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New stuffed animal bunnies, Hug Me Slugs, and an EKG for me

Daffodil yellow Hug Me Slugs handmade stuffed animal banana slug art toys by artist Elizabeth Ruffing

Coral pink Hug Me Bunnies handmade stuffed animal rabbit art toys by artist Elizabeth RuffingIt’s been a long time since I updated my blog. I have a few new fleece stuffed animal toys, three coral Hug Me Bunnies and two sunny daffodil yellow Hug Me Slugs.

Daffodil yellow Hug Me Slugs handmade stuffed animal banana slug art toys by artist Elizabeth RuffingI’ve gotten some very sweet photos of my toys in their new homes. This sock kitten was a first birthday present from a little girl to her baby sister. There were little ones at the party passing the kitten around and hugging her.

Toddler hugging a red Hug Me Kitten sock kitten stuffed animal art toy by artist Elizabeth RuffingThis real kitty loves to cuddle with the Hug Me Slug her mom adopted. She takes naps with him.

Tabby cat cuddling with a grass green Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toy by artist Elizabeth RuffingI’ve been trying to get some Easter bunny toys ready, in pretty pastel colors. I’m not sure I’ll have them posted by then, but if anyone would like one of the colors below for Easter, let me know. We will put them up in our Ruffing’s shop. I’ll add more as I get them sewn and photographed.

Stack of pastel fleece for Hug Me Bunny stuffed animal art toys by artist Elizabeth RuffingI’ve been struggling with fatigue lately, which makes me feel so slow. I try to keep up a steady pace, and rest when I need to. Over the past two years, I’ve felt slower, and in the past couple of months, I started noticing I had an irregular heartbeat. I didn’t want to make too much of it, and kept hoping it would pass. It mostly bothered me in the evening, and when I was lying down.

Magenta and apple green quilt blocks by Elizabeth RuffingI was at sewing and quilting club, on Friday morning last week, and my heart started acting up more than usual, which is probably a good thing, because I was able to get over to a nearby Urgent Care office to have an EKG while it was misbehaving, and they were able to record it. I was having a lot of PVC’s in succession. I have to wait a little while for an appointment with a cardiologist, but hopefully, there won’t be any underlying issues.

Stack of quilting cotton prints, Elizabeth RuffingIt takes some adjusting to. I try to remember to practice breathing more deeply to relax, and I try to stay more propped up when I lie down so it doesn’t bother me as much. I’m watching my diet more, and taking supplements again. I’m trying to take it easy, while I wait for more information. It’s on my mind a lot, which is distracting. My aunt send me a link to a site where people share their experiences with PVC’s, and it helped to read what other people were feeling. It’s kind of like having a bullfrog in my chest who comes out with a random, “Ribbit!” at any time. If I can feel it beating, it gives the impression of pausing frequently, although it is really just the ventricle beating at the wrong time. So, I’m kind of plodding along for now, and feeling somewhat tense.

Mr Bear, tabby-and-white cat behind my sewing machine, Elizabeth RuffingI have my kitty assistants always offering to help my get my sewing done, which reminds me, I need to make some  more catnip toys.

Santana, orange-and-white cat with his paws on a striped catnip toy kicker, Elizabeth Ruffing

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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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Handmade polka-dotted sock snake stuffed toy animal

Sock Snake handmade stuffed animal snake by Elizabeth Ruffing

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI had a neat request for a custom stuffed snake to accompany one of my stuffed animal toy Hug Me Slugs to Australia.

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI’d never tried a snake. It sounded like fun to me, and it was.

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThe slug and snake are a gift for someone who had a pair of toys named “Sluggy” and “Snakey” as a child. I hope these will bring back some happy memories.

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI drew a tag for the sock snake,

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth Ruffingand found a spot on his underside for a heart.

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingHe came out pretty big, maybe 19 inches long. I had a challenge finding a box that would fit the Post Office dimension limits for First Class Mail International, but I lucked out and found I had just the right size box, one that came with some mail-order fleece.

Blue polka dotted sock snake, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI may try a Hug Me Worm next time so he, or she, will be a little smaller.

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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.