maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Dec 12, 2009 13:08:50 GMT -5
Kit’s Cookstove Item# F6583 Kit uses this stove to help Mother cook for the family. It’s perfect for making big meals—the faux-marbleized enamel top gives her a place to keep bowls of produce handy. The doors above the stove really open, and a play temperature gage lets Kit know how hot the stove is inside. Girls can open the firebox door to see the pretend wood fire glow. $68 Awesome Cyber Monday Sale: Let's not harbor any fantasies here, the sucker is made of plastic. A smooth, lightweight shinny plastic. The main colors are light blue and a shade of ivory. The marble counter top is a very faux shade of rose-tint marble. The oven comes in two pieces, which come together in about two minutes. I have not yet tired to take it apart again but it seems like that would be a difficult process. Due to the unattractive state of the cook stove's backside, keep it close against the wall. The cook stove as a lot of potential storage place, which is what made me want to get the thing in the first place. It seems like it can store at least Kit's Produce and Preserves set and her holiday treats stuff. The top self is big enough to display a couple of bowls along with some cooking supplies. The cookstove with Kit's produce/preserves, Kit's holiday treats, Kirsten holiday treats and the cans from Kit's hobo accessories. The bottom storage could use a little space, but everything has a place on top of the stove. American Girl, seriously? By 1934 a formally wealthy family in a big city would had owned an electric stove. Furthermore, this picture would even make the most innocent little girl go REALLY? : Other than the so-fake fire the cook stove does have some realistic details. The door has a small temperature gage reader. Not very detailed but the thought is there. Also, the cook stove has some pretty little details like the embossed flowers along the stove. The stove top. It would had been really cool if the lids were removable like old iron ovens but alas. Kit looking at her new cook stove. Kit is slightly taller than the cook stove and it is scaled to her size. Kit, the cook stove, the washing machine and the desk to show size range. All three are very study pieces of furniture but unlike the desk, the cook stove is more likely to stand up to some very heavy cooking playtime. I'm glad that I waited for Cyber Monday. Things worth $68 are Samantha's bike and Kirsten's holiday treats, this stove is just not in their league. The storage ability and display quality are worth the price of probably $58 and under but don't pay full price. A for awesome sale price B- for full price.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Nov 4, 2009 16:51:09 GMT -5
Samantha’s Bird-Watching Outfit
Samantha discovers that Piney Point isn’t the only place to enjoy nature. Help her explore her backyard in Mount Bedford in her mauve coat and matching hat. Her binoculars really magnify, so sling them over her shoulder in case she spots a yellow-bellied sapsucker or another one of the birds shown in her set of identification cards.
$28 SASO (added in 2006)
What I got inexchangee for that "I Like Your Style" outfit and book in 2006. The coat is a very nice fall/spring coat. It is made of a textured denin fabric. It does not feel like a par of jeans, but a flannel feel. The fabric has body, but it is not very thick and will not keep the doll warm on a very cold day. The color is a shade of purple called mauve, which is kind of like a pinkish shade of lavender. History nerds know that mauve was a very hip color in the early 1900s, and Empress Alexander of Russia's favorite color. It is a very nice color that American Girl needs to use more of. The lace has a pretty flower pattern. The hat is a shade of buttercup yellow. The hat is made out of classic American Girl polyester-type fabric. Not Victorian. Anyway, the hat is very pretty deck out in the same lace and ribbon as with the coat. The hat has an off fit. It seems like it is too big for Samantha but it is tight fit on her head. The goodies add to the outfit. The binoculars are basically the same that Kit has in her Hobo kit, except Samantha's are painted black with a gold trim. Samantha had hold her binoculars in an akward poise that only an American Girl can do. The cards are a Victorian-based illustrations with basic details about the bird. The cards are printed on card stock. A doll can hold the cards, but it would be nice if she had a pocket in her coat while she goes bird watching. Hey, to be honest, I'm glad that I finally have an outfit that goes for a pretty penny on Ebay. Out of the three outside outfits produced in 2006 this is the best in terms of quality and looks. The jacket looks nice with several of Samantha's outfits (my personal favorite is the Talent Show dress) and looks nice outside and in no matter the weather. AEdited to fix some of the funky misspellings.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jul 22, 2009 22:30:36 GMT -5
Photographer Outfit for Dolls + Book Item# G0002 When it’s time to get creative, she can dress her doll in this outfit:
A corduroy jacket with a button front and ruffled cuffs Wide-leg pants with embroidered details A wool beret with an embroidered flower in front Clog-style shoes to match The Petty Cash book, filled with tips for making and selling crafts $30 I think one of the sings that you are too much into dolls is when you see a new outfit and say, "Hey, that outfit would be perfect for _____!" The pants are made of thick, smooth light jean-type fabric. Speaking of jean-type, they are almost the exactly same cut of the Sparky Tunic and Jeans pants. The flower detail is really embroidered. It is cute but a little too matchy with the shoes for my taste. The pants are little too tight on my skinny 2005 JLY #23 and the fly is slightly too tight for her. I did not take a picture because I'm not that wierd...yet. The jacket is made out of corduroy, a nice, not to thick version. For those who have ever made anything out of corduroy will be please to know that it is cut in the same direction, giving it the desired smooth surface. An added bonus. it buttons with a real button. The upturn collar annoys me mostly because upturn collars generally bother me. I like the detailed cut, but it is a little too fitted for an tween in my opinion. I like the bottom ruffle for added elegance. Dear American Girl: Stop putting your name on everything darn thing! As most will point out. This outfit does not come with a shirt. A bummer for $30. You can really notice the lack of shirt in the jacket because of the gap under the button. Luckily for my doll, she has a white undershirt. I like the shoes! They are made out of something of rubber and some kind of stiff fabric. And yes, they are the same as the clogs in the Sparkly Tunic and Jeans outfit. Can we see a pattern? The heal has a elastic brown satinish strap to keep the doll's foot in the shoe. It does it job well. The hat is made out of thick felt. It is pretty big for a hat and not only it fit over the doll's head well but stays one pretty good. Like the pants and clogs, it has a flower detail. All three are a little too matchy but are a nice thought. I took this outfit to an American Girl camp and the girls(7-12) really dug the outfit. They liked the color theme, the shoes and even the hat. They even liked Maggie's glasses but that comes with my Maggie, not the outfit. However, even they were quick to point out the lack of a shirt, which shows that although American Girl does know their audience , they lack the insight to throw in even a plain shirt. The price is a little steep, but it does come with a jacket, hat, shoes and pants, although the jacket and pants could use slightly more fabric. I do think that if you are considering the outfit you should know what you are getting yourself into. However, once you do buy the outfit you will like it. B-Forgot the add the book. The book my least favorite of all the clothing books. It tells girls how to sell overpriced, cheep-looking pet stuff to people who like overpriced, cheep-looking pet stuff. The economist in me is curious on how the book factors profit with just cost of materials. I was not the greatest in economy but I know enough to give this book a D. *Mod edit to remove dead image links
