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Hippos and ducklings

Here are some better photos of “Hilda the Hug Me! Hippo”, my sock hippopotamus. You can see her hand-embroidered eyes, nose, and mouth, which I did by winging it with some embroidery floss.

I even gave her some eyelashes, and some tufts on the end of her little tail.

Her posture is pretty funny too. I think I might just keep her!

The ducks showed up with some babies! Two sets, on different occasions, so far.

Their mama likes to talk to me. She will walk right up to me and quack, quack, quack. She’s the same duck who ran into some trouble before, the one we caught in a sheet so I could remove some fishing line from her leg. She seems to know me. Sometimes she will just sit and look at me for a while, tilting her head this way and that. She’s very sweet.

We’ve only seen one duckling today, and we’re hoping the others are hiding down by the pond with the other mama duck. They don’t all leave the pond together lately. Some stay behind. The ducklings in the other set are smaller, and I haven’t seen them myself yet. I’ve only heard about them.

It’s a big trip for them. They will just fall asleep in place while the other ducks are standing nearby. If anyone slows down long enough, it’s nap time.

Update: Just as I was posting this, one of the missing ducks appeared limping badly, unable to make it up the hill. We caught him in a sheet and found he had a long fishing hook stuck in his leg. We couldn’t get it out, but managed to cut it off so it won’t get snagged on anything. We poured some peroxide on the wound, but there is only one avian vet we know of who was willing to help last time, and he isn’t open at this hour. So, we will have to wait and see. Please everyone…pick up your stuff and dispose of it properly when you leave a place. Garbage and leftover fishing hooks and fishing line cause so much suffering.

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Sixteen slugs and a sock hippo

I’m pretty proud of myself this week. I actually sewed up all sixteen of those toys I cut out and fused. It’s been too unpredictable outside to get some better photos, but here is my new batch of “Hug Me! Slugs”, all lining up for their school photos. Maybe tomorrow, kids.

I also made “Hilda the Hug Me! Hippo”, my sock hippopotamus. She’s quite a bit larger than the slugs I made this week. I keep picking her up and carrying her around. She just asks and asks. So, what can I do?

We watched a cute movie this weekend, Lost in Austen. For anyone who enjoys Jane Austen, it is a miniseries takeoff of the novel and a entertaining spin on the miniseries Pride and Prejudice. A modern woman finds a door in her bathroom that leads directly into the Bennets’ house, switches places with Elizabeth, and inadvertently disrupts the order of everything. They must have cut out this scene from the version we watched:

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Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily is a ginger tabby cat with amber-colored eyes that reflect her very sweet personality.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingOne of her favorite toys is a little gray elephant she calls Edwin.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing“Edwin, you need your exercise,” she will say to the sleepy-looking elephant.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily then grabs his cord and goes tearing at full speed through the house. She likes to hear the clatter of his wooden wheels on the hard floors. She also likes the thumpity-bump sound he makes when she pulls him up the stairs, and the bumpity-thump sound he makes when she pulls him down the stairs.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEdwin is endlessly entertaining, and, despite all the bumping and thumping, is none the worse for wear. He’s made of painted wood. His base is country blue with golden wheels. His blanket has gold tassels and multicolored stripes. Emily pulls him by a hemp cord decorated with red and blue wooden balls. He’s 3 inches long and 2 3/8 inches tall.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily 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 13 inches tall.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily’s paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. Emily’s curly orange striped tail helps her to sit perfectly upright all by herself on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She will also sit nicely in a chair, or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand are not included.) Emily and Edwin are meant for display only.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily’s green blouse, with its dainty white collar and cuffs, and gold buttons, is painted on. She has ivory bloomers and two-toned striped green stockings. Her fancy high-button shoes are golden brown with black buttons, and look just right on her little kitty feet.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily’s white apron is edged in lace and adorned with a country blue satin ribbon overstitched with a pattern of green flowers. A graceful line of green leaves is embroidered above the ribbon, and a green geometric pattern is embroidered below.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily’s green skirt is beautifully decorated with embroidered linear patterns in country blue. A plaid ruffle that picks up all the fabric and embroidery colors is attached below the skirt.

Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily 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.

Beatrice and Beulah, Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily and Edwin are available for $950.00, plus shipping. Please inquire to [email protected]

Emily and Edwin, Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingEmily’s lop rabbit friends are Beatrice and Beulah.

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Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice is a lop bunny with soft brown eyes, large floppy ears, a wiggly nose, and big feet perfect for hopping about. She is known far and wide for her sweetness.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingOne day, after Beatrice had just been to the Bunny Boutique to buy a new outfit, she happened to pass by the Bunny Baubles store, which is also in the bunny shopping district. There in the window, looking pleadingly up at her, was a beautiful baby bunny doll in a green dress.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingUnable to resist, Beatrice brought her home that very day, and named her Beulah. She had a special pocket for Beulah sewn into each of her dresses, as bunnies aren’t very good at carrying dolls.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice and Beulah don’t have tea parties, but Beatrice tosses up fresh endive, romaine lettuce, parsley, and cilantro for wonderful salad parties.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingAll the neighborhood bunnies hope to get an invitation, and Beatrice tries very hard not to overlook anyone.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice and Beulah are original one-of-a-kind works of art, created from our own pattern and design. Beatrice is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. Beulah is sculpted entirely from paperclay and painted with acrylic paints. Beatrice is 12 ½ inches tall, and Beulah is 2 ¾ inches tall.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice’s big feet have needle-sculpted toes, and her paws are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose. Her face is sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. She has a soft fluffy tail made from yarn.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice can be propped on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She can also sit in a chair or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.) Beatrice and Beulah are meant for display only.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice wears a pretty pale yellow blouse with a scalloped neckline, sleeves, and hem. Painted purple flowers on the front of her blouse match the flowers in her skirt. Her bunny bloomers are painted ivory.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice’s charming country pinafore has a pale yellow skirt with a pattern of purple flowers and soft green leaves. The apron with straps that cross in the back is also soft yellow, and edged with off-white lace. The big patch pocket meant for transporting little Beulah is edged in green satin with darker green patterns of decorative stitching. A little green heart is hand appliquéd onto the pocket.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeulah’s tiny green dress has puffy sleeves with a white collar. Her white bloomers show from under her pink petticoats. A delicate pattern of pink flowers is painted around the bottom of her dress.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice and Beulah are signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingUpdate: Beatrice and Beulah have already been adopted. Thank you!

Beatrice and Beulah, Emily and Edwin, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth RuffingBeatrice and Beulah’s kitty and elephant friends are Emily and Edwin.