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Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“What if I let go of my beautiful red balloon?” thought Frannie, the pretty little tabby cat. “The wind will take it up into the blue sky where it will soar above the puffy white clouds. The birds will be amazed at what a wonderful thing it is. People will see it and say, ‘Isn’t that Frannie’s beautiful red balloon?’ ”

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Maybe it will glide over the hill, and when the wind dies down, maybe it will land in a tree in my friend Jessie’s back yard. Maybe Jessie will climb up the tree and get it, and show it to her mother, and her mother will say, ‘Oh Jessie, that balloon looks just right with your pretty dress.’ ”

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“No,” thought Frannie, “I think I will hold on tight to my beautiful red balloon.”

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFrannie’s fur is painted in a multitude of tabby colors….silver gray, buff, ivory, and gold, with black stripes. She has yellow eyes with a touch of green, a pink nose, and pretty white whiskers made from stiffened cotton thread.

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFrannie’s old fashioned dress is soft gold, with little white daisies in a field of red polka dots. Her dress is set off by a red apron with a white scalloped edge tied in a big bow at the back. Her striped kitty tail emerges from the ruffled white petticoats that can be seen below her dress.

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyI hand sculpted Frannie and her balloon from paperclay. There is a little hole through her paw where the wire ‘string’ of the balloon can be inserted or removed. Her skirt swirls behind her as though a gentle wind is blowing. She stands firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFrannie is 9 1/2 inches tall, and 13 inches tall when holding her balloon.

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFrannie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She is hand painting using acrylic paints, and is signed, dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyUpdate: Frannie has already been adopted. Thank you!

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFrannie’s friends are Crybaby (below left) and Millicent (below right).

Crybaby, Frannie, and Millicent, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby and Tuxedo Cat Folk Art Doll Figurines by Max Bailey

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Handmade Winter-themed Holiday Cards by Elizabeth Ruffing

I’ve just put together a few sets of blank cards for the holidays this year, that I might also do as mini prints. Above is “The Rabbit Dances“.

This is “Snowy Night“.

I attached the images to acid-free ivory card stock using acid-free glue to make cards that are 5 by 6 1/2 inches. They are blank inside, and have matching ivory envelopes.

Happy holidays!