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jul 12, 2009 23:07:50 GMT -5
Black riding boots are the surplus cousin of the boots from any of the many ridding outfits that American Girl has made in the last decade. You can pick a pair up at any Place or B&B for $14. Hey, they come with a shoebox because we all know that everything else American Girl makes does not come in boxes too! Yes, $14 is HALF the cost of the average American Girl outfit and the boots are really nothing too exiciting (it is no Heelys). The boots are made of pleather, or however one spells fake stiff leather. The sole is very strudy and thick and as an added bonus, instead of Velcro the boots close with a oversized zipper. The inside of the boot is white to avoid the risk of stainage. I have to admit I brought for a silly reason. I wanted Felicity to have something to wear with her ridding outfit since I'm 90% sure that she would not had worn her everyday black shoes with such a fancy outfit. However, I'm sure her boots would not had been out of fake leather with a plasitc zipper but it was close enough. Perhaps the most annoying thing about these boots is that it is hard to get them off. The zipper refused to go past the doll's heel, making getting her foot out of the boot a long and possible limb displacement threat processes. Since the pleather won't bend, it left little markes all over the brand new boot. If these are for a child, forgive her if you see her yanking a leg out of a boot. : For $14, a boot should fit the doll's feet. C*Mod edit to remove dead image links
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jul 9, 2009 22:34:01 GMT -5
American Girl.com: Kit’s Birthday Outfit Item# D7251 Aunt Millie made Kit’s green calico wrap dress from a chicken-feed sack. And the dark green piping on the dress matches Kit’s tie-back headband. $24 From B&B Dallas: Kit's dress is simple, summery and cute. It is made out of thin printed green cotton, white cotton and green piping. The headband is made out of the same fabric as the pipping. The dress fits my first edition, semi-cubby, green skin Kit very well. The dress is wrap-style. I was surprised how much fabric American Girl allocated for the overlap. There is no risk of the dress opening at Kit's party. Detail of the pipping. The collar's pattern goes all around the back. The snaps. You need a good nail to slip under the snap to open. As of right now the snaps seem pretty study will and not easily open or fall off. The buttons are very tiny so it is a good thing that it is snaps. I'm pretty sure that neither buttons or snaps will hold up to tough play. The belt took me a minute to figure out, and so far I've forgotten about it while taking off the dress The headband is not really a headband, it is a strip of green fabric tied under the doll's head. It was fairly easily to figure out, and looks better than Ruthie's hair ribbon. The main problem is that the knot easily shows under the Kits with shorter hair. I really like this dress. It is perfect for the hot summer and fits the non-fussy Kit's personality a lot. The snaps and belt are enough to frustrate a younger kid but older children should appreciate the dresses appearance in the books. This dress is a lovely birthday present for girl and doll. AEdited because one should not do reviews half asleep.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jun 14, 2009 22:02:00 GMT -5
From American Girl.com. Sleepover Food & Fun Item# F6729 Get the set that’s guaranteed to make any American Girl sleepover a success. These make-believe eats and special treats are a great start to a night of doll fun:
Pretend pizza and two pink lemonades A doll-sized version of the 300 Wishes game 20 playing cards with 4 cases A mini version of the Snooze-a-Palooza! book, filled with step-by-step ideas for planning super sleepovers
$24.
Something that actually accidentally happened to end up in my bag at a store. I thought I was getting an outfit but decided to keep this. The pizza and box is basically like any other dolly food one may find at some random toy aisle. The box is off-white cardboard with a generic pizza printing. The box is hard to keep closed. One cool thing is that there is a circular insert much like real pizza boxes. The pizza: There are six slices of pizza for the party. The pizza is made of a rubbery plastic with molded sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Not very realistic but it does fit in a doll's hand. I was surprised on how detail the 300 Wishes Game is, almost an exact replica of the real thing. Box opens up. Blame the camera. There are four little hard cases with five cards each. Each card tells of a "wish" a young girl may have. Some girl that is for I had little desire to "Live on a horse ranch" or "See Koalas on a trip to Australia." The game has three problems. First, it is very hard to keep all the little pieces together. The box does not hold the cases well, and the cases can not keep the cards. Pieces are going to go missing quickly. Second, I dare anyone to explain this game to me. Yeah for awesome dolly books! This one is a full sized edition of the American classic Snooze-a-Palooza! This is great for doll book selves or beds. The lemonade is exactly what you may find in the sweet treats set. The glass are small but fit in the dolls hands. I know that pink lemonade is a staple in a girls diet but I would had preferred soda cans. For $24, you do get a lot out of you money. The pizza and the lemonade could had been better, but the game and book make up. It fits well into real girls' lives and looks neat for a modern doll's room. The only caution is that one should not buy this set for a girl younger than 8 or one that loses things easily. That is unless you like tiny cards in your vacuum. A
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jan 20, 2009 1:06:18 GMT -5
Emily’s Flutophone Accessories Item# F5800 $20
When Emily’s practice card shows she’s practiced more than anyone in her third-grade class, Miss Campbell picks her to do a solo on her flutophone at the spring concert. Emily gets ready for her spotlight performance with this set: * A pretend Flutophone with a box to carry and store it * An adjustable music stand on which to place her music book
A great $10 well spend.
I mean, I know that Emily is from 1944 and all, but who does not remember playing the recorder in elementary school!
The center piece is the flutophone and a cool detail, you can keep it in it's box.
The flutophone is made of light plastic. The mouth piece and keys have real holes but don't try to blow into it because the horn has no hole. Was the idea to make it play fell though? The flutophone is very detail. There is a thumb rest and the doll's finger fits over the holes. It is colored ivory with green details.
