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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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Green Hug Me Sock Toads

Green and Yellow Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI just finished and posted two new Hug Me Sock Toads. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Green and Yellow Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingOne has a lemon-yellow fleece heart, and the other, a red fleece heart.

Green and Red Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThey are both a grass green color. I wanted to make a couple of green animals for Saint Patrick’s Day.

Green and Red Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingWe also posted a set of new original, one-of-of-a-kind ginger tabby dolls, Georgia and Gracie by Max Bailey.

Gracie and Georgia, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Kitten Art Dolls by Max BaileyPlease visit our Ruffing’s shop to see more original cat art dolls.

Blue and green socks drying on the porchI have a huge number of socks I need to make into animals or monsters! This is just a small sampling of some I pre-washed and left to dry outdoors today.

Cuddling kitties by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah

Phoebe and Bertie stare at their first Christmas tree, photo by Elizabeth RuffingMerry Christmas and happy Hanukkah! I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. Phoebe and Bertie are having their first Christmas, and this is their first tree. We just brought it into the house today. They were impressed, but Phoebe thought it smelled weird at first.

Phoebe and Bertie stare at their first Christmas tree, photo by Elizabeth RuffingWe found some shatter-resistant ornaments at Michael’s. Phoebe has been pulling them, one at a time, off the tree, chasing them around on the carpet, and rolling with them in the hall. Bertie is hanging out right next to the tree, sniffing it, and occasionally tasting it. She might have a little cold this week, which may be why she is doing more hanging out than chasing.

Phoebe swats a Christmas ornament, photo by Elizabeth RuffingDuring the night, I am sure they will be swatting at the decorations. This is Josephine’s first Christmas tree too. She hasn’t been as interested as the kittens, even though she is almost a kitten herself. She will likely join in after dark. We have two fat bungee cords strapped around the table to keep that tree in place. We’ll see if that works!

Bertie stands next to her first Christmas tree, photo by Elizabeth RuffingIn addition to helping me decorate the tree, Bertie helped my mom address cards this year. There is still baking to do. Bertie probably won’t be so interested in that part, but she does like to try to swipe people food, no surprise since Phoebe and Bertie came from a restaurant.

Bertie helps mom write Christmas cards, photo by Elizabeth RuffingWe did all our errands so we can stick close to home this weekend, and avoid all the last-minute shoppers. I will probably do some sewing, watch movies, and relax. This Hug Me Toad is one of the many handmade art toys I made and sent out to new homes for the holidays. It is fun to think of my toys surprising people and making them smile. I hope you all have a very happy week! I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Green Hug Me Toad, sitting in a tree, original sock doll art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

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November is here and my toy workshop is in full swing

Fleece Hug Me Slugs, assorted colors, by Elizabeth RuffingThis is a small peek into my workroom today, and these are a small number of the Hug Me Slugs and other art toys, waiting for me. This is the time of year when I get very nervous and try very hard to get as much as I can get done, done.

Fleece, assorted colors, by Elizabeth RuffingPiles of fleece are cascading from the tops of shelves and other piles of fleece.

Rainbow fleece, by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve prewashed yards and yards of fabric.

Fleece, assorted colors, by Elizabeth RuffingScraps are organized by color so I can find them for hand-sewn hearts. In between, I tweak my patterns, and try some new things too. This is a new character, my Hug Me Bug. I have to draw his picture for his hang tag.

Green Fleece Hug Me Bug by Elizabeth RuffingI received these fantastic photos of my beautiful Hug Me Toad collector, Emily. Emily drew this great family portrait of her Hug Me Toads, all with their names above their heads. I just loved seeing these, and I love that all the Hug Me Toads have their own slippers to nap in.

Emily with her drawing of her Hug Me Toad collectionEmily’s PJ’s and her slippers are perfect too. Those Hug Me Toads are in good company!

Emily with her drawing of her Hug Me Toad collectionI love Emily’s portrait. Look how she got all the details. I just love it. Thank you Emily! Say hello to Davey, Mary, Chloe, and company for me! 🙂

Emily with her drawing of her Hug Me Toad collectionThe kittens are now out into the bedroom adjoining the laundry room, during the day. They were excited to discover carpeting, and they love galloping around. They are just finishing up some medicine for Giardia, which they probably got from drinking yucky water when they lived outdoors.

Soon they can go mingle with the other kitties. Phoebe and Bertie both went to the vet and had their vaccines. Phoebe got her blood test and doesn’t have either leukemia or FIV. They didn’t like their vet visit at all, but they seemed to forget all about it in no time, once they were back home.

Tabby kittens explore the hallPhoebe (below) is looking contented now. She doesn’t look like a scared kitten anymore, most of the time. She still doesn’t like to be petted, but she looks happy to see us, and likes to watch us. Bertie (above) is friendly and sociable. She isn’t keen on being picked up, but she loves to sit in my mom’s lap.

Phoebe the tabby kittenThey are wonderful at playing together. They will each take one end of this string and pull on it. They’ve been having lots of fun, trying out new things, like sitting on the bed. They’ll get spayed and microchipped later this month. They’ll get their second booster shot then. Soon they will be running all over the house.

Bertie and Phoebe the tabby kittens play with stringJosephine has been waiting for the kittens to come out and play. She has plans, I’m sure, to show them her own games. Josephine has always been an enthusiastic computer-helper, and now she has discovered she likes to help me with my crafts projects too. In addition to stealing ballpoint pens, she now attempts to steal the sports tape I use to protect my fingers when I sew. I won’t let her have it, no matter how cute she is.

Josephine kitty with pretty blue eyes