New Special Creation!

   A special project came into my hands back in early May of last year. If you recall I was tasked to create an alien monkey from a TV show back in these posts... Fast forward to now, and the very same person wanted me to create a similar unique creature only he had imagined I could do for him!

The original look of the monkey body.

In May 2025, Robert contacted me proposing an idea of sorts. At the time, I had become a full time babysitter to my third grandchild. So of course, I had no time to do any restorations or commissions. I didn't want to begin one either knowing I may not be able to complete it. So, I politely declined and he was of course sad about it but very understanding. Throughout that day I could not stop thinking about it, and so I decided, perhaps I could try...

I wrote Robert back and said, that to him, but also that it would take a lot of time and I needed to know whether there was a specific date the new friend had to be completed. Sure enough, he was in no rush and even gathered all the materials I would need to help this new creature come to fruition! By late June of that year, the box with the plush arrived along with all the items to help make him.  Summer of 2025 was busy as I had a family trip and lots of things happening as well. So, I didn't revisit the project until Mid August. 

Removing the seams on the fabric.

Sewing on the scale fabric.

 I finally began the project of taking what had originally been a monkey plush with black fur, just like Bloop's original body and removed the rubber face and the fur. The monkey's body was a bit more simple, I just had to cover with it the green fur Robert had given to be sort of a suit on the body and add some scaling fabric to its chest and more fur to its hands and feet. The face would need to be recreated completely. So by September, I had finished the scales on the chest and the limbs fur. Now all I had to focus on the rubber face. The new creature's face was somewhat a bit more tricky to do. Because I had to work with the fact that I had no pattern to start with. You see when I had completed Bloop, I had the pattern set aside when she was completed back then, I somehow misplaced that very same pattern. So, I had no choice but to recreate a pattern all over again for this creature. It took time and days when I didn't have to babysit my grandchild. So it was just finding the right timing to complete the face once I got the pattern done. I made sure the rubber face was prepared and ready along with the ears.

The original pattern for the head and the rubber face, after being removed.

  

The rubber ears and fur cut out from the recreated paper pattern.

After new fur is sewn onto the rubber face. I had to replace the eye lock that was missing.

First attempt at the creature...

By October of 2025, I had finished the creature. At least, I thought I was! But upon inspection by Robert, he saw that it wasn't up to the specifics he had imagined. The ears weren't flushed with the face, the top of the head was a bit too pointed, and the face wasn't framed properly. Robert sent me a photo of Bloop and a drawing of the look for the creature he had imagined. So, it was back to the drawing board for me! I didn't revisit the creature until December, mostly because I was expecting my fourth grandchild and was off island for that trip! I tried my best to get the ears just right, but it still didn't work out. So, I was stumped! I had to sit there and really brainstorm about what was going on and how I could get it to work out like my first creation. At first, I thought perhaps it was the ears that I was given. Maybe it was too soft, pliable and needed help to keep it sturdy. But that wasn't the only issue. I realized later that it was the pattern I had created for it! Instead of two sides of the pattern I had only cut out one side of it. So I immediately fixed that issue and sure enough, along with wires and the two sides, that ultimately helped the ears in more ways than I had hoped for, Yay!!

I sent photos of the now second attempt of the creature, Robert gave his review of it and it was still not quite what he had hoped. The creatures face wasn't fuller and the fur didn't frame the face properly. I was angry at myself for the creature not being up to par for him. So, I had to ask myself, "Okay, what in the world is wrong here?" Robert had shown me the photo of Bloop and a drawing he made of the new creature and talked about Bloop's face details. I looked and looked, at his photo of Bloop and this creature... Then, it finally hit me!! That's why!!! Duh!! 

I realized it was the fur pile!! "What the heck is that, you ask!" Well it's the length of the hair on the fur, for those of you who don't know. The one he had purchased at the start of the project was only a one inch pile. I needed a longer hair pile at least three inches long to be exact. This was what I had used for Bloop's black fur. So I was able to find some examples for Robert to get. Sadly, my usual go to shop for my furs didn't have the color I needed to match this plush. Ugh. Luckily, Robert was able to find some and he immediately purchased it and had it shipped to me. Yippee!!

2nd attempt by January.

It was now a new year, 2026 to be exact, and January already! Armed with the new fur, I began the tedious work of removing and re-cutting and sewing the new fur so that everything was ready. In February I decided to take a bit of a break as it was my birthday month. By early March, I was done with this new vintage style creature. The fur worked out way better than I had hoped. After sending Robert the photos of my third attempt at completing the creature and sharing back and forth. He noted that the face and framing of the fur still needed more work to look similar to Bloop. So, I knew at least I had gotten this far. Robert harnessed my skills even further and made the encouragement I needed to push myself to help bring this new creature to life!