The box is a 1940's reproduction. In the "huh?" detail, why is flutophone red and the real one green? The box is very detailed, from the $1.00 price to the patent number. Since it is made of cardboard, it damages easily and the flap is a little hard to open and close.
A hair band allows the doll to hold her flutophone.
The music book is another 1940's reproduction. It is made out of light paper and is rather flimsy. The instructions are all there for one to learn to play a flutophone. An interesting note is that the last song in the book is called "The Official Flutophone March."
A minor complaint, it is hard to keep the book open on the stand.
Now for the stand. My family had a metal stand like this. The real thing is an unstable structure of light metal that can easily be taken up or taken down. Like the real thing this stand is made out of real metal. It has weight and is detailed, from the little (unusable) adjuster to the (unusable) little Nobs. The main problem is that unlike the real thing, the sucker will not fold up, which makes a small storage problem. The redeeming factor in this problem is that the base can easily separate from the stand.
When I first opened the set, I was disappointed that it seemed like the stand was not adjustable. I was very happy to find out that I was wrong and the stand does adjust to match the doll's height.
The doll with everything. Even though the $10 sale and free shipping is what got me to buy this set I think it was well worth the original $20 price and perhaps even Ebay mark up of around $10-15 depending how much you want it. I enjoy all the details, from the faithful reproductions of the box and book to the metal stand. The only bummer is that it would nice for the practice card that gets Emily in trouble. Another good point is that this set fits into periods from 1943 (when the flutophone) to modern girls learning to play the recorder. For a well thought out construction to the various periods of use it deserves an A.
*mod edit to remove dead image links*
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jan 14, 2009 0:26:21 GMT -5
During the final months of the Samantha era I bought a second set for one of my new dolls. I noticed that there are significant differences in the last two years. The 2008 version is the one with the darker pencil box, the 2006 version has the lighter box. The 2008 book holder is made out of darker red leather with shinier brass buckles. The leather is also sturdier and holds it's shape better than the 2006 model. The little wood is lighter and seems more study. Regardless, it is harder keeping the supplies in the strap. You really can't tell, but the 2008 books are lighter than 2006 (ie colors are slightly more defined). The main difference is that the trusted Pleasant Company logo has been removed. The main difference is the pencil box. 2006 box is made out of thin, cheep stained wood. It lid is so think it feels like it was made to be broken. The lid also easily slides open and close and stores the pencils and pen well. 2008 is made out of thin plastic (I think). The box is lighter and of course darker. The lid is more tightly on the box and the pencils and pen are a tight fit. The changes do not warrant crying Mattel fowl and as well, I'm glad I got a second set instead of tracking down an Ebay price.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jan 6, 2009 2:03:55 GMT -5
Mattel version
American Girl.com Felicity’s Cardinal Cloak Item# D4451 Felicity puts on this cheerful, cardinal cloak to brighten even the gloomiest day. The cloak ties with a red satin ribbon to keep out the chilly winter winds. $24
This cloak is probably the most used outfit in any of the American Girl book. Felicity wears it to the ball, church, lessons, Elizabeth's house, Father's store even to Mr. Nye's house over her nightgown. I hope that Mother keeps it nice and clean and mended too, knowing this girl.
As you may be able to see, this cloak is two pieces of felt and a length of ribbon. I was pleasantly surprised that the felt is as thick as it was, I expecting the type of felt you get at the craft store for 15 cents a square. At least Felicity has a some chance to be warm. The felt feels like wool and is not bulky or hard to keep on Felicity.
Felicity wearing the cloak with her ball gown. It can cover her front well. Or... Brushed aside for when Felicity needs her arms or the weather is not that cold. You can see that the hood is big enough to handle a mob cap. As you can tell, it can go well on most of Felicity's clothes. It also goes well with her lesson outfit.
The profile, which completely covers Felicity's face. In one of her books, Felicity covers her face in her hood in the worst of Williamsburg weather. Now the doll can act out that cold weather protection! Even though the hood is big, it is not a pain to keep down.
As you may remember in the movie, Felicity's cloak is gathered like this. In the huh department, um, why is there a small hole?
Now for some issues. I could not get a detailed picture, but the felt is already fraying a little and my cloak is less than a couple of weeks old. I think all cloaks are like this. The cloak is not lined. It would be nice and pretty for some thin red silk. It would be nice if the cloak was at least a couple of inches longer. Since Felicity no longer has her patterns, her skirts will get wet and cold without any protection.
My biggest complaint is that I honesty think this cloak should be only be about $18. $24 is the cost of a dress, not two pieces of felt and ribbon. Sure it is one of the most used of all the outerwear, but it is also the simplest made and the fraying suggest not the best materials used. If you are a sewer you can easily make a copy cat for less than $20. If you want to risk it, perhaps you will get a better deal on a special. The price alone makes it a B.
I just like this picture of pensive Felicity. A year later, two outdoor pictures of Felicity in her cloak. This one shows just how short the cloak is on Felicity. The cloak is very resistant to a light sprinkling of snow. The outfit would probably survive light outdoor play.
*mod edit to remove dead image links throughout review*
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Dec 25, 2008 21:22:32 GMT -5
Hey, it's NEW
New! Hanukkah Gift Set Item# F8736 American Girls can celebrate Hanukkah with this special set: Six shiny coins, called gelt A dreidel—a toy that Jewish girls have loved for centuries A velour bag to store the dreidel and coins A menorah with nine pretend candles A pretty gift box that holds a doll-sized bracelet $20
Not to be confused with this: Hanukkah Gifts Mark the eight days of Hanukkah with the menorah and pretend candles. Give your American Girl a silver Star-of-David necklace and four golden coins called gelt. Spin the dreidel—a toy that Jewish girls have loved for centuries. $14 GCAH
In sweet life:
The menorah is made of heavy metal. It looks like the basic classic menorah. This is my first menorah but I'm assuming that it does not have a high tarnish rate. The candles are made of flexible plastic and can come out of the menorah, which is a tight fit. If this is for a kid I would recommended gluing the candles in the menorah because once they are out I'm assuming that they will be lost. They kind of look more like birthday candles than religious candles to me.
In scale with a doll. She can't hold it but it looks nice next to her. I'm not positive it is correct scale for "real life."
