Tag: Soft Dolls and Art Toys

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Hug Me Toad and Cat stuffed animal sock toys and machine appliquéd Hug Me Slug decorative throw pillows

Mary the Hug Me Sock Toad by Elizabeth RuffingThis is Mary the Hug Me Toad. Mary had to wait a little while before taking the trip to her new home, due to the ice storm we had the other day. This morning, the roads were clear, and Mary happily hopped into her box and left for Kentucky.

Mary the Hug Me Sock Toad by Elizabeth RuffingMary had a couple of new friends to play with in my workroom, while we waited for the ice to melt. This turquoise Hug Me Sock Kitten has an orchid fleece heart. I love her sweet face.

Turquoise Hug Me Sock Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingI had quite a time trying to photograph her and the rest of the sock animals this morning. The wind was blowing and it was so cold outside. Icicles were dripping on us, and on my camera. I even had to blow dry a Hug Me Toad, when she got a drop of icicle water on her head! I think we were all glad to get back inside.

Turquoise Hug Me Sock Kitten by Elizabeth RuffingThis dark pink Hug Me Toad with white polka dots is one of triplets I made earlier. Her sisters have already been adopted. I actually have lots and lots of socks waiting to grow up to be Hug Me Toys, but I just happened to like this pattern and made three in a row. I tend to be that way.

Dark Pink with White Polka-dots Hug Me Sock Toad by Elizabeth RuffingI will be sure to add some new sock animals in different colors and patterns to my menagerie soon.

Dark Pink with White Polka-dots Hug Me Sock Toad by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve also had these two decorative Hug Me Slug accent pillows for a while. The are made with cotton fabrics sewn by machine appliqué.

Turquoise, Purple, and Oatmeal Hug Me Slug Decorative Pillow by Elizabeth Ruffing

Gold, Brown with Polka Dots, Light Blue, and Oatmeal Hug Me Slug Decorative Pillow by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Feral Cheryl, TNR Demo Cat

Feral Cheryl the TNR Demo Cat, sock cat by Elizabeth RuffingFeral Cheryl is a sock kitten with a job to do. She’s the brainchild of my friend Marie, who commissioned me to find a sock kitten with the courage to help show people how to TNR, which stands for Trap Neuter and Return. It’s really Trap Vaccinate Spay/Neuter and Return, sometimes called TVNR. Cheryl isn’t afraid of traps. She’s not afraid of anything.

Feral Cheryl the TNR Demo Cat, sock cat by Elizabeth RuffingFeral Cheryl will be joining the Alley Cats and Angels’ TNR task force, for the TNR 101 workshops Princess Marie is leading. Cheryl will fearlessly enter the safety traps they use to capture real-life feral kitties, so that this knowledge can be passed on to others, and other feral cats can be saved from the cycle of over population. It’s a serious job.

Feral Cheryl the TNR Demo Cat, sock cat by Elizabeth RuffingCheryl is fully prepared. Marie thought it would be a good idea if Feral Cheryl were to show her fierceness a little, just so people would be reminded not to hug a feral cat. So, Cheryl obliged and displayed her teeth and claws.

Feral Cheryl the TNR Demo Cat, sock cat by Elizabeth RuffingCheryl also told me she wanted a tattoo. So, I did my first tattoo! It says “Tom”, some guy Cheryl knows, I guess.

Feral Cheryl the TNR Demo Cat, hang tag by Elizabeth RuffingI even did a little digital editing on her hang tag, so the picture would share her left ear crop. For anyone who might not be familiar with the ear crop, it’s a way to identify cats in feral colonies who have already been spayed and neutered. It lets rescue groups know to re-release a feral cat who has already received his or her trip to the veterinarian.

Feral Cheryl the TNR Demo Cat, sock cat by Elizabeth RuffingIf you’d like to learn more about Alley Cats and Angels and their TNR program, please visit their web site by clicking here. They also have lots of friendly cats and kittens who are up for adoption. They are a great group of people and kitties.

Sheet of ice on the deckIn other news, this is our deck today. A sheet of ice. We will have to wait for it to melt before any toys are delivered to the Post Office or anywhere else. I’m sure Cheryl will keep them all entertained while they wait.

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Last of the holiday slugs for this year, on their way

Fleece Hug Me Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingOr all but one are on their way. One little light blue guy is waiting for a hang tag. We thought we might get our printer back today, but I have a feeling we’ll be waiting some more. The service center hasn’t been too reliable, or the people there trustworthy. I’ve written to Epson to try to find another, and more information on doing some of these repairs myself. There was only service center listed for our area on the Epson site before, and now there is none. Hm…

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI still haven’t adjusted to the idea that there is no reason I need to sew until eleven o’clock tonight. I might take a while to fully realize this. It’s hard to stop, once I am rolling along. I like hand sewing, and I like the idea of people giving and getting my handmade toys as gifts. The time crunch is a bit stressful, the long sewing hours somewhat painful, and I wish I had had more ready-made toys available….but, all in all, mission accomplished, once again, for this year. I’m sure I will fine tune the process as I go. I think, this year, my biggest pitfall was not fully believing there would be a holiday rush. I was preparing as the season approached, but I wasn’t sure what to prepare. Last year, certain colors were popular, and I had more of those ready. Then this year, people liked completely different colors. Maybe there is no way to predict. I’ll just make more toys.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. If tomorrow is nice and sunny, I may just venture out into The World and have a look around.

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Slugs by day, slugs by night

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingIt was a big weekend for finishing up Hug Me Slugs and getting them ready for their trips to their new homes. I’ve been sewing most of the day and into the night, adding smiles and eyes and hearts, all by hand, with my needle and embroidery floss. The slugs shown here have all left since Friday.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI will feel so relieved when all the slugs are on their way for the holidays. I worry each year that I won’t be able to get them all done on time. I’ve got a few more to finish up, and then I will make some different characters, which will be fun.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth RuffingI packed today’s shipment last night so I would be ready this morning. I felt happy, even though it was late, knowing I’d get these out today. We had to bring our printer in for some servicing too, and so I’m not adding any new toys until it comes back, ready to print hang tags. I need a little rest anyway.

Fleece Hug Me! Slugs by Elizabeth Ruffing, ready to shipI also had a birthday on Saturday, and received some very nice presents, which were all carefully inspected by my kitty assistants.

My kitty inspects my birthday presentMy mom and dad, in addition to helping me out by going to the Post Office for me, got me these pretty handmade bags from Janine King Designs. One is a camera bag, for the camera I don’t have yet. I’m saving up for a DSLR.  I have another bag made by Janine, and the workmanship is perfect on each of them. I also got a beautiful, and beautifully-made birthday card from my friend Jill. You can’t see very well in this photo, especially with my cat sniffing it, but the flowers and the “Happy Birthday” are raised from the surface, and the petals all turn on their centers, all done by hand. And John sent me some more yummy gingerbread cookies from Germany too. Oh and my mom made me a cheesecake, and my dad picked up Chinese food for me! Thanks everybody!

My kitty inspects my birthday presentsTomorrow I will get back to my sewing, and then I think I will stop to look around before Christmas disappears again until next year!