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Replenishing the toad population

Assorted Hug Me Sock Toads, in progress, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI was fresh out of toads this morning. The last Hug Me Toad I had ready is heading off to the Netherlands. I can’t do without toads.

I got this pink one done and posted this afternoon. I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

I’ve had to take a couple of detours to do computer junk.

Pink Hug Me Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingMy WordPress blog theme wasn’t displaying right. I lost some of my widgets on my sidebar, and gained an extra menu at the top of my page. Unfortunately, I didn’t save a copy of the last version of my theme before the latest update. I tried to change it to an alternate theme, but for some reason, it didn’t change anything, except that it ate some of my widgets. The message at the top of the admin page said all my widgets would be put back where I had them, but some went missing.

After trying various advice, and trial and error, I finally got rid of the extra menu by going into my theme’s stylesheet and changing this:

.menu {
/*width:940px;*/
float: right;

to this:

.menu {
display:none;
}

I was relieved to have figured that part out, but I still had, and still have, some missing widgets from my sidebar. At least I know how to put new widgets up, when I get a chance. It took a while to get my Sitemeter widget back, so I can see view my website traffic.

Pink Hug Me Sock Toad, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingAperture, one of the programs I use to edit and organize photos, wasn’t cooperating with me the day before. It was too full. It wouldn’t even open so I could delete anything. It seems to be functioning again, after cleaning out the trash I’d forgotten to empty. I’d forgotten Aperture has its own trash folder in addition to the main one for the computer. I get annoyed having to take time fiddling with computer/software issues. Thankfully, most of the time, everything goes smoothly.

Cats napping together in the sunshine, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingPhoebe finally got Zoomie to give her a bath today, like he does for Bertie. She has been shyly approaching him, pushing her forehead under his chin. She was so happy. After her bath, they took a nap in the sunshine together. Zoomie is going to have paws full with the two girls asking for his attention.

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Rainbow bugs and slugs

Rainbow Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThe rainbow bugs and slugs I was working on in my last post are all up and ready.

Rainbow Hug Me Bug and Hug Me Slug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Rainbow Hug Me Bug, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’m still sewing together Hug Me Toad bodies.

Cobalt blue, Light Turquoise, and Bright Light Green Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI finished some solid color slugs too.

Bike trainer standWe are starting to get some hot days. I ordered a bike trainer so I could ride my bike in the living room, where I can enjoy air conditioning.

Kitty investigating bike trainer standI thought the “kittens” would be afraid, but they were both curious, especially Phoebe, who is the nosier of the two. They may be getting big to call kittens, especially Bertie, but they still look like kittens to us.

Bike trainer stand climbing blockI have a climbing block on the front tire to keep the bike level.

Elizabeth RuffingMy mom took some photos of me and I stitched these two together, clones of myself.

Miniature dollhouse-sized art doll kittens by Max BaileyI have more photos to edit of Max Bailey’s cat and kitten dolls. I’m in the process of getting these posted over on our Ruffing’s blog. The kittens above are, from left to right, Ingrid, Francine, Mitzi, Stephanie, and Lola.

Gomez, Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingI’m also going through my rescue cat and kitten photos of the past couple years, seeing what might work for the Alley Cats and Angels’ fundraiser calendar.

Edmund, Ginger Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingIt’s going to be black and white. I have to go back to the original files to get the right size for each, since they have to fit the calendar format.

Pugsley, Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingI have photos of lots of sweet kitties who have been in the rescue.

Wednesday, Tabby kitten by Elizabeth RuffingHope everyone had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

Waldo, Gray kitten by Elizabeth Ruffing

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Bugs, slugs, and toads in progress

Rainbow of Hug Me Slugs and Bugs in progress, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’m closing in the the sixty-five or so toys I had in all stages in my workroom. These have their features pinned on and ready to sew.

Hug Me Sock Toads in progress, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingI’ve had some requests for more sock toads, and I’m working on some of those too. I got a lot done on these, while waiting at the dentist for my mom. I sat in the car stuffing them.

Lucy, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Tabby-and-white Kitten by Max BaileyWe have lots of cute kitten dolls up over on our Ruffing’s blog. They keep multiplying faster than I get them photographed and posted. I still have lots of photos to edit, and Max Bailey has five new kittens still to photograph. The kittens above are, from left to right, Brandy, Pepper, Catherine, Lucy, and Emily.

White duck with a mallard duck, photo by Elizabeth RuffingOur duck friend was all alone for a few months, after a loose dog killed the rest of the flock. She was all by herself on the pond, quacking loudly. We bring her cracked corn and she appears to appreciate the company as well as the corn. A couple of weeks ago, we showed up with our duck snacks, and found two ducks waiting. This handsome mallard must have heard her call. He’s very loyal to her, and they come visit us together. We are so happy she isn’t alone anymore, and hope they’ll be safe.