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Blue skies are back again

Kitty cat sleeping with his head on the umbrella handle by Elizabeth RuffingWe were without power, most of the day yesterday, due to Irene, but we got so lucky in that there was no damage right where we are. The road crews must have been working all night, and our power came back on about 11pm. Thank you to everyone who is, and has been, out there working to help after the storm, and thank you to all the news crews who stayed on the air to keep us informed while we listened to our radio. A lot of people are without power, just half an hour away, and they may be out for days. There is a big run on generators at the local home improvement stores even today.

My kitty knew there was trouble outside, and he stayed close. Yesterday morning, I saw he was sleeping with his head on the umbrella handle. I thought that was so funny. I’m so glad we are all okay, and today is beautiful and sunny. We’ve been watching the news, and hoping for the best for everyone all along the coast. Hope you are all safe.

Turquoise fleece Hug Me Slug with a bright yellow heart by Elizabeth RuffingI finished up another turquoise fleece Hug Me Slug this afternoon. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Turquoise fleece Hug Me Slug with a bright yellow heart by Elizabeth RuffingI couldn’t see well enough to sew yesterday, with the heavy rain, the clouds, and no lights. I feel so happy to have running water, electricity, and clear skies today.

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Settling in for the stormy weekend

Mauve-pink and lavender fleece Hug Me Bunnies by Elizabeth RuffingWe’ve been getting ready for Irene here in North Carolina, and I’m tired from moving our outdoor things into safer places, so they won’t fly in the wind, if the winds get heavy here. We had our first downpour this afternoon, and I got soaked. It calmed down afterward, but the storm is expected to arrive here in the middle of the night, according to the reports. We’re hoping for the best for everyone in the storm’s path. Hope everyone will stay safe and sound.

Mauve-pink fleece Hug Me Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingI made sure to send my current orders out by the end of yesterday, to be safe, in case the power goes out. This is a custom Hug Me Bunny that went on her way to New York.

Sasquatch long-haired gray-and-white kitten, photo by Elizabeth RuffingI had a nice surprise, in that one of my photos of Sasquatch, the puffy gray-and-white kitten from Alley Cats and Angels of NC, was featured on The Consumerist website today. I hope that helps him get adopted.

Sasquatch long-haired gray-and-white kitten, photo by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Four Hug Me Kittens, two Hug Me Slugs, handmade stuffed animal toys

Gold fleece Hug Me Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingThese are the fleece Hug Me Kittens I finished yesterday, and the Hug Me Slugs I finished today. I’ve been running outside in between finishing small groups, or even finishing one, to photograph them. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Dark berry pink fleece Hug Me Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingOrdinarily, I like to keep doing whatever task I am already doing, because I feel like I get more done that way, but I’ve been accumulating crowds of unfinished creatures. Finishing them up feels good too.

Gold fleece Hug Me Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingOnce I get more proficient at digital coloring, I’d like to get some of these characters in two-dimensional form, and maybe try some illustrated stories.

Pink fleece Hug Me Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingI’d like to learn more about putting stories together in PDF format. That seems like an interesting idea. Maybe someday there will be a single standard format for eBooks, so people can read them on all the various devices that are available. I see that Pages lets you create both PDF and ePub files. More for me to learn.

Magenta-purple fleece Hug Me Slug by Elizabeth RuffingI might try personalized prints celebrating births or special occasions. I’d also like to think of some fun things I could mix with artwork, beyond having prints. It would be great to have some items that I don’t have to make myself, as all the handmade items require more of an investment of time than most people probably realize.

Soft light orange fleece Hug Me Slug by Elizabeth RuffingI do enjoy making things by hand. It would just be nice to expand beyond that.

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Hug Me Bunny multiplication, handmade rabbit stuffed animal toys

Cream and light camel fleece Hug Me Bunny Rabbits by Elizabeth RuffingHere are today’s fleece Hug Me Bunnies, in cream and light camel.

Light camel fleece Hug Me Bunny Rabbits by Elizabeth RuffingThe light camel one came out extra squishy. I was giving him some extra squeezes while I was sewing him.

Cream and light camel fleece Hug Me Bunny Rabbits by Elizabeth RuffingI will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.