Saturday, December 2, 2006

Sorry for the delay in posting...


Hello!

Sorry it’s been awhile since my last update, bunny fiends. I’ve been on the prowl.

A few days after my last blog, in which I discussed prototypes and color variations, I went to eBay to see what was going on and lo and behold-prototypes had been listed!

There were 5 or 6 auctions up, all saying prototype in the header. So of course, I had to check it out.

Most of them were exact copies of the original ones-they were prototypes, since they weren’t printed on the bottom, but they weren’t any different than the original ones I had. Except for one.

The original was #470678, “Blessings Multiply When Shared”-a double figurine featuring two girl bunnies in dresses, bonnets, and pinafores.





In the original, the bunny on the left was wearing an orange pinafore. In the prototype, it was yellow instead.

The original-








The prototype-










Just a subtle difference really, but I was lucky enough to catch it.

I ended up getting a rare prototype for only $10.50 plus shipping. I was very fortunate in this case-I don’t think that many people picked up on the color variation, so there wasn’t a lot of interest in it.

I did a major happy dance…the cats are still traumatized.

Julia wrote me, asking me to put up some more pictures of my collection. Only too happy to oblige, my friend.

You asked about the Garden Tea Party series and the Easter bunnies. We’ll start off with the Tea Party.

The Garden Tea Party series was put out in 1998. It is actually one of only two My Blushing Bunnies series in which the bunnies are given names-the other being the Bedtime Bunnies.

(For those of you familiar with Ms. Hillman’s Cherished Teddies, you know that most of them have names, as opposed to the bunnies.)

Just a bit of trivia there...

Here are all of the figurines, grouped around the gazebo backdrop and the table and planter set.





The backdrop and table didn’t have an item number on the back…I'll try to find out what they are. If anyone out there knows, please drop me an email!










Here are the individual pieces...

Harvey Hare-a little boy bunny in a sailor shirt, holding a pinwheel. The title is “Come Fly With Me” and the number is #351075.





Cecelia Cottontail-a little girl bunny in a sailor dress, playing with an old fashioned hoop. Her title is “Hopping Along With You” and her number is #351083.





Hanna Hare-a baby bunny in a little ruffled buggy. Her title is “Love Your Bunny Nose and Bunny Toes” and her number is #351059.





Daisy Hare-A girl in a pale blue dress, holding a teacup. “Tea and Friendship Hit The Spot” and her number is #351040.





Clarissa Cottontail-one of my favorite bunnies. She’s dressed in a blue dress and carries a parasol. Her title is “Tea With You Is Sweet Indeed” and her number is #351067.









The final figurine in the series is a big one-a double figurine of a girl and boy bunny sitting together on a garden bench.

The name of the piece is “Tea for You and Me for You” and it is #351106. The bunnies' names are Hardy and Blossom Hare.





I’ve included the back view, as well as the bottom-see what a bargain I got? Unfortunately, I think that if you’re lucky enough to find one now, you’ll end up paying a bit more.









And now, on to the Easter rabbits.

The first Easter bunnies were issued in 1998. Bunnies By The Dozen featured an egg carton filled with twelve bunnies of the half shell-four each of three different designs.









There was a grey bunny in a peachy colored shell, a white bunny in a blue shell with pink tulips, and a brown bunny in a pink shell.





They all had the same item number, #465682.

Then, in 1999, Enesco put out a LOT of Easter items.

There was a set of three covered boxes, shaped like eggs. When you lifted the tops off, tiny little bunnies could be found inside. They also had the same item number-#639516.













Then there was the Bunny Trail series. This series consisted of an Easter tree and five figurines.

I remember when this series came out-my mom didn’t really care for them, so we didn’t buy them. Then, of course, Enesco cancelled the My Blushing Bunnies, and when they became impossible to find…well, then she wanted them.

These are the ones I’ve paid the most for-over $100 for most of them.





The tree was #639559.

It’s Time To Put a Little Spring In Your Step”-#639486 is a boy bunny wearing spectacles and carrying a pocketwatch.





I Count You Among My Blessings”-#639532 is a boy bunny with a wagon full of Easter eggs.





A Basket of My Best Wishes For You”- #639478 is a girl bunny with a basket full of Easter eggs.





Hoppiness Is Sharing Spring’s Treasures With You”- #639494 is a double figurine of a mother and child harvesting carrots.





You’re My Snuggle Bunny”-#639524 is a triple figurine. It features a girl, a boy, and a small child bunny. It is, by the way, one of only two figurines which feature three bunnies.





Finally, there was a Happy Easter Special Issue in 2000. The item # is 786462, and it is a little brown bunny in a basket full of spring flowers. It’s actually pretty good sized, and is very detailed.





I hope this helped!

I’ll be updating again very soon, answering a few more questions. I also have a little trivia contest for you all-the winner gets a free miniature My Blushing Bunny. Details next time!


Melissa

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