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Slugs and bunnies for equality

Hug Me Slugs equality symbol, pink fleece banana slug stuffed animal toys on a red background by artist Elizabeth Ruffing

Hug Me Slugs equality symbol, pink fleece banana slug stuffed animal toys on a red background by artist Elizabeth RuffingThese are my interpretations of the equality signs that are all over Facebook today. My two stuffed toy slugs are equal, even if they don’t quite form an equal sign.

Hug Me Bunny equality symbol, pink fleece rabbit stuffed animal toy on a red background by artist Elizabeth RuffingMy bunny ears are more like it.

Here’s to equality for everyone, and compassion for all living beings.

Bindi and Jojo, black mama cat curled up in a cat bed with her daughter Jojo, black-and-white tuxedo cat, Elizabeth Ruffing

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Hearts, butterflies, and pinwheels

Grass green Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toy by artist Elizabeth Ruffing with pink butterfly gift bag and personalized hang tag

Red and green pinwheel with shadow on the ground, Elizabeth RuffingI finally got to the cardiologist, and had some tests done. It was sure stressful waiting for the two weeks for my appointment, but it turned out okay. My heart is beating irregularly, but it is structurally normal, which means the improvising it is doing is mostly just an annoyance. It is something I’ll have to get used to, even though it feels weird. It can be set off by anything that throws your body off, like fatigue or stress. Unfortunately, even normal amounts of tension can get it going. I have to work on getting more rest. The cardiologist said if it acts up, doing some exercise and getting my heart rate up can help.

I’m just waiting for some blood work to come back, to make sure I’m not anemic, that my electrolytes and magnesium are in balance, and that my thyroid is fine. I don’t expect any problems with that. The lab technician gave me this pinwheel on my way out. I was so relieved at the time. I’m keeping it as a memento on my desk as a reminder.

Grass green Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toy by artist Elizabeth RuffingI got to see my heart beating on the echo-cardiogram, which I thought was the coolest thing. I wish I had a video. I really do. The valves clap together like little hands, so precisely. They look like the furry hands of Dr Seuss’ characters. It’s amazing to watch. There is something very reassuring about seeing that and thinking about it.

I still feel stressed over the whole thing, which is giving me pins and needles, something else that acts up when I feel tension. Hopefully I will calm down more as the days go by and I’ll get used to the idea.

Grass green Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toy by artist Elizabeth Ruffing with pink butterfly gift bag and personalized hang tagI tried to get some Easter bunnies made, but people keep adopting Hug Me Slugs for Easter. So, I guess it is okay that I didn’t get my stuffed animal Hug Me Bunnies posted yet. I do have Hug Me Bunnies, if anyone is looking for one. This slug is a gift and the customer asked if I could gift wrap her. I have lots of gift bags. I seem to favor the ones with butterflies on them.

I have plans to make a lot of different toys, but I end up making slugs because people ask for them. I’m glad people enjoy them. I think I forgot to mention before that I passed my 500th toy sale.

Multicolored quilting fabrics in a pile waiting to be washed, Elizabeth RuffingI’m trying to rest more when I need to, but I’m also trying to get things done. I pre-washed more fabrics today, and I have stacks of fleece to sew into stuffed animals.

Pile of pink and lavender fleece cut out, waiting to be sewn into toys, Elizabeth RuffingI, at long last, potted my poor African violet leaf that has been waiting in a coffee cup on my desk. I have more violets to re-pot.

African violet rooted with new leaf growth, Elizabeth RuffingI hope to get around to cleaning out the flower bed in front of the porch, before more flowers poke through, but that seems like a lot right now. I have some catching up to do, with rest and with projects both.

Pink camellia flower in my hand, Elizabeth RuffingThe camellias are in bloom. They are so pretty. I picked this bloom up from the ground on our way back from a walk recently.

Cuddling sleeping black and tabby cats curled up together on my bed, Elizabeth RuffingFor the past couple of days, the weather has been dreary. The kitties responded by piling together on my bed for napping. I thought it was so cute the way they lined up in a cuddle chain. That is Phoebe, the shyest of the group, sandwiching herself between two friends.

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Handmade stuffed toy plush slugs, and Slugterra, a new show for slug enthusiasts

Hug Me Slugs handmade fleece stuffed animal banana slug art toys by Elizabeth Ruffing

Slugterra and orange fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve been making lots of stuffed toy Hug Me Slugs lately! I realized today that I have been making stuffed animal slugs for almost half a decade now! Wow, that must mean I’ve made hundreds of plushie slugs.