The "improvement" to this set is the girlify (yeah, made up a word!) the accessories and add a box and bag. The velour bag is big enough to store the plastic gelt and the dreidel. Plus it gathers up closed and looks pretty for the doll to hold. But, why does American Girl have to label everything? To add in the storage possibles, the bag fits into the box! The gelt are right size and made of light plastic one side shows the Star of David and the other is menorah. It is light and makes a great dreidel game.
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of cheep wood. I guess the powers to be decreed that girls needed a light blue dreidel. The best part is that the doll can hold her dreidel!
The box is made of thick cardboard with heavy paper covering. But it is too little for a cool present and too big for this girls present-
WHY American Girl WHY replace the classic, wonderful Star of David necklace for this? But hey it has beads so that makes it better.
The bracelet fits well and it is pretty and girly. It also seems to stay on the doll well, which is good because my new dolls is keeping this thing on. The picture is bad, I know.
To be frank, I probably would not had put this in my B&B bag unless I read this on AG's website: Please Note: This item is only available online and in American Girl retail stores while supplies last I've been "almost" buying this set for about four years now. I figured that it was now or maybe never.
Compared to the original set, I kind of wish that they kept the original set. American Girl did seem like they tired to top the last one for the everything is relatively well made. I would had preferred a necklace to a bracelet. I would not recommended this to a small kid. To many things to be lost and the bracelet would not be made for small hands. I do love how well the set can be store and it looks pretty on display every winter. B
*Mod edit to remove dead image links
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Nov 19, 2008 14:31:56 GMT -5
From Playthings.com
School Supplies Hit the books! Your American Girl is ready to study with a math book and a binder filled with three folders and a sheet of stickers. Then it’s time her lunch. Her thermos has an attached Spock and holds three plastic jars of pretend food—spaghetti, a salad, and a cookie. $20 GSAT discontinued 2004
A very random purchase from Ebay during the summer of 2006.
For some reason, American Girl decreed that you get the school supplies in one purchase and the backpack (with computer!) in another purchase. That I never understood but the good news is that the binder matches the berry backpck from 2006-2008. The bad news is that it does not fit into the backpack.
The binder comes with three folders and a sheet of stickers. The binder kind of reminds me of the kind I had in elementary/middle school. It is thick cardboard covered with a light felt-like material that attracts lint like crazy. The binder is a deep rose-colored pink with a find purple flower in the bottom corner and a light blue strap with Velcro that keep the binder closed. The clips snap open and close and it is real metal. Mine is six years old and second hand and it still closes well.
The folders blue, grayish brownish and deep rose. They are like any other folders you get a Wal Mart for 15 cents. Each have two folders that really hold a couple of sheets of papers.
The stickers are genetic "Great Idea!" "Thank You!" "Friends Forever!" stuff you find in grade school. It is meant to decorate the binder and folders but apparently neither owner of this set saw the need to decorate with "Call Me!" and "Way to Go!".
The math textbook is awesome. It is just like the math books that you get around third grade. It reminds me of a time when I needed math was to figure out if 27 was < or > than 200 and not paying bills. This book is a a real textbook that one can find in public schools all over the country.
Makes me want to do some math homework now!
For some reason, the doll who had this before my Saffy ate the lunch and lost the spork. It is supposed to be pasta, a salad and a cookie. Makes me wonder if my mother was just phoning in with my string cheese and Ding Dong. Even though the lack of lunch has taught me to read Ebay descriptions carefully Saffy just uses the thermos for you know, water. Thermos is light plastic with a flower sticker on top. The food containers are a flimsily plastic and have no lids on them. The thermos holds the containers fairly well so the doll will not lose her lunch all over the sidewalk on the way to school. But I'm curious, why not just get a lunch box?
As individuals the binder with folders and stickers (!) get a B, the book a A+ and the thermos a C. All together there is something missing. All the school supplies are missing something, but this one is lacking even a backpack. It would be nice for maybe some paper or a report card or maybe another text book. For the lack of fulfillment this is a worthy of a B- on the progress report.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on May 2, 2008 22:24:34 GMT -5
Oh, oh methinks this set is retired, better get myself over to Playthings.
Backpack Set for Dolls The perfect pack for American Girls on the go! Nylon backpack has zippered pouches to store everything from her Math Smarts book to her planner. Includes a cell phone with a clock that works, plus a pretend apple. $26 GSBP
Hark! Glorious day! All right, that is out of my system so I'll continue.
First, the backpack, very realistic, I think I had one like it for a few years in high school. It is large, roomy and made with canvas-like material. The backpack has a main compartment, two medium-sized pockets, a dinky little pocket, two mesh side spaces and a cell phone case. I could fit my Saffy's laptop, her schoolbooks, a couple of American Girl books and a few odds and ends in this thing. However, there is one complaint. The two front pockets do not hold as much as the real thing. Saffy keeps her lunch money, glasses and a stray pencil in there but nothing else. What use is a pocket with no room?
I received my own cell phone around the time I bought this set in 2006 (yes, I am that uncool). They look identical, right? No! I will frankly never understand American Girl's obsession with putting clocks in things and putting their name on everything. I really wish they would had not wasted that time and tried to make this cell phone more realistic. You really can not look at the clock, it is too hard to keep the cell phone open.
The apple is a nod to all of us who had mothers who insisted that we keep extra food in case we either got stranded on an island or the bus was late. It is the basic American Girl apple, tiny, semi-realistic and rubbery. It looks nice and fits well with the mess pocket.
BOOKS! Excuse me while I happy dance. There could be a multitude of things wrong with this set and the books would make me happy. So your doll does well in school she has an American Girl issued planer and Math Smarts book. I've always applauded American Girl's refusal to bow down to the Barbie "math is hard" mentality and I love the fact the doll has a little math helper guide. Like all American Girl books, you can read them. I did read them on a long car ride and both seem to be abridged well. It would had been nice however if American Girl would had added a text book or maybe a History Mystery paperback instead of wasting time on the cell phone.
Saffy read for school, or to look for her shoes. What ever comes first. My "funny" comments aside this is a great school set. Aside from the cell phone great attention for realism was taken and your doll will be ready for school. I can see great play value for girls playing school and great display for the collector. I just wish and American Girl in the fall adds a new school set equal to this one. Hopefully they keep the math is good mentality. Final grade A.
