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Not-shrinking Violet

Violet the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyI’m still working on our doll photos and blog pages for our Ruffing’s web site. I’m also adding pages for the dolls that you can see now, like this new little Siamese kitten. Her name is Violet, and she’s afraid she’s shrinking. You can read Violet’s cute story here.

Violet the Siamese Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyViolet is an original, one-of-a-kind folk art doll figurine by Max Bailey.

It has been rainy and dreary here, which is making me want to go into hibernation. I get so sleepy when it is dark and raining. I’m trying to muster up some energy!

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At work on our Ruffing’s site

Hyacinth the Blue Persian Cat, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyThis is Hyacinth the Blue Persian cat, an original, one-of-a-kind folk art doll figurine by Max Bailey. She’s in Kitty College, studying human psychology. I hear she’s got it down pat. Hyacinth is one of the many dolls getting their photos redone on our Ruffing’s site. You can read all about Hyacinth and her theories on human behavior here. I’ve been spending most of my time giving our doll photos makeovers, and organizing our blog posts on Blogspot, before I give our web site an overhaul. Below are some of the art doll figurines that are getting their photos redone.

Redoing the site is a lot of work, but I’m excited about what the end result will be. I feel like it’s going to be good, even if it takes me some time. I want it to be a site that really puts our art front and center.

Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurines by Max Bailey, screenshotEverything is still currently where it was on the Ruffing’s site. I just have a copy of the blog on Blogspot, where I’m cleaning it up and reorganizing it before I import it. Then it will be time to redirect the old pages to the new. This feels like a marathon, but I think it’s got a lot of promise.

I’m also still taking my computer classes at the Apple store. One of my Apple trainers submitted the Ruffing’s site to Apple, for possible inclusion in their “Best of One to One” showcase of web sites by people being trained in their One to One program, which was really nice of him. I have to say, they’ve all been so nice and helpful there, and I couldn’t be doing all the things I’m doing now on that old computer. I’m moving right along now, by leaps and bounds. I have an enormous amount of work to do, but I feel like I’m getting where I need to go now.

I don’t know how long it will take me to get the Ruffing’s site all fixed up, probably months, but in the end, I think it’s going to have been worth it. I am a little worried now though, that the people at Apple will come over right in the middle of things being in disarray, but I’m doing my best to get it organized as much as possible before the switch. There will be some bumps in the road, for sure, but I feel like I’m becoming a better navigator every day 🙂

Be sure to join us on Facebook for updates too!

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Mock orange and a new kitten figurine

Mock orange in bloomI went to the crawl space for a shovel to work on planting my blueberry bushes, and I was surprised to find our mock orange in full bloom. I wish I’d planted it in a more prominent location, because it’s one of my favorite bushes. I love the smell of the flowers, and it’s so beautiful.

Mock orange in bloomI think I just put it in an available spot when we first moved here, to make sure I got it in the ground. Someday, I’ll have to move some, or plant some more, where I can enjoy it.

Jessie and Jeanie, white kitten folk art doll figurine by Max BaileyI just put up the web page for “Jessie and Jeannie”, Max Bailey’s new one-of-a-kind, original white kitten folk art doll figurine. Be sure to go read her story. I love the part where she and her talking cat doll purr together as they look out their bedroom window. I think they are just adorable!

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Super Sammy Slug of Santa Cruz

12 inch yellow and blue I wouldn’t want to have to call him for help, because that would be a mouthful, but, I have to say, he looks very willing to help if asked. Or even if not asked.

Yellow and blue Super Slug“Super Sammy” the Super Slug is heading to California right now. He’s going to be a graduation gift for someone who is will be attending the University of California Santa Cruz. Their mascot is a banana slug. Their mascot’s name is also Sammy, but not “Super Sammy”, although I’m sure he is super in his own right.

I’m going to try to get some more slugs up in my Etsy shop soon, and then I think I’ll take a break from custom-made toys while I get our Ruffing’s web site reorganized. I need to edit some art doll photos and work out the blog migration over on that site. I’ll still have the “name your own” option on the soft dolls and toys, so everyone can still get some customization, which is fun for gifts or just because.