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Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre is a lovely Birman cat.

Deirdre doesn’t walk. She wafts. Sometimes she floats. Her silky hair wafts and floats along with her.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyThe first thing you notice about Deirdre are her deep sapphire-blue eyes, looking directly out at you from her dark little face. They are full of mystery and wonder.

“What a pretty kitty!” you can’t help saying.

“I know, but thank you,” she replies, and wonders why you state the obvious. It is more fact than flattery.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyIn spite of her awareness of her very good looks, Deirdre is a sweet and loving soul. She never utters a cross word, and is always patient and gentle.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre wears a lilac-blue pinafore that has a pretty pattern of grape, dark turquoise, and pink. The bib and over-the-shoulder straps are ruffled in the same fabric. Under the pinafore is a medium-blue blouse with flower buttons down the front. The collar and cuffs are pale lavender blue and edged in red-purple scalloped trim.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre’s dark tail emerges from her white bloomers. Her tights are striped in pale lavender blue and red-purple. Tan high-button shoes cover her kitty feet.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre is a one-of-a-kind work of art, created from my own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand-painted with acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre’s paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed so that she can pose. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre’s curled tail enables her to sit demurely all by herself on a shelf or on a table, or in a cabinet. She can also sit on a chair or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.) Deirdre is meant for display only.

Deirdre, Original One-of-a-kind Birman Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyDeirdre is signed and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She is 8 and 1/2 inches tall.

Update: Deirdre has been adopted. Thank you!

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Stuffing stuff

Fleece Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Bugs in process, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThis is what I’m up to this week.

Fleece Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Toads in process, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’d been feeling rundown, and it was nice to sit and watch movies while stuffing toys. I’ve got some Hug Me Slugs, Hug Me Bugs, Hug Me Toads, and a Hug Me Kitten in that mix.

Elizabeth Ruffing cuddling kittyI took at least one day where I mostly rested. Gray days are nice for that.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyWe just posted a new original cat art doll entry on our Ruffing’s site. Marjorie is up on our Ruffing’s blog with more photos. She a miniature Himalayan kitten art doll by Max Bailey. She comes with a cradle so she can nap too.

Kitty cat original one-of-a-kind art dolls by Sandy MastroniThese are original cat art dolls by Sandy Mastroni. I got the one on the left this year for Valentine’s Day, and the one of the right last year. I think I will name the new one Babette. I named last year’s addition Nanette. I ate so much chocolate this time around.

Tabby kitten getting biggerThis is Bertie. She eats everything she can get her paws on. She’s getting so big. She was just eating while lying down, when I took this photo. She likes to experiment with various ways to eat. Sometimes she picks food up with her paw and puts it in her mouth, like a person.

I finally learned how to use the video on my camera, and took some of the kittens. Too big to post here, but I’m glad I finally tried it. It should be fun catching them at play.

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Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max Bailey

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyMarjorie is a lovely miniature Himalayan cat with sapphire-blue eyes that look out at you from her dark little face.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyShe is wearing a rose-colored gown with puffy sleeves and a glamorous ruffle around the neck, edged in blue.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyMarjorie comes with a mahogany-stained dollhouse spindle cradle. The mattress, pillow, and coverlet are soft blue with a darker blue stem pattern and tiny white flowers. She always naps in the afternoon in order to get her beauty rest.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyMarjorie is a one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyShe was sculpted from paperclay in multiple stages, to allow for drying and detailing.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyMarjorie was painted under a magnifying light, with tiny brushes, one hair at a time.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyShe is signed and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyMarjorie and her cradle are 1:12 scale. (One inch equals one foot.)

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyMarjorie stands 1 and 7/8 inches tall.

Marjorie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Himalayan Kitten by Max BaileyUpdate: Marjorie has been adopted. Thank you!

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Slug, bunny, bunny, bunny, slug, bunny, bunny, bunny

Fleece Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Bunnies, all in a row, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI finished some Hug Me Bunnies, and a couple of Hug Me Slugs this week. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Cutting backdrops from assorted sheets, Elizabeth RuffingI had a stack of mostly twin-sized sheets in assorted colors, and I cut a yard of fabric off the bottom of each of them to use as backdrops for my toy photos.

Mint Green Fleece Hug Me Bug, Original Art Toy by Elizabeth RuffingThe bright colors help the tiny thumbnail photos pop, and I know I can see them better.

Green Polka Dotted Fleece Hug Me Slug, Original Art Toy by Elizabeth RuffingI rephotographed some of my Hug Me Bugs too. I haven’t rephotographed all of my toys, but I will continue with more. Ironing each sheet is extra work, but I’m hoping it will be worth doing.

Lavender Fleece Hug Me Bug, Original Art Toy by Elizabeth RuffingI have been sitting in front of the television, watching movies, while I do my hand sewing, or while I stuff toys.

Pink Camouflage Fleece Hug Me Bug, Original Art Toy by Elizabeth RuffingI am reading my way through a book on digital photography, and finished another on Photoshop Elements. I was happy to find I was familiar with most of the information on Elements, because I realized I’ve learned a lot so far, but the photography book has been much too basic to be useful.

Green, Blue, Lavender Rainbow-blend Fleece Hug Me Bunny, Original Art Toy by Elizabeth RuffingLast night, I was looking for my small stamp collection, having seen pretty stamps at the Post Office yesterday afternoon. I found them, and in the same box, I found a box of drawings from a children’s book I had been working on, years ago. I found other drawings I didn’t remember well. I will have to scan them and start organizing them on the computer. I am still hoping to save up for a second computer to put in my workroom, so I can experiment with digital art and writing in a quiet, undisturbed place.

I have been so tired lately. I hope to sleep better and to get a burst of energy.

Millie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Tabby-and-white Kitten by Max BaileyThis super-adorable tabby-and-white kitten doll is by Max Bailey. Her name is Millie. Millie’s story is here on our Ruffing’s blog today.