Look at This Restoration!!

 I recently won this vintage plush that was dingy and the rubber face has already started to turn dark. But, it was a plush that I've been searching for, because of this lovely vintage baby gift card I found...

First, let me show you the card that inspired me to find the plush! I found this lovely vintage baby gift card while doing my usual searches, and what caught my eye was the adorable plush on it. It's a Gund bunny with sleep eyes! He's just too cute. These Gund plushies are very hard to find and when you do find them they can sell for a lot. I have not seen any for a little over a year and just a week ago, one shows up. I bidded, won and I knew he would need a lot of work... I told myself I could do it, not knowing whether I could restore him or not...

I didn't take a before photo myself, so the one above is borrowed. This guy was filthy dirty, that he was gray and sadly his rubber face already had 'dark rubber' or plastic degradation disease. I knew that I may not find another for quite some time, so I decided to take on the task of trying to fix him. When I began, I immediately took out his stuffing and threw it out. I washed him first in the washer, and when he came out, well, he was not clean enough. He still had stains everywhere. So, I decided to hand wash him. Below, in cold water with a tide pod and some scent beads. I used a tooth brush and gently to somewhat vigorously, I scrubbed the areas that had stains on his fur. Afterwards, rinsed him, wrung him out and took him to the washer and use the drain n spin cycle to wring him out completely. Then, laid him out to dry.

While, he dried I worked on another plushie. By the afternoon, he was pretty much dry, so I restuffed him. After stuffing and sewing him up. I decided to work on his face. I cleaned his face with Mr. Clean Magic eraser. I thought to myself, "Do I want to just leave his rubber face as is or repaint it. I decided to repaint. It took several layers of paint, and in the end, I was pleased with the complexion. Next, I touched up his eyebrows, lips and added blush. After sealing, I replaced his satin pink ribbon jumper straps. Added wires to his ears and a satin bow around his neck in blue. He was done!

These were the other vintage plushies I worked on along with the bunny above. I received this lovely vintage DDR made in Germany pink and white bunny. I repainted his eyes, to make them less cat-like. I added some sunflower green buttons to his jumper and a pink dotted satin bow. He turned out lovely. I added him to my Etsy shop and was adopted and is already on his way to his new Mommy Stateside! Love when my vintage restored plushies get adopted. For me, it means they will continue to be loved by someone. That touches my heart.

I also got several pastel pink and baby blue tees done with adorable bunnies on them. They have already been added to my Etsy shop! They are great for your vintage Rushton, Gund or other plush bears, etc. to wear! Next, I ordered some adorable mod dolly fashions made by Matilda Pink! I knew they would fit my Francine doll too. Just love Diana's Mamzelle de Paris doll fashions so much!! They remind me of a time long gone. Then, I received this vintage Rushton sad bear. He needed to be restored as well.

He had his stuffing removed before wash, a restuff, repaint and I added a pink satin bow. He turned out lovely too! I will need to take photos of him with my Happy Bear as well! His fur is actually yellow and not the dingy white you see in the before pic. I also adopted another cutie made by Suiberry on IG. This time she made an Omar Rushton style mini. I couldn't resist getting one, and so he is just adorable along with my little mermaid dolly. Sui even added a few little gifts. Thank you again dear friend!!

Last for this post, is this lovely vintage ceramic pup, that I made into a furry pup! I used bubble gum pink fur on him. He has adorable big eyes and definitely a great candidate for furring. So, he turned out lovely and his pink colored fur is just yummy on him too! I almost made him purple!! Lucky I didn't!

Have a great week all, and try to keep cool no matter where you live!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Busy Creating...

 As I slowly completed some projects the past few days, I was able to begin on others to get them done. I had actually gotten this adorable vintage rubber face cat girl doll from a fellow collector via IG. She had the doll up for auction and I was actually surprise to be the winner. I had gotten her since last week. Last night into today, I decided I would work on her!

Above photo not mine, from the auction on IG. She was basically, a rubber face modified onto a 12 inch doll body. She had two fashions with her. When she arrived, I took the head off and saw that the neck was pushed in from the back of the neck, and glued in order to fit the neck joint of the doll body. I was able to remove the glue on the neck area, but the rubber part of the back neck was bent inwards and glued to fit. So, I used an Exacto knife to slowly cut at the glue and allow for the rubber to be released from its position. I then, removed the tail which was sewn onto a crochet panty. I knew I would want to use the tail to add to the plush I was going to make for her body. She was cute as a dolly, but I thought she would be better as a plushie instead.

I decided I would use the pattern for the other My Toy Co. plush kitty I restored last time. I still had the old body and could make a new one with it. I began with white fur and decided that her underside would be pink, just the way the old plush was from the other cat. Generally, when I choose a color scheme, I try to go with what the rubber face looks like and since this face had white hair I figured a white body with pink underside would look amazing on her. I began with cutting out the pattern last night, and then started sewing. By mid day, all I had to do was stuff the body, add wiring to the front paws and close the stitching. A little fur trim to match the white fur. Then, touch up of her face paint and added some blush.