Slugterra and multi-colored fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI’ll be adding more adoptable slugs to our Ruffing’s shop, in all different colors!

Slugterra and bright medium green fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThey are all made of fleece and are soft and cuddly. Each one comes with a hang tag, which can be personalized. Their adopters can pick out names for them, or I print “For + a name” on the tag, which comes tied to each slug with a ribbon. There is even room for a short message on the back of each tag.

Slugterra and my hang tag for my Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

I discovered there are some slug cousins and more slug enthusiasts out there. There is a new animated show on called Slugterra, with a bunch of cute slugs, in all different colors too. They look like a fun group of characters. The slugs on the show are very action-oriented. I’m sure they will have their own toy versions soon.

Here is a video of some of the Slugterra slugs.

I found myself wanting to set all the slugs free. I wanted to release them into a shady green garden with all kinds of good things to for them eat.

Slugterra and  assorted colored fleece Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth RuffingIn my fantasy slug-world, Hug Me Slugs live in a sanctuary full of fruits and vegetables that instantly regenerate whenever a slug takes a bite out of them.

Slugterra and red fleece Hug Me Slug with a mushroom, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing When they are not eating or playing, they loll around, with the sun shining through the forest leaves above, smiling contentedly, telling each other jokes and stories. They may even have burping contests. They do seem to eat a lot.

Slugterra and purple fleece Hug Me Slug, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

I’m not affiliated in any way with the Slugterra show itself. I think my Hug Me Slugs and Bugs may be friends or relatives though. I’m sure they would enjoy playing together. Hug Me Slugs get along with pretty much everybody.They are peace-loving, gentle souls who are friends to everyone.

Slugterra and multicolored Hug Me Slugs, original stuffed animal art toys by Elizabeth RuffingPlease come visit our Ruffing’s shop to see my adoptable creatures. If you are on Facebook, please come “like” our Ruffing’s page.

Slugterra and mint green fleece Hug Me Slug with peach blossom, original stuffed animal art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Custom slugs and some more sock toads

Teal fleece Hug Me Slug, with a double heart, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThis is Buddy the Hug Me Slug. Buddy has a special mission. He was ordered by such a nice lady, to give comfort and cheer to her friend who is going through some difficult challenges right now. So that he would be full of extra love, I gave him two hearts, one on top of the other, purple for bravery, and red for love. Teal is her favorite color. I was so glad I had some teal fleece, when I was asked.

Teal fleece Hug Me Slug, with a double heart, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI tried to fill him with well wishes, and I hope his new friend will be all better soon. He went on his way this morning. I added a pretty card and gift bag so he would arrive in style.

Grass green fleece Hug Me Slug, with a yellow heart and daylilies, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThis grass green slug went to welcome a new baby boy into the world,

Purple fleece Hug Me Slug, with an orange heart, original art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing, also picturedand this purple slug went to welcome someone home.

Orange Hug Me Sock Toads with polka dots, original art toy by Elizabeth Ruffing, also picturedI finished up more Hug Me Sock Toads, in shades of orange.

Orange Hug Me Sock Toads with polka dots, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThese three polka-dotted toads look like they are wearing white undies, so I’m told.

Soft yellow Hug Me Sock Toad with polka dots, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingNew toys will be posted in our Ruffing’s shop.

Soft orange Hug Me Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI got all those batik Hug Me Bugs and Hug Me Slugs I was working on last time I wrote, posted too.

Green batik Hug Me Bugs and Hug Me Slugs, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI leave a path of fabric scraps and paper in my wake.

Elizabeth RuffingI often find these sticky-backed paper hearts stuck to the bottoms of my feet, and to the soles of my shoes. A friend said this is a photo showing “both heart and sole” 🙂

Tabby cats napping on a table, by Elizabeth RuffingMy kitty helpers have been napping a lot in the heat.

Ragdoll cat, tummy in air, sleeping, by Elizabeth RuffingSome of them are very good at passing out.

Tabby cat, tummy in air, sleeping, by Elizabeth RuffingSome look like they are dreaming of acrobatics,

Tabby cat, tummy in air, sleeping, by Elizabeth Ruffingor sailing through the air.

Tabby and white cat, by Elizabeth RuffingBut they help whenever they can. Kitties love crafts projects in between naps.

Tabby cat trying to hide under a cat bed, when she is much too big to do so, by Elizabeth RuffingBertie is hiding from everyone here. No one could possibly ever find her.

Tabby cat trying to hide under a cat bed, when she is much too big to do so, by Elizabeth RuffingJust look how inconspicuous she is.