*mod edit to remove dead image links
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Apr 25, 2008 23:17:05 GMT -5
Oh yee a little Playthings:
Floral Bedding Set Your doll will dream of daisies in this pretty flower-scattered bedspread. The set includes two ribbon-trimmed sheets and pillowcases, plus a pink flower-shaped accent pillow. $22 GTAF discontinued 2004
Oh yee my Ebay splurges:
As you may have noticed, my floral bedding set is lacking the flower-shaped pillow. I bought mine with a played with yellow tumble bed and somewhere along the line the pillow wondered off. I'm sure it is nice but I have accepted my fate and moved on.
The bedspread is blue with white daisies and green pipping trimming on one side pink, white, green and blue stripes. The bedspread feels like it is made of polyester and has a stiff feeling to it. Even though it matches the bed fine it is nothing special. First of all, it does not cover much of the bed. It is short so that the tumble can be pulled out but I would rather have a spread that covers the sides of the bed. Second, if you are sucker for details this bedspread messes with your mind. It is not quilted, so it is not a quit. However, it is not thick enough for a comforter. Then, what is it?
To show the bedspread with another bed. I still don't like it and as soon as I get around to it I'm making my own bed cover.
For lack of a better term the sheets rock. This set comes with two sheets, obviously one for the tumble and one for real bed. They are made of soft lien and they are twice the size of the current white sheets. Each sheet is hemmed liked a real thing and has three ribbon trimmings. In between two blue ribbons there is a green color. Unlike the sheet available today, this completely covers the doll with room to spare. With quality like this the historical are probably wondering why they have been denied sheets for twenty years.
The pillow case matches the sheets more than the bedspread. Unlike the current bed set, the dolls sleeping on the tumble bed have a pillow for the main bed and the tumble. It pillow comes with the bed and the case comes with the floral bedding set. The case fits the pillow well and comes easily on and off.
One more picture of everything on the bed.
Okay, so I was not impressed with the bedspread and as well, I don't understand how a bed can cost $60-70 and not come with bedclothes. However,the sheets and pillowcase helps forgive that mistake. All dolls need sheets and pillowcases and if you don't share American Girl's love of tumble beds than this set can be used for two doll beds. If you don't mind slightly stiff bedspreads this one is not so bad, just have a quilt nearby to actually keep the doll warm. A fine quality set and a good deal if you find it with the yellow tumble bed. B
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Apr 18, 2008 23:30:32 GMT -5
I wanted to post some pictures of the desk as it could work "in use." American Girl catalog has a couple of nice pictures of the typewriter and school supplies with the desk but this will have to do.
I wanted to desk to represent a bookish girl who happens to wear perfectly white dresses.
First of all, as no one at American Girl ever employed the concept of scale? The poor girl towers over her little desk. One could argue that Kit received a child-sized desk back when she was seven or eight yet that does not explain this.
What is the point with cubbies if they don't hold anything? Real roll top desk can hold papers, books and supplies in their cubbies, not a few bits and pieces. The redeeming quality is the drawers. The top drawer holds the pencil box from Samantha's school supplies and Kit's pencil case.
Regardless of the lack of cubbie space the desk top does hold a fair amount of books, a typewriter and a few other things. The top holds the girl's lamp, camera, paper case and inkwell in case Felicity needs to sign something.
My doll's desk holds supplies that come from Kit's Hobo, school, camera, typewriter and nighttime accessories, Samantha's school supplies and a few odds and ends that I thought looked cute.
When I bought this desk, I was expected to be disappointed in the scale. However, I was pleasantly surprised on how much stuff the desk could hold. It could be better but its qualities outweighing the scale issue. I think it passed as the childhood desk of a budding writer and therefore it deserves another A.
*Mod edit to remove dead image links throughout review.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Mar 21, 2008 16:00:51 GMT -5
I'm wondering if the head can be used on a real Barbie body. -Omar The head is fused to the plastic base so unless you have a miniature guillotine laying around I don't think so. I wanted to add one more thing about the hair. With play (in my case a cat) the hair gets very messy. Plus, when one brushes it the curls get straightened out. Regardless, I still love Head.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Mar 21, 2008 13:40:38 GMT -5
Laptop & Bag Lindsey doesn’t go anywhere without her laptop. Best of all, it keeps you both connected! Store 50 names and phone numbers, view the date and time, and use the calculator while you’re out and about. Two pretend mini disks slide into the side of the laptop. Lindsey can carry her laptop along with her notebook and pencil in her messenger-style computer bag.
$32 GSAC2 discontinued 2003
Wow, only $32? That sound you hear is several Lindsey collectors baning their heads against the wall.
It is a shame that Lindsey had to be such a guinea pig, unlike some LEs American Girl really tried to make her stuff modern and realistic. However, how many kids in 2001 had a laptop? Not I and I'm seven years older than Lindsey. Had to graduate high school for that treat. But now it is 2008 and how many kids don't have a laptop? Lindsey was ahead of her time.
The laptop is made of hard plastic, kind of like my laptop. The colors are medium blue, light blue and a clear plastic on the bottom. I kind of remember color computers being hip in the early 2000s. I also remember seeing laptops being as thick and bulky as Lindsey's computer. The standard AGOT Star with the girl is seen on the lid. Way less abusive than the current American Girl logo seen today.
When open the keys are made of rubber and can be typed individually. The two disks are for "math" and "history." They don't do anything but can go into the computer though the disk drive. There is even a little mouse pad and space bar. I'm going to say that the laptop is a little more realistic than this.
The selling point for the laptop was that it could hold names, numbers and tell the date.
I bought mine NIB, so my computer has a clean slate. I'm guessing that you can still use the feature, but I haven't tried too hard to figure it out. But hey look it is March 2001!
I love little notebooks. This one is made heavy laminated cardboard with a piece of elastic to keep it closed. There is a little slot for the pencil. The pencil is a wooden with a heavy silver coat and like most American Girl pencils it writes.
The bag is made of thin, light canvas. The shoulder strap as Velcro so that Lindsey can carry it across her chest. There are two pockets that close with zippers. The back one is for the laptop and the front is for the notebook and disks. There is another AGOT star and girl in case you forgot who made this product.
I like most today accessories from 2000-2004. I think they are most realistic and not too obsessed with pastels than the currant items. It is something that collectors can love and kids can enjoy. It is a toy and a set piece.
