, from the same litter as Sunny, Windy, and Cloudy, was very timid, but she still came out for treats and toys. She wanted to select one of her own from the toy bag. All the girls were really sweet, and I had a lot of fun visiting. Marie is really nice too. I put more kittens photos up on my Flickr page.

Stormy, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsAfter playing, and petting, and cuddling with kittens, it’s a wonder I didn’t take them all home with me, but we do have a full house here too. My kitties wanted to know where I’d been. My sneakers were probably thoroughly sniffed on my return too.

Windy, kitten from Alley Cats and AngelsThese kittens will be adopted out when they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Please consider adopting a pet, and please spay and neuter your pets.

Stormy, Cloudy, and Sunny, kittens from Alley Cats and Angels

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Holiday poll

I was wishing out loud today, that I had more of an idea of what people might like to see from us for the holidays. I have a few weeks ahead where I will be busy, but I’m never quite sure where exactly to best direct my attention.

Pixie Kittens, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Fairy Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingPixie Kittens

Of course, most of my attention will go toward projects I am already working on, but I always find myself short on something someone wishes he or she could have when the holidays come near. A friend suggested I try a poll, and so I am leaving one at the end of this post.

Hug Me! Slugs, Original Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingHug Me! Slugs

If you are considering doing some holiday shopping with us, please take a moment to let me know where your interests may be. I will try to have some of everything, but I never can predict. Of course, if you are here just to read and look at what I’m up to, that is great too. This is just to give me an idea of what I might want to have more of by holiday time.

Hug Me! Sock Kittens, Original Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingHug Me! Sock Kittens

I am bound to throw in some things not on the list too, if I have the time. Last year I got in a crunch where I was barely leaving the house for a couple of weeks. So, I’d like to try to be a little more prepared, if I can.

Hug Me! Toads, Original Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingHug Me! Toads

If there is something else you’ve been hoping to see more of, please feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email. I received a very nice email today asking if I’ll be coming out with more paintings, and the answer is yes, I will. I’ve got a bunch in various stages, although I’m not sure when I’ll have them ready to post. I tend to start so many projects that sometimes it takes me a while to circle back around and finish them.

Hug Me! Hippo, Original Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingHug Me! Hippo

So, here it is…my first poll. Thanks for the input!

[poll id=”2″]

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Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste is a cheerful, mischievous little sprite. She’s been known to appear when you least expect her.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingFrom far away, Celeste can hear the flowers swaying to the music of the soft summer breeze. She loves music, and the color yellow.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste hovers over the flowers, and flies in amongst them, encouraging each and every bloom to be as beautiful as it can be. Her golden tutu floats around her body like a gauzy, magical cloud.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingIf you are out in the garden, Celeste may startle you. It’s very like her to suddenly emerge, and then just as suddenly disappear.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingYou might think you just saw a yellow butterfly, perhaps a tiger swallowtail. It was probably Celeste, playfully flitting from place to place, bringing her blessings and funny little tricks to all those who are fond of her.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from our own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. She is 8 and 3/4 inches tall, and 6 inches tall when seated.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste’s arms and legs are button-jointed with antique-looking, filigreed silver-colored metal buttons, so she can easily pose. Her tabby kitten face was sculpted from paperclay, smoothed into her fabric head. Her front paws are needle-sculpted, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste has a striped curly tail than enables her to sit all by herself on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She will also sit on a chair or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.) Celeste is meant for display only.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste is wearing a delightful tutu made from layers of tulle in two shades of gold. It has a hand-sewn waistband of soft gold that snaps at the back, and has an coral satin rose at the center. Her magical wings are made from cotton fabric, and are completely hand-quilted.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste’s bodysuit is painted in a rich gold color, with a half moon of painted flowers decorating the neckline. Her ballet shoes are painted in rich pumpkin brown to match the same color in her wings.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingCeleste is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She comes with a hang tag, a certificate of authenticity, and a copy of her story.

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingUpdate: Celeste has been adopted. Thank you!

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing