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Menagerie

White ducksI was happy to see the sun shining today, not just because it makes me feel more upbeat than I feel on rainy days, but because we’ve been waiting to photograph Max’s new cat art dolls. Max made some smaller cats in dresses, while I’ve been making toys. I still have some Pixie Kitten bodies in progress that I need to finish, but I keep getting orders for toys, which has left Max at the sewing machine. We will be posting our new creations in our Ruffing’s shop.

The ducks enjoy rainy days, and will come visiting no matter. We enjoyed a visit from them this afternoon. They are wandering more, now that the weather has become warmer, the grasses are growing, and there is more to forage.

Light yellow fleece Hug Me Slug by Elizabeth RuffingI finished this light yellow fleece Hug Me Slug today, while Max was busy working on the doll stories to go with the new kitties. I was on a sunshine theme, I think, or it felt like a good day for yellow.

Light yellow fleece Hug Me Slug by Elizabeth RuffingBelow is a sneak peek at Max’s new dolls, Zelda the tuxedo cat, Melody the Siamese, and Amy the white cat. They are about 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches tall. Max made their clothes. I did have a hand in resizing Amy’s pinafore, in between my making slugs. I think they are all very sweet. Once I am finished editing their photos, we’ll put them up in our Ruffing’s shop.

Zelda the Tuxedo Cat, Melody the Siamese Cat, and Amy the White Cat, original one-of-a-kind cat art dolls by Max BaileyWe had an extra assistant today, in the form of Santana the Peeping Tom Cat. Santana is well-known to my Facebook friends. He comes over to our house almost every day, to look in all our windows and doors. I’d never seen anything like that before. He has climbed up on garbage cans to get a look in the kitchen window. He lives one house away, and is apparently very curious about his cat neighbors. Today he was curious about cat dolls. He was even trying to get in the house.

Santana the Peeping Tom Cat comes to help photograph new dollsSome of our cats do not enjoy his visits, but he couldn’t care less, from the look of him. He loves to taunt. He will stare in, or punch at, the doors or windows for as long as he likes. Here are a couple of videos of him taunting one of our cats.

Below is one of my favorite photos of Santana staring in the house from the back door. I love the look of determination on his face. What a character. Surprisingly, since Santana has been watching us, at least two other cats have shown up to look in the doors or windows too. All our cats, and Santana, are fixed, and so it isn’t due to anything like that. I had no idea we were so interesting. One morning recently, the ducks were on the deck looking in the back door too, in the dark of the early morning. I opened the door, and was surprised to find them there. Someday I may open the door and have a rush of animals run inside.

Santana the Peeping Tom Cat stares in our back doorTomorrow, I am heading out on another cat-catching adventure. This time we are picking up little Gyspy for his big vet day. Should be fun. I hope I can get myself up and awake early, with the Daylight Savings Time change!

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A sock kitten and a sleepy slug

Oatmeal tweed Hug Me Sock Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingThis is Feral Cheryl‘s sock brother, Cody II. They came from the same cotton tweed family. Cody II left for Arizona this week.

Oatmeal tweed Hug Me Sock Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingCody II is named after the real cat companion of a very nice lady who collects sock monkeys. She couldn’t imagine her life without her beloved kitty, and so she thought it was only fitting that her sock monkeys should have a kitty companion too. I think that is an excellent idea. I’m sure Cody II is going to have great fun with his new sock monkey friends.

Oatmeal tweed Hug Me Sock Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingCody II also had many Hug Me Slug friends. I had a rush of custom orders for Valentine’s Day, including two Hug Me Slugs for the sons of a friend from way back in high school. She sent me this fantastic photo, taken at bedtime. Slugs need rest too. This one looks very cozy, all nestled in with his new friend. I love this photo.

Hug Me Slugs and Friends banner by Elizabeth RuffingI will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in “our Ruffing’s shop“.

ValentineI am still cleaning up from the Valentine’s Day rush, and still eating chocolate. I love this quilted fabric-covered candy box. I am saving that.

Hand-painted pillow by Sandy MastroniI got some wonderful presents. Above is an original, hand-painted pillow by Sandy Mastroni. I love her kitties especially. The pillow is beautiful, and the extras that came with it are adorable. How cute is that hang tag? And the bookmark too.

Francis Violet by Bit Of Whimsy DollsI also received “Francis Violet” designed and made by Sarah from Bit of Whimsy Dolls. She is the sweetest cat-girl. I got a couple of patterns too, so I can make her a dress and maybe a sister or brother. It is so nice to have handmade work by other artists and craftspeople, and see all the love they put into what they do. I hope everyone will think to try a handmade gift when the time for gift-giving comes around. There is something really special about giving and owning something unique, made by people who are invested in what they are doing. It’s inspiring.

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New Art Doll Photo Prints

Opal the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 1, White Turkish Angora Cat with Lavender-pink ChrysanthemumsOpal the Pixie Kitten, Version 1

We just added new photo prints of our original, one-of-a-kind art dolls. Here are the first of the prints. They are made with the same archival cotton art paper and pigment inks as our other prints, and each comes in a protective cello sleeve. They are all made as they are ordered, one at a time, and are each hand signed.

Opal the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 2, White Turkish Angora Cat with Lavender-pink ChrysanthemumsOpal the Pixie Kitten, Version 2

Opal the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 3, White Turkish Angora Cat with Lavender-pink ChrysanthemumsOpal the Pixie Kitten, Version 3

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 1, Tabby Cat with Golden-yellow ChrysanthemumsCeleste the Pixie Kitten, Version 1

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 2, Tabby Cat, with Golden-yellow ChrysanthemumsCeleste the Pixie Kitten, Version 2

Celeste the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 3, Tabby Cat, with Golden-yellow ChrysanthemumsCeleste the Pixie Kitten, Version 3

Luna the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 1, Siamese Cat with Blue-purple Ageratum FlowersLuna the Pixie Kitten, Version 1

Luna the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 2, Siamese Cat with Blue-purple Ageratum FlowersLuna the Pixie Kitten, Version 2

Luna the Pixie Kitten, Original, One-of-a-kind art doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing, version 3, Siamese Cat with Blue-purple Ageratum FlowersLuna the Pixie Kitten, Version 3

Three Little Kittens, Original, One-of-a-kind art dolls by Max Bailey, photo by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ginger Tabby Cat, Blue Persian Cat, and Calico Cat Original, One-of-a-kind Art DollsThree Little Kittens

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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