Now here is the big question, is this worth Ebay prices? I was lucky with my NIB set with a BIN at about $15 dollars more than original retail price. I think it is worth spending the extra $15-20 for it because of the realistic scale-appropriate details (I don't care if the current computer has sound). There are plenty of NIB sets on Ebay so I don't think you have to buy an overpriced "play with" condition unless it is for a child. Just wait and the correct price will come along. A
Mod edit to remove broken image link
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Mar 19, 2008 17:37:16 GMT -5
Summertime Toys Send your American Girl out to play with her favorite summer toys. Help her toss the sky simmer that really flies, or blow real bubbles from the bottle of Tiny Bubbles. Watch her wave the colorful ribbon baton and skip jump rope. Finish the day with a game of Boing-O Ball.[/i]$12 GAAG discontinued 2001
I bought this set during one of my occasional Ebay streaks. As I recall I was the single bidder for the auction. My high bid was $20, I won the set NIB for around $10. This is one of the items that if you wait long enough, you will get a good deal.
The jump rope is why I wanted to set. It looks like the kind one buys at Toys R Us for about $7. The rope is well... rope and the handles are plastic, like the real thing. As one can tell a doll can hold her jump rope.
I had a ribbon baton what you do is run fast and the ribbon flies behind you. It is fun for the first ten minutes. A possible display with the doll on rollerskating or a bike. Or a cat toy.
The Boing-O Ball is a great example on how American Girl renames perfectly good things. Couldn't the company paid for the trademark? It is made with semi-hard plastic with a starchy elastic and a bouncy ball. I'm kind of worried about the elastic breaking but so far it hasn't. I love that they made it too look like the real ones. A doll can hold it but like me she's never figured out how to play with it.
The sky skimmer, or what most call Frisbee, is made of bendy plastic three colors painted on. The Frisbee really flies and the colors come together in a flowing circle. Dolls can't hold it in their hands though.
The bubbles are real and you can refill them with soppy water. It is neat that the lid has a little blowthiny like the real thing. It is cute but kind of useless.
In all, I am pleased that I bought this set, I am also glad that I did not pay more than original retail. The toys follow my cetera for American Girl, correct scale and the doll ability to hold their things. However, something is missing from the set, and leave me wanting something. Call me fickle but I'm giving the set a B.
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maggiedoll
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Post by maggiedoll on Mar 19, 2008 11:33:25 GMT -5
From 1995-2007, American Girl had a light skinned girl with dark brown hair and light blue eyes. She was so named #14. In the fall of 2007, the powers to be decreed that #14 or sell better with a lighter wig, "wispy" bangs and long and confusing name.
The new and improved flavor JLY # F7031
Even though Saffron Lucy Stone Harrison was more of an impulse than my other dolls I’m glad that I bought her. The doll’s expression had a lot of personality and she can play a sweet girly girl or a mischievous little imp. The best part about the doll is her hair. Her hair is much more lighter than old-school wigs. I don't agree that it is thiner nor to I think that it is layered.
She has a part that appears natural. Her bangs are lighter and and be bushed aside with aid of bobby pins. Her hair can be separated so when her hair is braid or put in pigtails there is no bald patches.
Of all my dolls, I like #14's hair the best. Unlike #16, #14's bangs are not uneven, they are also lighter, easier to work with and to me more natural. #14's part looks like a part. Unlike #23, #14's is not as thin. As well, her hair seems better wigged. For example, if not brushed right #23's hair can show bold spots. #23's part also has an odd bump to them. I never worry about #14's hair. #14's hair is a dark shade of brown, very nearly black depending on the light.
This is my personal opinion but I am in love with #14's face. To me she looks so innocent compared to other dolls. Her face naturally looks down with a little "who me?" look. She is my most photogenic dolls and appears in my reviews. My only compliant is that her bangs are not as "wispy" as American Girl brags. It would be nice if they could be easier brushed aside but that is probably just being a doll wig. She can pass for a little girl as well as a nine-twelve year old. For her easily hair and sweet little face I give her an A.
*Mod edit to remove member's broken image links.*
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Feb 17, 2008 23:30:24 GMT -5
What we need is pictures. American Girl, you go first. *mod edit to remove dead image links throughout the post.
Now mine.
I've always wanted a working recored player for my 1960s doll, Maggie, so I pre-ordered this set and happy danced my inner child out when I finally received it. That made my disappointment greater when I had to return it not once, but twice because no one in my family could open the battery compartment. American Girl wanted to send me a third one but I decided to wait till Christmas to try again. This one works perfect and Maggie's happy.
I took a picture of the recored player working. There is a background sound that is typical of working children's toy, not of a real record player. The record is made of heavy plastic and feels more like an old time Mattel toy than a miniature record player.
The record player has three records that are very early 1970s. Each recored plays about thirty seconds (basically the introduction and the first chorus) of Saturday in the Park (Chicago), Shining Star (Earth Wind and Fire), and Love Theme (?). I've played the record music the same time as the "real" song and it sounds basically the same. The records are just as detailed as the original singles and are correct scale for a doll. Julie would had bought her 45s in these paper sleeves. For the $28 used to buy this record player Julie would had created a nice record collection. As for this one, the three little records are stored in carrying case. The case is made of either heavy cardboard with a plastic lock and handle or all plastic. My only request is that American Girl makes more records. Freebird!
I'm indifferent to the tape player. Not even my camera liked it. It is not the correct scale and well, who could talking in the tiny microphone with the short wire? It does record about 30 seconds and my doll has some bootleg recordings.
The sound accessories in relation to Maggie, her bed and stuff. In my humble opinion, this is the quality that American Girl should aspire to. Everything except the recorder is to correct scale and there is so many details and play value to collect and enjoy. This deserves the highest level of A from me and Maggie.
