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The Cleveland Strawberry Festival in Clayton, NC

Bertie with Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingSome of my toys are going to the Cleveland Strawberry Festival in Clayton, NC tomorrow. This is the first time I’ve tried them out at an event. It’s their first time out of the house too 🙂 They’ll be at the Alley Cats and and Angels booth.

Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI put them in cello sleeves to keep them clean, and fit as many as I could into the bin I got. I made a whole lot of tags for them, not knowing how many I’d need. I had picked out almost again as many toys as are in this box.

The Cleveland Strawberry Festival in Clayton, NC$10 from the sale of the Alley Cat Angels, $5 from the Hug Me Sock Kittens, and $5 from the 7-inch Hug Me Slugs will go to Alley Cats and Angels of NC to help cats and kittens in need.

Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingPlease come out if you are in the area.

I made this little sign for the side of my box.

Hug Me Slugs, Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThere will also be catnip toys (kickers, cigars, and pouches), cat beds, and cookies, all made by volunteers, at the rescue booth. These cigars are a big hit in our house. (I borrowed these two photos below from the rescue.) I have to get some more of those.

Orange cat playing with catnip toysThey made a huge number of catnip knots, and put them all in cello sleeves with tags on them. I gave them a PDF of the tags I did before, along with some cello sleeves, and they came out nice. Very cheerful.

big box of catnip knotsHope you’ll come out and have a look around.

Cleveland Strawberry Festival
Near the junction of Highway 40 & 42
I-40, Exit 312
919-773-8448

Hug Me Slugs and Hug Me Sock Kittens, original art toys by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Welcome spring

Bright pink azaleas, by Elizabeth RuffingHappy first day of spring! We’ve been enjoying spring weather for a few weeks already here. These bright pink  azaleas are blooming today by the back steps.

Grass Green Fleece Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI finished a couple of grass green Hug Me Slugs. One is available for adoption, and the other has a home already. I will be posting my handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop

Grass Green Fleece Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingToday was the first day of our getting our heating system replaced too.

Putting in a new heating and air conditioning systemWhen the crew pulled out the old duct work and various elements, I was amazed how huge the pile was. This is only part of it.

Putting in a new heating and air conditioning systemI’m so glad we didn’t wait for anything to break down. That rusted box above doesn’t look like it would have lasted much longer.

Putting in a new heating and air conditioning system, workman bootiesThe guys worked so quietly all day, hardly talking at all. Then they picked up, and went home, again quietly, leaving a pair of booties behind. They should be back tomorrow to hook up the new heat pump.

New Trane heat pump

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Camouflage Hug Me Slugs

Camouflage Fleece Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI just finished two 12-inch camouflage fleece Hug Me Slugs. I will be putting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop. This 9-inch guy on the right is spoken for already.

Camouflage Fleece Hug Me Slug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThese are slightly different color combinations, one more brown/tan/olive/black, and the other more in muted olive and taupe.

Camouflage Fleece Hug Me Slug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI finished a 9-inch dark royal blue Hug Me Slug with a bright light green heart as well.

Dark Royal Blue Fleece Hug Me Slug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI have to get a path cleared through my workroom, so the heating crew can get in tomorrow. We’re having a new system put in, since ours was getting on in years. I hope they can fit into the room with the toys piled everywhere.

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Bugs, slugs, and a kitty

Light Yellow Fleece Hug Me Bug, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI will be putting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop. This afternoon, I have Hug Me Bugs, Hug Me Slugs, and one Hug Me Kitten sock kitten. This bug is posing in front of our blooming peach tree.

Purple Fleece Hug Me Slug, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI counted the toys I had stuffed and stacked, which are waiting in my workroom for detailing, and I was surprised to come up with sixty-five! That doesn’t seem possible.

Light Yellow Fleece Hug Me Bug, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI have it in mind to aim for one hundred. I have no idea how long that will take me to do.

Mint Green Fleece Hug Me Slug, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI feel like I work very slowly, but I’ve been plodding along steadily, I guess.

Light Pink Fleece Hug Me Slug, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI sit in front of the television, watching random movies while I do my hand sewing, usually with a couple of cats nearby. Cats like crafts projects.

Red and Orange Striped Hug Me Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingToday we opened our windows because it was so beautiful outside. So, the cats took turns at the open window and weren’t as interested in sitting right next to me today.

Tabby cats enjoying an open window by Elizabeth Ruffing