Summer has Begun!

 Sara started summer since this past Monday. She has had a great online school year and her grades are even better than they were in 7th grade when the pandemic began. The island is slowly opening up and I see tourists coming back to our little island. So much is going on, some good and some not so good. I pray for the family affected by gun violence. I hope our elected leaders find better solutions...

May is on its way out, and life has been blessed to be busy. I recently found some adorable vintage goodies and have been blessed to work on some commissions as well. This vintage Jr Elf book titled, "Bunny Blue" is a fave. I finally had an opportunity to buy one. It arrived safely to me and talks about this little blue bunny and his adventures. You see he lives in a toy box with other toys that belong to Hope Ann. At night when she is asleep they come to life. Sound familiar? Yup, like "Toy Story". Haha. But this particular bunny lost his big satin bow. He goes on a quest to find it.

You will have to read the book to find out more. But, mostly I love the graphics. There is just something about vintage art for children back then. Just like the toys, more details, more simple, yet endearing. It's one of Jr Elf books lovely editions for sure! I've also become a bit obsessed with 1940s and 50s toy rattles. I found this adorable blue one in the best condition, that I've seen. He will be a part of my collection. The one after it, came from a lot of rattles I found on ebay. I've restored the others and they have sold already, but this one I am still deciding to keep or not. Haha!

Next, I found these mint in package blue craft leaves made in Japan. They will be great to make a wreath with or use in some crafting project. I have a few listed for sale in my Etsy shop. I don't need them all. I've also fallen in love with these French Victorian ring caskets made with glass. Basically, jewelry box for your rings. Inside it has lovely satin lined pillows and the top has a building lined with flags and the words, "Exposition 1900" on it. They also make them without the famous French building or landmarks. But this was one of the cheapest ones I've found thus far. They can be very expensive. But definitely a unique piece of French History. Reminds me of Bridgerton the Netflix series. Or at least that era.

This lovely 80s Victorian wood doll pull toy, I got for my collection, and look at this adorable set of Green Arnart kitties! They were all at a decent price, so I figured why not! Haha! Than, I found this lot of American Greetings card books from the 60s and 70s. Do you recall them? I do. Back in the early 70s, I was probably about 4 years old, my sister had a few of these books and I remember reading one. I thought it was about Adam and Eve. I remember looking at the book and thinking, "Aww, it's about God and bible stories." I recall reading it thinking it was a story or something. Now as an adult, I was searching for this book for the last 3 years since recalling it. But, never found it under Children's religious books, and that's only because it wasn't...

Instead it was a card book about a couple's anniversary!!! Oh my goodness, in my mind as a little kid, I thought it was the story about Adam and Eve. I must've been a lot younger, cause, I don't even think I could read it. I was only guessing what it said!! LOL In this lot above, I found it again and I'm so happy. Mostly because it was a book from my childhood. Probably something my parents got as a gift and my sister kept it. It was an Anniversary card for a married couple, and not about Adam and Eve. Though it was drawn like the couple are Adam and Eve. Too cute!

 

I've kept a few and listed a few of the card books in my Etsy shop. This groovy Radio Shack Genie Lamp was an awesome find online. I never knew one existed. It's similar to the Magic Eight ball toy. But this lamp, used batteries. Sadly, it doesn't work. Still it is a lovely piece of toy history. I also adopted this adorable Rushton vintage sleepy bunny from a dear friend in Germany. She even added a little cute duckling. So adorable and Sara claimed it too! Haha! The bunny is the 3rd one in my Rushton collection of its style.

This amazing groovy ceramic wall art is made by Ron Chereskin. I was drawn to it for its grooviness. Love the colors and the lady looks a lot like High Fashion Lina! Definitely a keeper. Now to find a spot on my wall for it. Also an update to my little sleepy Rushton kitty...

I was able to get him done in pink fur with blue felt paws and feet. He turned out lovely. I will cherish him. I still have his original fur and will keep it for now. In case I decide to put him back together. He had blue ears at first, but that did not turn out the way I liked so I made it all pink instead. He is such a cutie and I love him very much!

My little babies all napping... I have two other items I will share in my next post. One is a commission, that is so far quite interesting to say the least! More on that one soon and also a rare find for a Rushton!

More next time!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

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

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