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maggiedoll
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Post by maggiedoll on Dec 19, 2007 0:19:03 GMT -5
This item was released in 2007 and sold out in 2009.For Christmas, Julie gets one of the most popular gifts for girls in her day: a Barbie® hair styling head! Set includes six two-piece curlers to create waves, and a plastic brush to create any hairdo.This item was discontinued in 2009. According to American Girl this is by no means a creepy doll head! Julie's Christmas Gift Item# F6324 For Christmas, Julie gets one of the most popular gifts for girls in her day: a Barbie® hair styling head! Set includes six two-piece curlers to create waves, and a plastic brush to create any hairdo. $18 All right, first, this is not the doll from the Christmas book. A AGPC PS told me that the development department had the Barbie head all planed out almost as soon as Julie was green lighted. Guess no one ever told the writer. What you get. The box is by far the best part of the set. Now a doll can get excited when she sees her present. I'm no Barbie expert but I assume it is a fairly accurate reproduction of the original box. It is made of cardboard and has late 1960's early 1970's graphics on all sides. The doll is about four inches high. She is made of cheep, light plastic, basically what a real Barbie is made out of. The perfect bob becomes messy after about five minutes out of the box. Her face matches Barbies from the 1960's in my opinion, which is why I wanted her. The above picture shows her compared to two other dolls. The curlers are kind of a waste of plastic. I reckon that a girl will quickly lose a curler and not even miss it. They seem useless to me, of course I've never learned how to use curlers on dolls. The brush is better. It can brush Barbie's head and the mini dolls. Even better, it can fit into a doll's hand (see below). It would had been nice is some of the accessories pictured on the box would had come with the doll. I truly believe that American Girl could had done better with Julie's doll. There was so many great toys and they pick a doll's head? On the other hand, it is an interesting piece. If you have a doll with a sense of humor, it is good (my doll named her Head). It has great potential for photos and playroom settings. The best thing about the set is that, unlike so many American Girl things, it seems to scale with the doll. Since I do not mock an accessory has many pieces, has detail and is to scale Barbie Head gets a B. (mod title edit)(mod edit to remove broken image links)
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maggiedoll
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Post by maggiedoll on Dec 31, 2007 19:00:16 GMT -5
"Breezy Day Outfit
If it’s cool by the pool, your American Girl will be glad to have a comfy cardigan to wear over her sleeveless knit shell. Help her kick off her sandals and roll up her drawstring pants so she can dip her feet in the water! A pearly barrette keeps her hair tidy.
$22 GBOG discontinued 2003"
Mine: *Note: I bought mine second hand on Ebay that did not came with the barrette. I'm sure it is a nice barrette but I did not think it was worth paying the extra money to find one.
It is a nice outfit perfect for slightly cool nights. The shell and cardigan are made of not-to-thin/ not-to-thick cotton. The shell is sleeveless but covers the shoulder and goes to the doll's neck. If is slightly too big and makes the cardigan slightly too bulky when closed with the pearl button. This would be brilliant if the cardigan was long sleeved. The best part of the part of the cardigan is the embroidery and pearl details. Each side has a fish, shell, sea star and seaweed. The embroidery is vivid in color, shape and detail. Tiny pearls make seven bubbles. I do not think that this makes the outfit fragile because this outfit was played with and there are no sings of wear.
The pants are kind of a disappointment. I was hoping for thick, corduroy type fabric. Instead it is a cheap, thin crinkle type fabric. The drawstring is kind of useless for the waistband is elastic. I could forgive all these fault if the pants were not see though. One could easily see the girl's underwear (if you look you can see my doll's undies and undershirt) and call me prude, but I don't want to see a doll's underthings under her clothing.
The sandals are...sandals, nothing noteworthy. They are t-shaped, with elastic around the ankle. The pink stars are cute but flowers for a sea-themed outfit? As you can tell I prefer the retired white tennis shoes with the outfit but these sandles are nice for a not-too-fancy spring/summer outfit.
All together, I would give the Breezy Day outfit a B. The faults including lacking in quality and basic nitpickings drags the grade down. On the other hand, the outfit is so cute, and compared to recent American Girl outfits it is not overly girly, pink or fancy. It is perfect for casual days or vacations as well as mix and match potential.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Jan 27, 2008 23:29:20 GMT -5
If your doll needs wheels, than go to American Girl.com!
Wheelchair Item# GWC2 For the American Girl doll who needs her own wheels, this wheelchair is just right. It includes adjustable footrests and a side pocket to hold whatever she wants to carry along. $30
*Note, this is the second (or maybe third version) of the wheelchair. I couldn't determine when it came out but I took a guess based on when American Girl became a little too obsessed with pastels.*
On with the review.\
This is one of the best doll-sized reproductions on the market, trust me, I've looked. The frame is plastic, seat canvas and wheels made of rubber with a metal frame. The wheelchair is somewhat heavy and unlike most wheelchairs it does not fold up. This is type of wheelchair that you would see in a hospital, and works great with the feel better kit. However, it is technically not correct for a doll with a long term disability. If a girl did need a wheelchair on a long term basis it would be possible for her get a chair with a colored seat.
The pocket that can hold "whatever she wants to carry along" holds nothing. No books, magazines or even reading glasses. The best thing that I can fit is either the dog log or puppy treats for Sprocket's set. Useful if your doll has a dog like Sprocket. *Note, the picture is terrible but the best I can do.*
A doll in the wheelchair. The seat matches the girl's outfit! Hospital and long term wheelchairs can be scaled to fit a nine-year-old, so for once the scale is correct. The foot pedals move 180 degrees to make it easy for the doll to get in an out of her chair. The big wheels fit into the curve in the doll's hand so it looks like she can wheel herself. The little wheels several round to help the girl move corners. A pleasant surprise is that the brakes work to keep the chair stabilized. The doll fits comfortably in her chair.
Close up of the wheel to see how it fits into the doll's hand. You can also see the breaks.
If a doll's arms could bend, she could easily push her friend. The handles fit well into the doll's hand but it hard to keep her balanced.
