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Hug Me! Kitty

Meet Darla, my new black and white, tuxedo “Hug Me! Kitty”. I took a little sewing detour to play around with my pattern designs and came up with a kitty. That doesn’t seem too surprising, huh? Lots of cats.

I like her curly appliquéd tail.

She’ll be ready to give someone a hug over in my Etsy shop soon.

I’m still sewing doll clothes. I stopped to make some blueberry apple muffins though. They were about to be blueberry muffins until I discovered I didn’t have a whole cup of blueberries. A happy short-coming though. The combination worked out nicely. I made them from the same buttermilk muffin recipe I usually use, and added a teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest. I also substituted some plain yogurt plus some milk for buttermilk, since I was also out of buttermilk, trying to get it to about the same consistency. That worked out fine too, but it must be time to go food shopping again!

I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

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Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCrocus is a sweet little Siamese kitten. She was born in the spring at the same time the first crocus bloomed.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCrocus is very earnest, and quite serious. She cannot comprehend how a bowl, which is always supposed to have food in it, can possibly not have food in it.

“This has to be a mistake,” she will say, as she looks at the empty bowl in shock and disbelief.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“This can’t be right,” she will sigh, as she paces back and forth in the kitchen.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“This is a HUGE oversight,” she will cry, her voice getting louder and louder.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“How could this happen?” she will howl in dismay, and, sure enough, someone will put her food in the bowl, and listen to her quietly purring.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCrocus has extraordinary blue eyes that look out from her dark little face. Her pale pink dress is covered with tiny blue flowers, and has a big ruffled collar edged in blue, with blue cuffs. Her blue sash is tied in a big bow at the back, where you can see her dark little tail. Ivory petticoats show below her hemline. She carries a very empty rose and white bowl.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCrocus is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her bowl are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCrocus is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCrocus is an itty bitty kitty. She stands only 4 ½ inches tall.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max BaileyUpdate: Crocus has already been adopted. Thank you!

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

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Butterfly bushes and baked goods

I took these photos of Painted Lady Butterflies on our butterfly bush a couple of years ago. The butterfly bushes aren’t in bloom quite yet, but…I finally planted the one I have had sitting in a pot by our chimney for as long as I’ve had these photos. I can’t believe it has survived this long in a pot, and I’m hopeful that it will continue to persevere.

We’ve had an overcast day, which is good for transplanting. Here’s hoping it takes off like the one in these photos. This one is enormous, and the butterflies, moths, and bees visit it all summer long.

I have some more gardening to tend to, that I have been putting off doing. I used to garden with a passion, but the hard clay in the North Carolina soil has put me off a bit. I’d love to get my iris beds divided too.

I’m trying to do the things I have been putting off, one at a time, including making progress on all things doll related.

I also made both banana oat muffins and soft pretzels today. Mm…salty pretzel goodness. I had a craving for soft pretzels while at the mall recently. I almost stopped for one, but I kept thinking, “I could just make those!” So, that became one more thing on my to-do list. It was well worth the effort.

While I was out, I also picked up a copy of Quilting Arts new special issue, Stitch, Creating with Fabric & Thread. The pretty pillow on the cover is “Tuesday Pillow” by Malka Dubrawsky. The instructions are included in the magazine.

What really made me purchase the issue though, were the cute stuffed toys, “Pretty Cat, Baby Bear and Mini-Mouse”, by Heidi Boyd. The patterns are in the foldout in the center of the magazine, and the instructions are in the back. They’d make adorable gifts.

I’ve got my own pile of toys to sew and doll dresses to make. So, I probably won’t be trying these out right away. I’m sure I’m more likely to get some new idea before then, to add to my list of things to do, but I thought perhaps some of you would enjoy making them! Enjoy your weekend!