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Handmade stuffed toy plush slugs, and Slugterra, a new show for slug enthusiasts

Hug Me Slugs handmade fleece stuffed animal banana slug art toys by Elizabeth Ruffing

Slugterra and orange fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve been making lots of stuffed toy Hug Me Slugs lately! I realized today that I have been making stuffed animal slugs for almost half a decade now! Wow, that must mean I’ve made hundreds of plushie slugs.

Slugterra and multi-colored fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI’ll be adding more adoptable slugs to our Ruffing’s shop, in all different colors!

Slugterra and bright medium green fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThey are all made of fleece and are soft and cuddly. Each one comes with a hang tag, which can be personalized. Their adopters can pick out names for them, or I print “For + a name” on the tag, which comes tied to each slug with a ribbon. There is even room for a short message on the back of each tag.

Slugterra and my hang tag for my Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

I discovered there are some slug cousins and more slug enthusiasts out there. There is a new animated show on called Slugterra, with a bunch of cute slugs, in all different colors too. They look like a fun group of characters. The slugs on the show are very action-oriented. I’m sure they will have their own toy versions soon.

Here is a video of some of the Slugterra slugs.

I found myself wanting to set all the slugs free. I wanted to release them into a shady green garden with all kinds of good things to for them eat.

Slugterra and  assorted colored fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingIn my fantasy slug-world, Hug Me Slugs live in a sanctuary full of fruits and vegetables that instantly regenerate whenever a slug takes a bite out of them.

Slugterra and red fleece Hug Me Slug with a mushroom, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing When they are not eating or playing, they loll around, with the sun shining through the forest leaves above, smiling contentedly, telling each other jokes and stories. They may even have burping contests. They do seem to eat a lot.

Slugterra and purple fleece Hug Me Slug, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

I’m not affiliated in any way with the Slugterra show itself. I think my Hug Me Slugs and Bugs may be friends or relatives though. I’m sure they would enjoy playing together. Hug Me Slugs get along with pretty much everybody.They are peace-loving, gentle souls who are friends to everyone.

Slugterra and multicolored Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toys by Elizabeth RuffingPlease come visit our Ruffing’s shop to see my adoptable creatures. If you are on Facebook, please come “like” our Ruffing’s page.

Slugterra and mint green fleece Hug Me Slug with peach blossom, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Rainbow bugs and slugs

Rainbow Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThe rainbow bugs and slugs I was working on in my last post are all up and ready.

Rainbow Hug Me Bug and Hug Me Slug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Rainbow Hug Me Bug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’m still sewing together Hug Me Toad bodies.

Cobalt blue, Light Turquoise, and Bright Light Green Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI finished some solid color slugs too.

Bike trainer standWe are starting to get some hot days. I ordered a bike trainer so I could ride my bike in the living room, where I can enjoy air conditioning.

Kitty investigating bike trainer standI thought the “kittens” would be afraid, but they were both curious, especially Phoebe, who is the nosier of the two. They may be getting big to call kittens, especially Bertie, but they still look like kittens to us.

Bike trainer stand climbing blockI have a climbing block on the front tire to keep the bike level.

Elizabeth RuffingMy mom took some photos of me and I stitched these two together, clones of myself.

Miniature dollhouse-sized art doll kittens by Max BaileyI have more photos to edit of Max Bailey’s cat and kitten dolls. I’m in the process of getting these posted over on our Ruffing’s blog. The kittens above are, from left to right, Ingrid, Francine, Mitzi, Stephanie, and Lola.

Gomez, Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingI’m also going through my rescue cat and kitten photos of the past couple years, seeing what might work for the Alley Cats and Angels’ fundraiser calendar.

Edmund, Ginger Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingIt’s going to be black and white. I have to go back to the original files to get the right size for each, since they have to fit the calendar format.

Pugsley, Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingI have photos of lots of sweet kitties who have been in the rescue.

Wednesday, Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingHope everyone had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

Waldo, Gray kitten by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Bugs, slugs, and toads in progress

Rainbow of Hug Me Slugs and Bugs in progress, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’m closing in the the sixty-five or so toys I had in all stages in my workroom. These have their features pinned on and ready to sew.

Hug Me Sock Toads in progress, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve had some requests for more sock toads, and I’m working on some of those too. I got a lot done on these, while waiting at the dentist for my mom. I sat in the car stuffing them.

Lucy, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Tabby-and-white Kitten by Max BaileyWe have lots of cute kitten dolls up over on our Ruffing’s blog. They keep multiplying faster than I get them photographed and posted. I still have lots of photos to edit, and Max Bailey has five new kittens still to photograph. The kittens above are, from left to right, Brandy, Pepper, Catherine, Lucy, and Emily.

White duck with a mallard duck, photo by Elizabeth RuffingOur duck friend was all alone for a few months, after a loose dog killed the rest of the flock. She was all by herself on the pond, quacking loudly. We bring her cracked corn and she appears to appreciate the company as well as the corn. A couple of weeks ago, we showed up with our duck snacks, and found two ducks waiting. This handsome mallard must have heard her call. He’s very loyal to her, and they come visit us together. We are so happy she isn’t alone anymore, and hope they’ll be safe.

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New toys in my shop today

Hug Me Bug, Hug Me Slugs, Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThese fuzzy handmade stuffed animal Hug Me Slugs, Hug Me Bugs, and Hug Me KIttens are up. I am posting my new stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop. As as of this afternoon,

Green Polka Dot Hug Me Bug and Hug Me Slug, original art toys by Elizabeth Ruffing I have one Hug Me Bug, some Hug Me Slugs, and Hug Me Sock Kittens too. I have plenty more to come. I’ve been watching movies, while hand sewing. I watched a particularly cheesy bunch of bad horror movies the other day.

Blue Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve been trying to fit in going out to lunch at least once week too. On the way home, I often end up with strawberry cupcakes from The Fresh Market. These are wonderful. I have to find some chocolate ones. There are many temptations there.

Strawberry cupcakes from the Fresh Market