By the afternoon, I just needed to add a satin bow to her. Below, here she is side by side the My Toy Co. kitty. I think her plush body is perfect on her, the fur tail also matches her quite well on her backside. I may remove the satin bow and instead use blue cord with a little bell to make a collar... I absolutely love her wittle face! She turned out quite nicely. Ugh, that just makes it harder for me to let her go if I have too! LOL

Next, I received this lovely Acid Banana necklace as a trade from Susie on IG. I have been wanting this version of her necklaces forever!!! I am so glad to be able to have one. She sells out so fast it is really hard to get one. So this beaut will be treasured. I found this lovely vtg Gund bunny to restore and resell. She just needed a good wash and given a pinafore. She is quite unique and already listed in my shop! I also found this lovely maroon Easter 1940s plush bunny. She doesn't have satin ears, but still a lovely color! I may add her to my shop? Be checking my shop often!!

Then, I found this lovely vintage pink puppy sleeping plush. She was washed and I added some flowers and a bow to her. I hope to add her to my shop soon as well. I was going to keep her, because she reminded me of the cute puppy in the vintage baby card below!! Definitely a Gund in the card. But the one I found had no tag, so I don't believe she was a Gund. But, perhaps a Genie or Columbia Toy Brand plush.

Last, this lovely Artistic Toys Inc. vintage sleepy puppy in white and hot pink. She has in gold letters the name, "Marilyn". Perhaps Marilyn Monroe? Definitely vintage, she has a little bell on her tail and is just to cute with her sleepy face and tongue sticking out. I may keep her... Not sure yet?

Summer storms are coming and going. I hope you all are enjoying your summer daze?!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Restorations...

 I've been on a roll as of late, restoring some adorable bunnies that have arrived the past week or so...

I've been obsessed by these sleeping bunnies since a fellow collector created her white Jellybuns and I adopted one. So, I was on the hunt for a sleep bunny, and sure enough when I found one, more followed. I bought a few to restore and add to my shop, well most actually. But after cleaning them up, adding satin bows and giving some a lace skirt... Well, I fell in love with them. Ugh!! The yellow sleepy bun is by Rushton, she is large and my favorite of the three I've found. I am definitely keep her! She just needed a wash, and replacement nose. Then, I took Alvina's idea of the lace or crochet skirt and bought some lace trims and added snaps to it. TaDa! She is a large version of Alvina's adorable white Jellybun, here in this post you can see what I speak of!

Then, I restored the rose pink bunny top photo of this post. She is actually a Gund Co. plush. The difference for her is that she has an X for her mouth, not felt tongue or puffy nose. She is lovely in her coloring too. I had to sew her satin ears though, the original ones were torn off. Poor baby. She is just as adorable and I love her coloring too! Next, I found a brown Gund Sleepy Bun. I believe she is more newer than the other, probably late 50s. She has the puffy nose and felt tongue, but her ears have a plastic straight piece inside it to keep her ears upright. No wires. She only needed minor restoring, a good wash and I added a satin dotted ribbon and the hot pink lace skirt. She is already listed in my shop!

Sometimes Ross stores surprise me! Taby found this pink Crosley record player. She actually found a black one for Sam, and I told her if she ever saw a pink or blue to think of me. LOL... and she did!! I plugged it in and its bluetooth as well! Yay! I played a vintage Miyako Maki art printed record from Japan, and also a fellow collector's band record with cute plushies on it. The Band is called, "Mint Lee Noka". Here I thought their music just instrumental, but, no. Their songs are adorable, as if the cute vintage plushies they have on their record come to life to play music. One of their songs is called "Midnight Celebration", and is sings about them coming to life to eat and play. Too cute!

I also received more copies of my New Book on my plush finds. They are already listed in the shop! Than, I asked sweet Sui of Suiberry minis to make me a mini version of her large sleepy bun and she did! She also made me a mini Chubby Tubby Cherub as a gift!! I was thrilled and so happy to receive them so quickly too! They are adorable additions to my mini Rushton collection too! The Yellow sleepy bun goes with me everywhere now!! Thank you sweet Sui, I love them!! Next, I had some adorable Tees made for my plushies, these are also available in my shop! Sadly, my Happy bear couldn't fit it, but at least my medium sized plushies can. I hope to bring in other styles soon too!

These adorable vintage Ado Mizumori ceramic lady ornaments are also in my shop! Very Rune Naito too! Love their bouffant hairstyles! Next, I found while searching this lovely vintage puppy pillow! It was handmade by someone's mom or grandmother back in the 50s or 60s, I believe. There is also a simplicity pattern it is made from. I fell in love with the fabric and that face!! Then, I could not help myself and adopted this wooden crib toy from a fellow collector's shop!! I love the colors and it's a pull toy. When you pull on the string, his legs and arms move up and down. Just too cute and made in Italy.

Last, these two cuties, I have already listed in my shop. The Knickerbocker pouty bear you probably have seen often, the difference is that this one has a music box at his back. I had to replace it since the original one was broken. He's been washed and repainted. I then, added this adorable striped 80s style shirt on him. Now he is ready to be loved and listed in my Etsy shop. The My Toy Co. bunny after, was an ebay find. He needed a good wash, a little touching up of his facepaint and I added more stuffing to his neck so that the head is stable. Replaced wires in his ears and added a blue satin bow. I believe he is another version of "Thumper" from this series of animals. Just the sweetest face too! Both are in my Etsy shop now!! If you don't see them, then, they have sold. Have a great rest of your week friends and collectors!!

Thank you so much for stopping in! ~ ggsdolls