Tag: anne-ruffing

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Himalayan Kitten Art Doll Figurine, Pocket Kitten in Progress

Himalayan kitten art doll figurine the palm of the artist's hand

It’s baby kitty time. My mom is painting the dress on her little Himalayan kitten art doll figurine.

Artist Anne Ruffing painting at her desk with her calico cat sitting nearby
Artist Anne Ruffing painting at her desk with Ruby

Ruby, our calico cat, helped herself to a drink out of her water pitcher, while my mom was painting. The water was clean at the time! Here is a video showing my mom, artist Anne Ruffing, painting her kitten: https://youtube.com/shorts/FIOv8eSGTNA

This tiny Himalayan kitten will sit in the skirt pocket of the Himalayan cat art doll she just finished painting. I need to design and sew a pinafore with a pocket that will be just he right size for the Himalayan kitten.

Himalayan cat art doll in a deep blue painted blouse with a pink flower at the neck, and pink painted bloomers with striped blue socks.
Himalayan cat art doll in progress

My mom sculpted this kitten from paperclay. She and her mama are both original, one-of-kind artist dolls and will be together as a set.

Himalayan kitten art doll figurine in a mauve painted pinafore and yellow blouse
Himalayan kitten art doll figurine

“Meesha and May” the Himalayan cat and kitten art dolls can be found by clicking here.

I have been working on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/elizabethruffing

YouTube main page with a logo saying Ruffing's Artist Dolls and Toys and The Little House of Cats
Ruffing’s Artist Dolls and Toys and The Little House of Cats YouTube channel

In addition to making videos of our art dolls, I want to design and make sewing patterns for doll clothing, and make some sewing instruction videos. I first learned to sew by making doll clothing, and I would like to pass that knowledge on to other people. I eventually made my own clothing through high school and college. I think people may find sewing, especially garment sewing, somewhat intimidating, and I think doll clothes are a great place to start, even if you don’t have a sewing machine. I started sewing by hand, and I still like sewing by hand!

While we have been hard at work, the cats are lounging around on this very nice day. Chester says hello from the porch. steps

Chester, a buffy orange and white cat, lounging on gray wooden steps
Chester lounging on the porch steps
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Himalayan Cat Art Doll with a Pocket Kitten, part one

Himalayan cat and kitten art dolls in progress

My mom is getting back to making our cat art dolls after a long break. These are a mama Himalayan cat with her little baby pocket kitten. She sculpted them years ago, and had them in a box. I have been encouraging her to get back to her art. She is going to finish painting these kitties.

Mom picked out the floral fabric she liked the best from my stash, and I will be sewing up a pinafore for her cat art doll. It will have a pocket in it to hold the kitten.

We are excited to have new dolls after this long break. Emily, one of our calico cats, loves to watch everything my mom does. She is excited too.

“Meesha and May” the Himalayan cat and kitten art dolls can be found by clicking here.

Himalayan Cat Art Doll with a Pocket Kitten, part one

We got out of the house today and took a walk, before making this short video of the dolls. It was a pretty spring day here, and we got back before the rain.

Anne Ruffing sits on a park bench with tall pine trees behind her.
Mom sitting on a park bench, enjoying the spring weather
Pale lavender flowered Chinaberry Tree/Persian Lilac in bloom
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Daphne, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress, sitting

Daphne charms everyone she meets.

tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress

With her sweet little tabby cat face, and her big trusting yellow-green eyes, she has an air of total innocence.

She’s shy and unassuming, but she will happily raise her paw to show you her favorite glass fish bracelet.

yellow fish bracelet
tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress

Watch out for Daphne, or she’ll steal your heart away.

tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress
tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress

Daphne is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, made from 100% cotton fabric which is sewn, stuffed, and completely hand-painted with acrylic paints.  She is 13 inches tall.

tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress
tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress

I sculpted the front of her face from paper clay, which I smoothed into the fabric.  Her whiskers are made from stiffened pearl cotton, threaded through the clay before it dried.

Her arms are button-jointed, and her paws are needle-sculpted.  I painted her fur in a multitude of tabby colors…silver gray, buff, ivory, gold, and black.

Her pinafore is made from colorful fabric striped in orange, gold, purple, rose, and magenta.  I painted her collar and cuffs to match the magenta stripe, and her tights to match the purple stripe.  Her kitty feet are covered with ivory high-button shoes that have decorative toes and gold buttons.

hand-painted white high top boots

Daphne is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress

Daphne can sit upright all by herself.  Her tail supports her very nicely.  She can also sit on a chair, or stand with a doll stand.  (Chair and doll stand not included.)  Daphne can even sit on the couch.  She’s very good at watching TV.

tabby cat art doll in a magenta, orange, and purple striped dress
tabby cat art doll with button joints and white high top boots

Many hours go into the making of each of my dolls. I strongly believe in fine craftsmanship and artistry, and I pay great attention to small details. Each doll is a unique work of art, and I am able to produce them in only a very limited number. 

Update: Daphne has been adopted. Thank you!