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Batik Hug Me Slugs handmade stuffed animals and an original art quilt

Stargazer Moon and Stars art quilt from batik fabrics by Elizabeth RuffingYears ago, we collected a box of beautiful batik fabrics for me to use in my art quilt projects, such as “Stargazer” above.

Red and Green Batik Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingI decided recently that I’d try them out on my Hug Me Slugs too. These are my first batik slugs. I had to alter my pattern a few times, to get them the size and shape I wanted them to be, as the cotton fabric handles differently from the fleece I use. I had to make my pattern shorter and wider to get them to be the same size as my fleece slugs.

Green Batik Hug Me Slug Art Toy by Elizabeth RuffingI have three 9-inch batik slugs, and three 7-inch batiks slugs to start. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Orchid and Bright Light Green Fleece Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingOne of the slugs above was named by her adopter in honor of our Josephine! Josephine is such a devoted office assistant. She has been helping me with our orders. As you can see, she keeps tabs on me too, to make sure I do everything right.

Josephine the kitty office assistant at workWhen we are not at the computer, I sit and sew and watch movies. It has been sweltering here. The ducks have been staying mostly on the pond, but we were lucky to have a visit from them last week, along with their new ducklings.

Mother duck with ducklingsWe were amazed these tiny babies made it all the way up the hill. We were delighted that we had the opportunity to see them. We had only seen them for the first time, from across the pond, a day or two before.

Ducklings

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Hug Me Slugs helping cats and kittens

Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingI have twenty 7-inch slugs up for adoption. Five dollars from the sale of each of them will go to a local cat rescue, Alley Cats and Angels of NC. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingI have a limited number of Hug Me Slugs in the 7-inch size, as I pre-cut my fabric to stay organized. Sometimes I have a small piece of fleece, and there is just enough room for a little slug like these, which means there are some unusual prints in with this group too.

Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingSome of these prints are really neat, like these stars, and the stripes below.

Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingThe 7-inch Hug Me Slugs fit right in a toddler’s hand, like this adorable little boy’s.

Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingThese red slugs grew a bit more than I expected, and they are a little taller and more slender than the others. A friend dubbed them “super model slugs” 🙂

Josie the pussycatAs always, Josephine has been helping me, but today, she was extra helpful, obsessively helpful, you might say.

Josie the pussycatShe felt the need to pitch in with my, or “our”, computer work more than usual. She has been an integral part of all my photo editing and posting today.

Josie the pussycatJack has been doing great. He is in a foster home awaiting adoption. Stormy, who is Josephine’s cousin or half-sister’s sister (no one knows for sure as the mamas in their colony were sharing mothering duties), was adopted by Jack’s fosterer. Stormy is crazy about Jack, as you can see in this photo from a couple of weeks ago. Update: Jack has been adopted.

Hug Me Slug Art Toys by Elizabeth RuffingI have more art toys to finish, crowds of them. These custom slugs went out this week. One went to someone on Buckingham Palace Road, in London. I thought that was so cool. Had the slug gone to the actual palace, that would have tickled me tremendously, but she is pretty nearby. I wish people would send me more photos of their slugs in their new homes. I always enjoy that.

I got a new camera this week. The sensor on mine went. I need to learn a whole lot about this new camera! I am looking forward to working on my camera skills. I haven’t even read the manual yet. I was relieved just to be able to take these photos!

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Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Marnie is a Maine Coon cat. She’s not sure where Maine is, but she thinks it’s probably very nice there.

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Marnie likes where she lives. In the winter, the snow doesn’t get very deep, and it’s only cold at night while she sleeps in her warm little bed. In the spring, she tends to her catnip garden and sits on her porch reading about places where she’s never been.

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey “I could go water skiing in Maine,” Marnie announced to her friend one day. “I could go fishing too, and catch lots of great big fish.”

Marnie and Lucinda, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat and Black Cat Art Dolls by Max Bailey “You would get all wet,” her friend replied. “And besides, if you went to Maine, I would miss you.”

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Marnie put her book down. “I would miss you too,” she said. “I guess it’s pretty nice here. I think I’ll go make us some catnip tea.”

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Marnie is wearing a pretty taffy colored pinafore with ruffles that go over her shoulders.

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey It has tiny blue flowers and green leaves, and looks just right with her cream colored blouse with blue bands around the neck, cuffs, and hem.

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Her little kitty feet are covered by tan high-button shoes over blue tights. Under her dress are white pantaloons, from which her striped tail emerges.

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Marnie is an original 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.

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey Marnie’s curled tail enables her to sit prettily all by herself on a shelf or 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.) Marnie is meant for display only.

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

Marnie, Original One-of-a-kind Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyUpdate: Marnie has been adopted! Thank you!

Marnie’s friend is Lucinda the black cat (coming soon).