Our Blog - Page 90 of 224 - Ruffing’s | The Little House of Cats

Posted on August 26, 2011July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Settling in for the stormy weekend

We’ve been getting ready for Irene here in North Carolina, and I’m tired from moving our outdoor things into safer places, so they won’t fly in the wind, if the winds get heavy here. We had our first downpour this afternoon, and I got soaked. It calmed down afterward, but the storm is expected to arrive here in the middle of the night, according to the reports. We’re hoping for the best for everyone in the storm’s path. Hope everyone will stay safe and sound.

I made sure to send my current orders out by the end of yesterday, to be safe, in case the power goes out. This is a custom Hug Me Bunny that went on her way to New York.

I had a nice surprise, in that one of my photos of Sasquatch, the puffy gray-and-white kitten from Alley Cats and Angels of NC, was featured on The Consumerist website today. I hope that helps him get adopted.

Posted on August 22, 2011July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Four Hug Me Kittens, two Hug Me Slugs, handmade stuffed animal toys

These are the fleece Hug Me Kittens I finished yesterday, and the Hug Me Slugs I finished today. I’ve been running outside in between finishing small groups, or even finishing one, to photograph them. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Ordinarily, I like to keep doing whatever task I am already doing, because I feel like I get more done that way, but I’ve been accumulating crowds of unfinished creatures. Finishing them up feels good too.

Once I get more proficient at digital coloring, I’d like to get some of these characters in two-dimensional form, and maybe try some illustrated stories.

I’d like to learn more about putting stories together in PDF format. That seems like an interesting idea. Maybe someday there will be a single standard format for eBooks, so people can read them on all the various devices that are available. I see that Pages lets you create both PDF and ePub files. More for me to learn.

I might try personalized prints celebrating births or special occasions. I’d also like to think of some fun things I could mix with artwork, beyond having prints. It would be great to have some items that I don’t have to make myself, as all the handmade items require more of an investment of time than most people probably realize.

I do enjoy making things by hand. It would just be nice to expand beyond that.

Posted on August 20, 2011July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Hug Me Bunny multiplication, handmade rabbit stuffed animal toys

Here are today’s fleece Hug Me Bunnies, in cream and light camel.

The light camel one came out extra squishy. I was giving him some extra squeezes while I was sewing him.

I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Posted on August 19, 2011July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fleece Hug Me Bunnies, handmade stuffed animal toys

Someone asked yesterday if I had fleece Hug Me Bunnies in more colors. Yes, I do! I have so many colors of everything, and so many art toys in all stages of being, or almost-being. I am also currently making custom toys. I am hoping to have more of a selection of ready-made toys before the holidays are upon us. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

I finished this lavender bunny rabbit, and this soft yellow one, and I am working on some more. I’ve been asked about more Hug Me Toads too, and I hope to have some ready soon, along with more Alley Cat Angels. Toy-making is a slow process for me, because I do a lot of my stitching by hand, with embroidery floss and a needle. I think that makes my art toys look special and handmade, which I appeals to me.

I found I was being watched by real animals yesterday, while photographing stuffed animals. This rabbit was watching me photograph a fleece kitten.

Santana the Peeping Tom Cat was watching me too, far from the rabbit though. He is more interested in spying on us, apparently.