Third attempt above.

 A week later by the end of March I had felt a lot more confident in this creature's look and immediately contacted Robert! Sure enough, he was pleased with the new creature!! I was so thrilled and thankful for all his encouragement and patience with me!! After what felt like ages, the new, "Sea Monkey" creature was completed!! I was so happy more so for Robert and for him to enjoy this amazing creation! If it wasn't for his belief in me and harnessing my talents I wouldn't have even thought my hands could create this awesome Sea Monkey!! Haha!

Sea Monkey Bloop!!

I couldn't wait for him to receive the Sea Monkey, so I immediately shipped him off. So I hope to update you all with a photo from Robert when this creature is where he is meant to be displayed!! 

If you have read this far, thank you and for sharing a part of my recent commission experience! 

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls 

Bloop: Mission Accomplished

    Back in 2022, I was commissioned to create a character from the television show, "Lost in Space". The last update here.  Well, fast forward to this past April. Fellow collector Robert, shared with me that he went to an event and brought his "Bloop" to meet Marta Kristen. Marta is the actress that played the Judy Robinson from the TV show! OMG!!

Left to Right: Marta Kristen, Bloop, and Robert.

 

    He wrote, "Just wanted to let you know mission accomplished! I got to meet Lost in Space cast member Marta Kristen. I brought along your Debbie the Bloop to also say, 'Hello'. Upon seeing this great prop, Marta stood up and ran from behind her autograph table yelling, "My Bloop! My Bloop!" She just loved it and hugged her in her arms like a child. Then she posed for quite a few pictures. Other fans who came by also asked if they could use Bloop for photo ops. She was a hit ! I made my goal of having me and that awesome figure you made, being photographed with a cast member from the show. Thanks again for such an outstanding job on her worthy of making such an impression! - your space friend Robert"  

I was very humbled by his message, to hear how happy Marta was and how she was touched that he brought his 'Bloop' to see her. Then, knowing that his mission was accomplished, definitely was a feeling of 'Joy and Love' honestly. That something I helped create, had made a difference in someone else's life. This all brings positivity into the world, and a world that needs it too! Thank you again Robert for sharing this great news with me!!

Be the solution in helping others be happy. There is a satisfaction in knowing that you were a part of something that is positive...

Thanks for reading! ~ ggsdolls 

News on Bloop Update!!

 If you recall back on July 18, 2022 post here. I was commission to make a character from the TV show "Lost in Space"!! Sadly, the convention my customer Robert M. was supposed to attend fell through. So, after some time he has just been enjoying "Debbie's" presence amongst his collection. Until recently...

Robert messaged me and shared that he attended a collector's show and guess who he has photographed Debbie with?! Actor Butch Patrick/Eddie Munster!! Read his message to me below...

Robert: "Hello Gigi! I want to share this picture with you from a collector’s Show I attended today. Your Bloop is being held by Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) from the 1960’s show, "The Munsters". He was remembered for having a little doll in the show he carried everywhere called, 'Woof Woof'. This sort of recreates that moment. Actual fact one episode of this show had the Munsters' grandfather think he used magic to accidentally change Eddie's friend into a chimp. The friend was played by Billy Mumy (Lost in Space) the chimp was played by 'Judy the chimp' actor who played 'the Bloop'. So it made perfect sense to set this photo up today. That’s me with the Frankenstein shirt, my brother is on the other side of Butch. You made this moment happen and I wanted you to know how much I still appreciate what you brought to the world. Happy Fourth! Best to you and family" 

He went on to add, "The moment I put Bloop on Butch’s autograph table, he told about that episode and it being the same chimp in both shows. As we set up for a picture I told him I had intended it for a "Lost in Space" actor to pose for this and he said “ Well, I guess the Munsters’ have to step in!" That gave us a nice laugh as his wife took the picture."

I'm so very happy to hear that Bloop made an impression on Butch and I hope that Robert in the future is able to get her photographed with one of the Lost in Space actors. It was a true pleasure to work with Robert and to know that Bloop has and will touch other peoples lives!

Thank you again to Robert M. for keeping in touch and sharing his adventures with Debbie!! It means a lot to me dear friend!!

Until next time guys!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Commission to Space!!

    Well, not really. But one that is space related to a famous family TV show titled, "Lost in Space". No, not the Netflix version, but the good old 1965 version of the TV series. I was commissioned by a fan back in April of this year, named, Robert M. He simply messaged me via Etsy on my Restoration listing asking if I would be interested in transforming a vintage plush chimp he had into the character, "Debbie the Bloop" from the TV series for his collection.

