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Siamese mom and kitten, and signs of spring

Loretta and Lulu are all dressed now. I have to admit, I had one heck of a time making this little apron! That apron bib was something else, all edged with lace and lined. I had to turn it right side out at one point, and I wasn’t sure I could do it because it was so small. In fact, I was just about sure I couldn’t. But I persevered and did.

Doesn’t Lulu look just right in that pocket? So cute.

We aren’t officially listing our dolls yet because we have some we are still working on and we want to photograph them together. So, it’s going to be a while before they are over on the Ruffing’s site. I’ll be sure to post here and on the Ruffing’s blog when they are ready to be adopted.

Our breakfast guest came for an early dinner today. I had to stick around to make sure there wasn’t any food sharing going on. My guy didn’t understand that, but he graciously put up with it. They made some cheerful chirping conversation after dinner.

Our guest was very happy with his full tummy.

Our duck friends made an appearance today too, for breakfast time and dinner time. They haven’t ventured up from the pond for months. Spring must make them want to go visiting. You’d think you were the Beatles the way they run after you when you have a cup of corn. They’re like hysterical quacking fans.

I was eating a muffin this morning, when I saw a whole lot of white out the back door. They bob around, trying to get a look at you through the windows, to see if you’re in there. They’ve been back several times today. When they catch sight of you, they come closer to the door. That gray duck was odd man out. I tried to put some cracked corn apart from the rest for him.

The Bradford Pear trees are all in bloom. This one has sprouted from a tree that split, along with so many other Bradford Pears, in an ice storm several years ago. They are very susceptible to storm damage, but they are so pretty people plant them anyway. This one looks like a giant flowering bush.

We’ve been having some lovely sunsets too. I tried to capture all the pinks and lavenders in this one, but by the time I figured out the controls on my camera, the sky had completely changed color.

I had it set and ready for this one though, the following night. So nice and peaceful here.

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Itty bitty pocket kitty

Sunny, warm weather is here, and I did some sewing outside, bare feet and all. I’ve also been urged by some to change my mind and take the advice of Naughty Kitty! Ha. I will have to think that over as I sew. For now, I’ve got kitties to clothe, like this one…

This is Lulu. She fits in the pocket Loretta the Siamese. I hand appliquéd a heart onto this pocket and added a machine-embroidered stitch along the bottom. I used some of the rayon lace I picked up yesterday to edge the apron. Next up is a skirt and an apron bib.

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Angel or Devil?

Naughty Kitty: “Psst! Listen…I’ve got a plan for world domination!

ER: “Given the current economic crisis, is world domination even feasible right now?”

ER: “Wait, why are you girls even talking to me?

Good Kitty: “Don’t listen to her, Elizabeth…follow your heart, follow the good…

Naughty Kitty: “You’d get to be 50 feet tall and wreak havoc.”

ER: “World domination does sound kind of fun.”

Good Kitty: “No! Elizabeth, no! Spread love and understanding. Think of your family, your friends.

Naughty Kitty: “No, Elizabeth…think of your ex-boyfriends!”

ER: “Hm…

ER: “Yeah, that might be kind of fun.”

Good Kitty: “Elizabeth, please, we need you on our side. Someone’s got to look after the bunny…”

ER: “Oh, you’re right. Beulah Bunny, new this week. World domination will have to wait.”

Beulah is by Max Bailey and is a companion for Beatrice Bunny.

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Miss Beatrice Bunny by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

This is Miss Beatrice Bunny, the lop rabbit. She is the third original, one-of-a-kind folk art animal doll that Max Bailey and I have made together.

She is a sweetie.

She’s sitting on the fabrics I have picked out for her dress. She has a little violet flower painted on her undershirt that matches the violet flowers in one of her dress fabrics.

I don’t know if she is related to my Matilda. Matilda has such a funny expression. You can still find Matilda over here on our website, along with the video of me painting her. We have more animal friends planned and in the works…

There is plenty of sewing and painting to do.