handmade-sock-dolls Archives - Page 3 of 14 - Ruffing’s Artist Dolls and Toys

Posted on July 9, 2012July 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Custom slugs and some more sock toads

This is Buddy the Hug Me Slug. Buddy has a special mission. He was ordered by such a nice lady, to give comfort and cheer to her friend who is going through some difficult challenges right now. So that he would be full of extra love, I gave him two hearts, one on top of the other, purple for bravery, and red for love. Teal is her favorite color. I was so glad I had some teal fleece, when I was asked.

I tried to fill him with well wishes, and I hope his new friend will be all better soon. He went on his way this morning. I added a pretty card and gift bag so he would arrive in style.

This grass green slug went to welcome a new baby boy into the world,

and this purple slug went to welcome someone home.

I finished up more Hug Me Sock Toads, in shades of orange.

These three polka-dotted toads look like they are wearing white undies, so I’m told.

New toys will be posted in our Ruffing’s shop.

I got all those batik Hug Me Bugs and Hug Me Slugs I was working on last time I wrote, posted too.

I leave a path of fabric scraps and paper in my wake.

I often find these sticky-backed paper hearts stuck to the bottoms of my feet, and to the soles of my shoes. A friend said this is a photo showing “both heart and sole” 🙂

My kitty helpers have been napping a lot in the heat.

Some of them are very good at passing out.

Some look like they are dreaming of acrobatics,

or sailing through the air.

But they help whenever they can. Kitties love crafts projects in between naps.

Bertie is hiding from everyone here. No one could possibly ever find her.

Just look how inconspicuous she is.

Posted on June 3, 2012July 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Turquoise and orange spotted toads

I finished a small group of Hug Me Sock Toad stuffed animal toys today. They all have polka dots.

I will be putting my handmade stuffed animal toys and other creatures in our Ruffing’s shop.

This one is examining a beautiful lace-cap hydrangea that was a Mother’s Day gift years ago. It has gotten huge this year.

This is what they look like on the bottom. I sew signed, handmade tags made of coordinating quilting cotton to each one. I turn under the edges of my tags and stitch them on by hand to make them neat.

Phoebe assisted me with my photo props today, checking out our doll bench and playing with the straw hat I used to cart them outdoors.

She likes to participate in her own way. She’s been letting me pet her on the tail more lately. We’re hoping she’ll let us pet the rest of her eventually.

Bertie, below, is more confident. I think that even shows in her face.

Posted on May 10, 2012July 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Festival photos

I borrowed these photos from Alley Cats and Angels rescue of NC, to show you my toys at the festivals this past weekend. They visited Peak Fest in Apex, Meet in the Street in Wake Forest, and OutRaleigh in Raleigh. Thanks very much to everyone at Alley Cats and Angels for taking them along and spending so much time and effort.

The rescue also had cat beds and catnip toys there, which are still available from them. They use potent catnip. Our cats love the toys they got. They are all handmade by volunteers.

I currently have some more toys with portion going to animal charities as well. I will be posting new toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Most of these are from Meet in the Street, in Wake Forest. The one below is from OutRaleigh. The banner says “A cat’s love knows no gender or color.” As most have probably heard, North Carolina has been engaged in a heated debate over Amendment One, which is an embarrassment to a great many of us, including me. I wish people would learn to leave each other alone. Why is that so hard? It’s something I’ve never understood. I find it so upsetting.

I admire people who spend their lives trying to help other people and animals and the world around them. I don’t have tolerance for those who try to inflict harm. Just think how much better everything would be if people spent their time thinking of ways to help, and acting on those ideas, rather than spending their time attacking and hurting each other. I wish there were more kindness being expressed. All the hate and anger sickens me.

I try to surround myself with positive, supportive people. And I try to recognize the negative, poisonous ones and get away from them as fast as possible. A friend gave some valuable advice saying it isn’t worth spending any time thinking about people who treat you in an uncaring way; just get away from them and don’t look back. I think that goes for people who treat others in an uncaring way too.

Thankfully, there are people who do care, and do spend their time doing positive, generous things. I’d rather focus on them.

Posted on April 30, 2012July 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Three more festivals for this Saturday

My toys were at the Cleveland Strawberry Festival in Clayton, NC this past Saturday. Here are some pictures of the Alley Cats and Angels booth. Thanks, Ashley and Laura, for spending their whole day there, and for organizing the event, and to everyone involved.

It was very crowded and busy when we came by. I got lost, and it took me a couple of hours to get there, being unfamiliar with the area, and getting the wrong street from my Internet map. NC is fond of naming two streets in the same area, the same thing, even when they are not connected. There are two Technology Drives in Clayton. I was way off! My parents came along, and my dad patiently asked about five people for directions before we happened across a lady who had just been there. Then we walked the whole length of the festival before finding the booth on our fourth pass through. I got lucky and found a security guard who had been by the booth earlier and remembered seeing it. I was glad when I finally found it and was able to get some pictures. It would have been terrible to go home without finding it!

The rescue is going to take my toys along to this coming Saturday’s events too. They’ll have booths at three festivals, Peak Fest in Apex, Meet in the Street in Wake Forest, and Out Raleigh in Raleigh. Please come if you are in the area. They’ll all be on May 5, 2012.

In truth, I am nervous having the toys away from the house! I’m used to doing everything from home, and I fret that something will happen to them. This takes some adjusting.

Aside from finding the booth, I was glad to get some more catnip cigars. The kitties love them, as you can see. Proceeds go to help the rescue.

Here’s Phoebe enjoying her nap in the sunshine after an active morning of playing.

Today I finished some more 7-inch Hug Me Slugs. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys inour Ruffing’s shop.

I am still sewing through a pile of toys I have stuffed, but not yet detailed. I’d like to try something different soon, for variety. Doing the same task for hours can be productive, because I get used to what I’m doing, but it can get boring.

I feel encouraged when my workroom gets emptier. It feels good to get the toys finished and put away. For months, I’ve had a large number of toys all around me in there.

There is slightly more breathing room now, but still plenty more to go.