 

 

 

     Of course I was a bit taken aback, only because, my listing was for restorations, and not a complete transformation of a plush into something else. So, I wrote him back asking if I was just to change out the ears? He explained himself better and he sent me photos of Bloop to help. I was somewhat hesitant at first, but the idea of just trying was in my head before I knew I could even make the idea become reality...    

    When the plush chimp arrived, I removed all stuffing and as per usual washed and cleaned her up. I had to wait a week for the black fur to arrive from my supplier. I began immediately when the fur came in, working on her by removing her face and ears to begin the process of creating the dome shaped head that Bloop has. I drew out the pattern for both her head and ears, and began cutting the fur. I had sewn the dome head and decided that foam and stuffing would work to my advantage in creating the dome head Bloop's character had. In the photos above, Bloop's dome head is actually a hat. I thought of creating that at first, like you would with ears for a hat that perhaps, a Blythe doll would wear or one for Cosplay. But, that was not what Robert had wanted. He wanted her head to become this character. I was somewhat fighting within myself, because I restore vintage and didn't want to take away from this vintage plush. In the end, it is what the customer wants that is my job. So, I began the journey of creating 'Bloop'.

    Creating the ears for Bloop was a bit of a conundrum. LOL I knew I could create the pointy ears with wire and the fur fabric, so I did. But, how could I incorporate it onto the existing ears... It was a lot of trial and error. I had completed it up to this point. The head was a bit high, so I took it in some on the top of Bloop's head. The wires created a perfect high point tip and was sewn into the side of the head with the ears. My first attempt was worthy but, the ears were missing something, I wasn't sure what?! So, I asked my kids, and Tevin suggested I use prosthetic elf ears. It was like a TADA moment!! A light bulb or more like lightening hit me! Yesss! I thanked Tevin for the idea and went to my local Halloween store, of course after calling them, if they had any, and they did in two styles too!! Yippee! Robert also asked me to add more fur around Bloop's hands and feet.

    Early June, I began the idea, hoping that the elf ears would work! But, when I got them home. They were a lot smaller than I had hoped. Ugh. Yes, I did measure the ears before buying them, but I wasn't sure how to incorporate them onto the ears I had already completed. The idea of abandoning what I had created thus far was something I didn't want to walk back at first. So, I decided to cut the elf ears into parts and painstakingly sew and glue them onto the ear that was already on Bloop... My second attempt.

    After sharing the photos with Robert, he was very kind and told me, he thought the ears could be a lot more uniformed. Honestly, I agreed with him. He had wanted me to "Go for the Gold!" was his expression, and my head was still in the save the originality of the chimp mode. Robert made me fully understand that he was okay if I had to cut the ears or alter them. Once I was able to let go of the idea of it being a restoration project, and more of an 'imagineering' one, like that of Disney! I finally, let go. He even liked the idea of the elf ears and did his research to find me ones that were large enough to fit on this Bloop. Sure enough by mid June he had found a set in the UK. Now, I just had to wait for them to arrive to me in the mail. In the meantime, my family and I had gone on our family vacation. When I returned home, sure enough the elf ears were in the mail. Inside the box, was Robert's suggestions along with a diagram of what he wanted and a print out of the actor who played Will and Bloop.

    I truly appreciated the fact that he gave me a bit more instructions as to how we could manage the elf ears and realize them onto Bloop. I began working on Bloop this past week, and here was the end results below. At first, I painted the ears to match skin color as it was a very pale skin tone. But then realized it needed to be more of an orangey brown to match her face, hands and feet skin tone. So I repainted them, and thanks also to Sara who noticed it first and gave me her critique on them. Thanks my girl! Third times the charm!!

The Chimp above before and Bloop after. She looked more like the Bloop she was meant to become. I took photos and shared them with Robert. He was thrilled and appreciated the work I had done. Bloop is now on her way to her forever home. I am so thrilled to have been taken outside of my comfort zone and was able to help realize something that was just an idea a few months ago, into something that is now a reality. I truly appreciate Robert M. for giving me the opportunity to challenge myself and my skills of restoring. Debbie will be forever a plush who has gotten me to believe in myself and what I can make possible.

    It is in being challenged that we find the faults in ourselves and what can be imagined as well. We only need awesome people like Robert to help us realize our true skills. You know what Rob, you are like Walt Disney, your belief in me, made Bloop a reality, and for that I thank you sir!! Robert even shared with me his other reason for wanting Bloop created. But, I won't share what that is yet, until after the event. I hope to be in contact with him to find out how it all went... Bloop's story will continue!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls