Tag: max-bailey

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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

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 two, three, and four

Ruby the calico cat sniffs my mom’s Himalayan cat art doll in progress

My mom is painting again! She is making progress on her mama Himalayan cat art doll. I have been taking video of her painting, while trying not to get in the way. Our calico cats, Ruby and Emily, like to help.

First my mom painted her cat doll’s lace cuffs and collar. Then she painted her blouse a deep blue. She added some pale pink kitty “knickers” and then striped socks, in two shades of blue.

Himalayan cat art doll with pink bloomers and blue striped socks

Here is the video of her painting the lace cuffs: https://youtube.com/shorts/_oeGiyBrQ6A

This the video of my mom painting her blouse: https://youtube.com/shorts/-GRqKqvpYUg

And the video of her painting her blue striped socks: https://youtube.com/shorts/lOX0XZvPRFA

It takes a steady hand to paint those stripes with one hand, while holding her doll in the other hand.

I mailed off these two custom fleece Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toys. They were made to celebrate an eleventh birthday and their recipient picked out the colors he wanted, including the colors for the eyes, which were custom printed on fleece. I hand stitched them on with a blanket stitch.

Light green and dark purple Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toys by Elizabeth Ruffing

I’ve also been puttering around with vintage dolls and their clothing. My favorites are my Ideal Toni dolls, American Character Sweet Sue dolls, and Effanbee Honey dolls, from the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Vintage P-91 Ideal Toni doll in a pink cotton pinafore with cotton voile top

I’ve been washing their clothing and working on making sewing patterns for them. I’ve also been cleaning the dolls and need to restring some of them.

Vintage Toni doll clothing, air drying after hand washing

My goal is to make some handmade doll clothing to sell, along with sewing patterns for doll clothes.

My handmade bodice pattern from an original Toni doll dress

I added a doll from this century to my doll clothing models. I think she is my first doll from the 2000’s! She is a Ruby Red Fashion Friends doll named Sara, and she is very sweet. I even made an “unboxing video” because I always see those and thought it might be fun to record my reaction. Here is my unboxing video: https://youtu.be/jIaRhIDIEDM

Ruby Red Fashion Friends Doll, Sara, Dianna Effner Sculpt, Unboxing and Review

I think she is quite charming and she has already made friends with Lila Lovebunny and Chelsea the Maine Coon cat.

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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.

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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Cat art doll figurine, original one-of-a-kind beautiful ginger tabby Maine Coon with her adorable kitten, Catherine and Chester by Max Bailey

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Catherine and Chester” is a handmade original, one-of-a-kind anthropomorphic cat art doll figurine, hand painted and hand sculpted in paperclay by artist Max Bailey.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine is an orange tabby Maine Coon cat, who looks a bit bewildered by motherhood.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine knows she needs at least one extra set of paws to keep up with her kitten. Little Chester seems to go in nine different directions all at once.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine made a kitty bag for Chester, a blue polka dot one with a long strap that goes around her neck. Still, she has to keep one paw on the bag.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyChester is so enthusiastic, he wiggles and mews at everyone and everything he sees.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Mama, why do I have to stay in my kitty bag while we’re traveling?” Chester asks.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine answers, “So I can see the top of your pretty little head.” When he asks again, she says, “So I can count your little white whiskers to make sure none of them are missing.”

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine takes Chester to the park. She takes him shopping. She takes him visiting. And, at the end of the day, she takes him home.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyWhen he yawns, she puts him to bed, and Chester always says, “Good night, Mama. I had fun today.”

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Me too.” Catherine answers. She sighs happily, and falls asleep in her chair.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Catherine and Chester” is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. Catherine, Chester, and Chester’s kitty bag are hand-sculpted from paperclay, and are entirely hand-painted with acrylic paints.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine wears a river blue dress with a jade green collar, cuffs, and sash tied in a big bow at the back. Pale blue flowers with jade green leaves decorate the sleeves and flow around the bottom of the skirt. Her striped orange tail emerges from her white petticoats. Catherine and Chester have whiskers made from stiffened cotton thread.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyCatherine is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Catherine is 9 and 1/4 inches tall. “Catherine and Chester” comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Catherine and Chester, Ginger Tabby Maine Coon Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Catherine and Chester” the original one-of-a-kind Maine Coon cat art doll figurine is available for $425.00, with free Priority Mail, insured, shipping within the United States. Please inquire to [email protected]

Chester’s big sister is Sunflower the Ginger Tabby Kitten, original one-of-a-kind cat art doll figurine.

We can be found on social media here: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Please click here to visit Catherine and Chester’s adoption page.