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Rainy Thursday

I woke up this morning with an idea that I had had before for a doll. I had put it off before, not knowing where it would fit in, as far as marketing it went. I still don’t know, but eBay has been frustrating lately anyway. So, I decided it didn’t matter if I made a doll I couldn’t include in any of the popular categories there. I wanted to do a more colorful, maybe 1920’s style doll in a more stylized way, as opposed to the antique/primitive style that is more popular on eBay. The primitive dolls tend to be more subdued in their colors, and earlier in their clothing styles. I’m thinking of something more along the lines of my cloth dolls and toys, but as an art doll, for display only. Instead of putting it off again, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. I don’t know where that will lead me. Right now, I am trying a little of everything.

I made some pineapple and cilantro pizza last night. It came out okay. It is much better with fresh cilantro. It’s pretty simple. Take any pizza dough (I used the pizza dough recipe from The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook by Beth Hensperger), roll it out, and put it in a pan that’s been lightly coated with some olive oil and cornmeal. On top of it I added some olive oil, mozzarella cheese, cilantro, and pineapple slices (no tomato sauce). I baked mine for 13 minutes at 475, but you’d probably want to follow the directions for whatever pizza dough you use.

I’ve also been sewing up more fleece “Hug Me! Slugs” in different colors. I’ve got a couple of pinks, blues, greens, a yellow, a lavender, and an orange fleece, just to expand the choices. I’ve been amassing a pile of odd supplies lately. That way, I can get up in morning and make just about anything I want!
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Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth RuffingThis is Fiona. Fiona has a lovely, well-mannered family.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Hedda, and Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth Ruffing and Max BaileyWell, almost. Sometimes, she and her little brother, Ziggy, get a little wild on their bicycles.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth RuffingSometimes Mama yells and waves her paws in the air. It’s funny when she does that.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Hedda, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth Ruffing and Max BaileySometimes Fiona and Ziggy play Pat-a-cake.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth RuffingOr they play with Ziggy’s car, on the handmade quilt Mama made just for Fiona. It has a hand-embroidered blue butterfly in the center. Fiona and Ziggy pretend it’s real and try to pounce on it.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten's Butterfly Mini Quilt, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll and Quilt by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten's Butterfly Quilt, Detail,, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll and Quilt by Elizabeth RuffingWhen Fiona gets tired, she loves to take a nap under her quilt.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth RuffingMama hand stitched her quilt from pieces of cotton fabric she had from the dress she made for Fiona. It has a pretty blue ribbon at the waist. Fiona tries to keep it clean and neat, like Mama says.

Fiona the Calico Kitten's Dress, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll and Dress by Elizabeth RuffingFiona like to pretend she is a kitty model while she wears it. She imagines she is on the catwalk and everyone is taking her picture.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth RuffingSometimes she even pretends she is a kitty underwear model, but only in her room with the door shut!

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth RuffingThen she usually takes another nap.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Hedda, and Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth Ruffing and Max BaileyOnce she’s rested, it’s time for another bike ride with Ziggy!

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Hedda, and Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth Ruffing and Max Bailey

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Hedda, and Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Elizabeth Ruffing and Max Bailey

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth RuffingFiona is approximately 10 inches tall when standing and approximately 6 1/4 inches tall when sitting. Her curled tail helps her to sit up. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which is painted with acrylic paint. Her face is sculpted from paperclay with painted thread whiskers that were inserted before the clay dried. She is from my own original pattern and was handsewn and handsculpted by me, Elizabeth Ruffing. No molds were used. She is a completely original and one-of-a-kind art doll. Fiona is signed and dated, and She is sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She is meant for display only. She comes with a hang tag, a certificate of authenticity, and a copy of her story.

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth RuffingFiona comes with her handmade doll quilt and her lovely original dress. They are also made from my own design and patterns, as is the hand embroidered butterfly in the center of Fiona’s quilt. The quilt measures inches square and it painstakingly quilted with little hand stitches. It is made from 100% cotton materials. (Bicycles, doll stands, and other dolls shown are not included. Little brother Ziggy can be found here and Mama Hedda can be found here.)

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Hedda, and Ziggy the Tuxedo Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing and Max BaileyFiona and her doll quilt are currently available for $650.00. Please inquire to ruffings@ruffings.com

Fiona the Calico Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Cats On Bikes

I’m so glad I found these bikes. I had no idea how much kitten dolls enjoyed bikes until I got them. They actually got a bit rowdy.

They had a game of Chicken.

Their mama managed to redirect them.

Then they rode tandem. No hands! Er, paws.

Then they rode off on their own.

I’m not sure where they went.

If you see them, let me know.

They’re about, well, kitten-sized…several inches tall, and not considered dangerous.
Special thanks to Max Bailey’s cat Hedda for minding them as best she could.

From left to right, “Fiona“, “Ziggy“, and “Hedda“. Please visit our online doll gallery to see more of our original, one-of-a-kind, folk art dolls.