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We’ve got snow!

Little pine tree sagging under the snowLast night, there was news that we’d be having the first Christmas snow here since 1947. There were only flurries around bedtime, and so we didn’t know what to expect when we got up this morning.

Snow-covered stepsThis is what the front steps looked like when I got up, but it kept snowing and snowing. My poor kitty did a belly flop trying to walk down those steps. He quickly turned back around and came in the house.

Snow-covered woodsAll the trees are covered and bending with heavy clumps of wet snow.

Snow-covered woodsWe can’t see the pond anymore, from here. I hope the ducks are comfortably hidden away in the brush.

SnowmanThe kids next door rang the bell this afternoon, with a request for buttons for their snowman,

Cats look out the door at the snowbut the kitties and I watched the snow fall, mostly from inside, except for a few forays, by me, to take photos.

Illustrations by Barry Moser, The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty.I finished reading, and enjoying, The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty today. The beautiful illustrations in this edition are made from wood engravings by Barry Moser, who also designed the book, which is lovely.

Illustrations by Barry Moser, The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty.They were wonderful to look at in combination with the snowfall today, so atmospheric and full of mystery, like an enchanted forest.

Illustrations by Barry Moser, The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty.Snow creates such a nice, insulating environment for hiding away. I read in front of the heater, while my cat kept stealing my comfy sitting spots.

Illustrations by Barry Moser, The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty.Tomorrow, I think I will pretend Christmas is still almost here, and sew some more toys. I was reading a column by Emily Martin, where she noted that, for some people, getting ready for the holidays starts in January. That sounds like a good idea to me. By summertime, I have usually lost some oomph in that regard. So, why not start while the experience is still fresh in my mind? I have a Wacom tablet to hook up too, now that I have some time. The printer is still at the shop. I don’t know when we’ll be picking it up. Hopefully there won’t be too much of a delay on orders, between that and the snow.

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Last of the holiday slugs for this year, on their way

Fleece Hug Me Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingOr all but one are on their way. One little light blue guy is waiting for a hang tag. We thought we might get our printer back today, but I have a feeling we’ll be waiting some more. The service center hasn’t been too reliable, or the people there trustworthy. I’ve written to Epson to try to find another, and more information on doing some of these repairs myself. There was only service center listed for our area on the Epson site before, and now there is none. Hm…

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI still haven’t adjusted to the idea that there is no reason I need to sew until eleven o’clock tonight. I might take a while to fully realize this. It’s hard to stop, once I am rolling along. I like hand sewing, and I like the idea of people giving and getting my handmade toys as gifts. The time crunch is a bit stressful, the long sewing hours somewhat painful, and I wish I had had more ready-made toys available….but, all in all, mission accomplished, once again, for this year. I’m sure I will fine tune the process as I go. I think, this year, my biggest pitfall was not fully believing there would be a holiday rush. I was preparing as the season approached, but I wasn’t sure what to prepare. Last year, certain colors were popular, and I had more of those ready. Then this year, people liked completely different colors. Maybe there is no way to predict. I’ll just make more toys.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. If tomorrow is nice and sunny, I may just venture out into The World and have a look around.

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Slugs by day, slugs by night

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingIt was a big weekend for finishing up Hug Me Slugs and getting them ready for their trips to their new homes. I’ve been sewing most of the day and into the night, adding smiles and eyes and hearts, all by hand, with my needle and embroidery floss. The slugs shown here have all left since Friday.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI will feel so relieved when all the slugs are on their way for the holidays. I worry each year that I won’t be able to get them all done on time. I’ve got a few more to finish up, and then I will make some different characters, which will be fun.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI packed today’s shipment last night so I would be ready this morning. I felt happy, even though it was late, knowing I’d get these out today. We had to bring our printer in for some servicing too, and so I’m not adding any new toys until it comes back, ready to print hang tags. I need a little rest anyway.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth Ruffing, ready to shipI also had a birthday on Saturday, and received some very nice presents, which were all carefully inspected by my kitty assistants.

My kitty inspects my birthday presentMy mom and dad, in addition to helping me out by going to the Post Office for me, got me these pretty handmade bags from Janine King Designs. One is a camera bag, for the camera I don’t have yet. I’m saving up for a DSLR.  I have another bag made by Janine, and the workmanship is perfect on each of them. I also got a beautiful, and beautifully-made birthday card from my friend Jill. You can’t see very well in this photo, especially with my cat sniffing it, but the flowers and the “Happy Birthday” are raised from the surface, and the petals all turn on their centers, all done by hand. And John sent me some more yummy gingerbread cookies from Germany too. Oh and my mom made me a cheesecake, and my dad picked up Chinese food for me! Thanks everybody!

My kitty inspects my birthday presentsTomorrow I will get back to my sewing, and then I think I will stop to look around before Christmas disappears again until next year!

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The slug-a-thon goes on and on

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs and Hug Me Sock Toads by Elizabeth RuffingThese are some of my toys that have been sent on their way to their new homes this week. I have been holed up in the house, sewing in front of the TV, watching movie after movie. Yesterday, I watched William Shatner battle tarantulas, a hearse chase a deceased lady’s niece, and walls melt before the eyes of a woman with a fear of space. I hope to have some time to leave the house again soon.

Green and Red Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI still have a bit of an overwhelming crowd to finish and mail. Below is this morning’s crowd. Some have left and others have joined, since then. I made my two-hundredth sale on Etsy last night, to one of my favorite customers. I think her family has a small army of Hug Me Slugs. She wrote to me this morning, “[Grandma] is giving the gift of slugs this year!!!” That made me smile. Update: I’ll be posting my new toys on this website, in our Ruffing’s shop.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs in progress by Elizabeth RuffingIf you haven’t already, please “like” our Ruffing’s page on Facebook.

Bright Light Green and Olive Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingIn the meantime, I’ll be watching movies and sewing sewing sewing.