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Join Ruffing’s on Facebook, and visit Elizabeth’s blog to enter a giveaway draw

We set up a brand new fan page for Ruffing’s over on Facebook. We’re posting photos of art from each of us, and Elizabeth Ruffing’s videos, and anything new that comes up. Please “become a fan” if you are over that way. To those of you who already became a fan, thanks very much!

Elizabeth is also having a giveaway draw this week, to celebrate her 300th blog post, her 3 year blogging anniversary, and Valentine’s Day too. Please visit this blog post for information on how to entering the draw for “Valentino the Hug Me! Slug”, an original, one-of-a-kind art toy by Elizabeth.

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The Leaning Tower of Fuzz

I thought it might help to have a photo of the colors I currently have available for my fleece “Hug Me! Slugs“, and so I stacked them up. (Note: I’ve updated this photo since the original post, to reflect the colors I currently have.) I’ve realized that colors look different from one computer monitor to the next, but it gives the general idea. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I run out of some, and add others…but for now, it’s something 🙂

When I’m doing a lot of sewing, like I have been this week, or when I’m making things with my hands, activities that don’t require writing or talking, I’ve noticed many times that it seems to turn off the verbal part of my brain. I’ll think in pictures or colors or shapes, or I’ll put things together in my mind. Then I find I don’t have as much to say, or I can’t think of anything to say at all. I find that pretty funny since, normally, I talk quite a bit. I wonder if it’s possible to forget how to talk altogether, if I were to stop talking long enough. If my blog posts become shorter and shorter, you’ll know what happened!

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Trying out some new feet

Beulah Bunny, original miniature bunny rabbit art doll by Max BaileyI’ve been trying out some new presser feet for my sewing machine. That’s little Beulah Bunny, enjoying her new apron pocket. Husqvarna Viking keeps coming out with new, clear versions of their presser feet, which make certain tasks a lot easier. So far, I have their Clear B Edge Stitching Foot, (below left), and their Clear Open Toe Foot, (below right).

Clear edge stitching presser foot, clear open toe presser footThe Clear B Edge Stitching Foot helps guide you along edges while you do decorative stitching. The Open Toe Foot is great for machine appliqué stitching, because you can see where you are going, when you are following a raw edge or a line. Both have a tunnel on the underside to allow the bulk of your decorative stitching to slide through without jamming anything up.

Using a clear edge stitching foot to sew along the edge of a pocketI used a chalk pencil to mark a straight line on my fabric, when I was putting my decorative stitching on my apron pocket. Then I used the Edge Stitching Foot to follow my line. That kept my decorative stitching nice and straight.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

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New Chrysanthemum Flower Baby Fairy Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

“Greta”, my new chrysanthemum flower baby fairy is finished!

She has an antique reproduction baby face of papier mâché. Her head and pointed ears are paperclay, and her body is 100% cotton cloth. Her pale green butterfly wings with yellow spots are hand quilted and she is entirely hand painted with acrylic paint. She will be sealed with matte varnish for protection.
She has hidden button joints which make her posable, just like “Rosa” who left for her new home at the beginning of this week. I managed to get a few pictures of them together before she left on her journey.
Greta has an oak-colored stand that lifts her in the air so she can practice flying, and running through the air. She enjoys that.
Update: Greta and Rosa have been adopted. Thank you!
I’m also introducing some mini art plaques. I’ve painted 6 by 6 inch solid poplar wood to coordinate with my artwork and mounted several reproductions of my original watercolors on them. Above are “The Fairy and the Dove” and “Fairies and Butterflies“.
Clockwise from the upper left these are “The Guardian“, “Laurence with Primroses and Daffodils“, “Iris and Foxgloves“, and “The Rabbit Dances“. They are all made using archival grade materials and I will be varnishing them for further protection. Prints of these images are available on our website.