It would be great if this wheelchair folded. It would be better if American Girl produced a wheelchair that was correct for a girl with a long-term disability. Taken into account the wheelchair itself given to its weight and realistic details it deserves an A.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Dec 15, 2007 0:48:05 GMT -5
From the good people at American Girl.com For mouth-watering, make-believe fun, get this set featuring: A root beer float Pink lemonade in a fancy glass A classic banana split A large ice cream sundae Also includes a napkin holder, four napkins, two spoons, and two reversible place mats with a design on one side and a menu on the other, plus an order pad for snack selection $22 From my good collection: Please note (1): Due to a difficult camera, I could only beat one picture out of the photo shoot. Its a big picture but just one. Sorry about the lack of detail. Please note (2): Due to a new puppy, my sundae has a big bite out of it. If your sundae comes looking like mine, I strongly recommend calling CS. As for my review, I bought it on a whim at AGPC when the set was first placed on backorder on the website in late summer. I kind of like have a nice little food set that did not cost almost a $100 and was so fragile. Even though I don't regret the purchase, I think I could had bought something of higher quality. The set comes with a sundae and banana split. The paint is little sloppy (some one really liked the black for "syrup" on my banana split). I assume that the ice cream is soft plastic and the bowl is harder plastic. They are very durable, I'm sure that they can handle a little brother's antics. The spoons are more substantial than the spoon from Felicity's retired tea set, but not has heavy as Kit's dishes. I do think that they are leftovers from Addy's now retired dish set. The pink lemonade and root beer float are my favorite part. There was a great attention to making the drinks realistic, my best example is you can see the "uneven" part of the straw from where the straw leaves the liquid. The lemonade has two tiny little lemons and the float has ice cream and whip cream. The glasses have a slight pattern on them. With a little gentle force a doll can hold her drink. The place mats are some sort of lamented paper they can be bended but it would take some effort. One side is a menu (apparently, everything costs three hearts) and the other side is blue with pink hearts and red flowers. Cute, but not widely impressive. Order pad is the interactive part of the set. The girl can play waitress to her dolls by asking them what they want (she can serve them everything except the chocolate malt). There is about twenty pages to mark up and rip out. The napkin holder is cheep, light plastic in a unattractive shade of dark pink. It is in the shape of a heart that seems to be a theme in the set. The napkins are cheep, tissue paper shade of light green. The napkin is not very impressive, they are folded into neat little triangles that can be unfolded. The unfolded squares are not big enough to fit over a doll's lap. If you are buying this for a little girl, this is a great idea. There are many of great pieces and there is potential for hours of play. For $22 the Sweet Treats set is nice play set and it is a nice display for a few dolls. AFor an adult collector the Sweet Treats set is not a good addition to the collection. Compared to a dish set it is lacking in the quality that collectors know and love. The scale is also terrible. If a doll could talk, she would wonder why you are giving her so small portions. If you are buying it so you can display some dolls having ice cream or drinks it is a nice set, however, if you want something to keep for many years you might want to save the money toward a dish set. C
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Jan 14, 2008 1:55:29 GMT -5
Gardening Outfit Keep your American Girl comfortable while she tends to her flowers in this sleeveless top and cropped lilac pants. A straw hat keeps the sun out of her eyes as she works. Her matching sandals have purple flowers on the straps. $24 GDOG discontinued 2004 I'm not a gardener, but I would assume that one would not wear pretty pastels that do not protect from sun, dirt and cramps. Obviously, a doll would not really be gardening and it is a good picture with her in the yard with her gardening supplies, so I will let that slide. The sleeveless top is off white thin linen. The fabric is so thin one can see the doll's undershirt. However, the embroidery distracts from the see though aspect. It is three flowers with purple (matches the pants) buds, green steams and orange "dirt," simple but pretty. Ruffles line the hem of the shirt, making it go this past the hips. The shirt closes with two little buttons on the shoulders. The buttons are tiny and it is hard to pull the shirt over the doll's bottom. In the "huh?" department is the little peak a boo in the back. I like the crossover design but I don't understand the slight peak at a doll's lower back. Now everyone can see my doll's undershirt. *Note: The pony tail holder comes from the "I Like Your Style" outfit.* The cropped lilac pants is simple and clean. The pants go past the knee to around the doll's mid calf (think slightly higher than a Kirsten's dress hem). The decorative detail is pleat that goes just above the foot. The pants are closed with Velcro and a snap. The straw hat matches the top and sandals but looks odd on the doll's head. It kind of looks like a top hat to me. It is made of a fake-feeling yet smooth faux straw, not as authentic as a Peasant Company hat yet not as stiff and fake as current Mattel. A ruffle design frames the doll's face and I would assume that in real life it would keep sweat from her eyes. On the brim is a purple ribbon wrapped around a straw cord and toped with a flower that matches the sandals. I'm not a big sandal fan, but these are an exception. These look like they would work well outside because they are textured and feel more solid than other sandals. The straps are not elastic but stay on the doll's feet well. The detail is a purple flower that matches the hat and top. I think that this outfit deserves an A. The grade is in the details such as embroidery, ruffles and pleats. Things that one does not expect to matter such as matching the flowers on the sandals with the flower on the hat complements the style of the set. Edited because perfect and protect are two different words.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Nov 13, 2007 22:43:51 GMT -5
This set was released in 1986 and retired in 2008 with Samantha's first archival.
A book strap was the practical "modern" way for girls to carry their books in 1904. Put Samantha's school supplies under the two straps and fasten the buckles tightly. Her wooden pencil box has a sliding top. Inside are two pencils and a nib pen - the kind she dipped into an inkwell. There's also a green felt pen wiper to clean it. You can write on the little pages of her Composition Book. When Samantha taught Nellie to read, she used The Baldwin Primer. You can read this tiny version of the original book, too. It's filled with stories, pictures, and songs. Fill out the Report Book with grades for her subjects and proper deportment!Samantha is sure to get good grades with all of these supplies: A practical book strap with buckles for carrying her books A wooden pencil box with a sliding top; it carries two pencils and a nib pen, the kind Samantha dips into an inkwell, plus a green felt pen wiper to clean it A tiny version of The Baldwin Primer, the book that Samantha uses to teach Nellie to read A composition book and a report book with grades for her subjects and deportment My set was purchased in 2006, with Pleasant Company books and Mattel bookstrap and pencil case. This is what you get: The book strap is made of basic Mattel wood, soft leather and metal buckles. I don't recommended undoing the straps for they get wear easily but you can take the books and pencil case in and out of the bookstrap with out undoing the buckles. Samantha uses a pencil box made of cheap, thin wood that is heavily stained. Inside are two standard issued American Girl school pencils, pen and a felt wipe. The Looking Back section of Samantha Learns a Lesson explains that it was very important for Samantha to keep her pen clean so impress on Samantha to use to tiny felt piece to wipe up dripping ink. Furthermore make sure Samantha understands to keep her pen and pencils in the box since they are tiny and easily lost. The The Baldwin Primer was a standard issue schoolbook for the time and is a fascinating read. Like all other historical books, it is reproduced faithfully. The composition book is a bit of a let down after the Primer and report book because only Samantha's handwriting is on the front of the book. It is possible for you to help Samantha fill her notebook but it is very hard to hold it flat to write. At least you can blame you little doll for the bad handwriting. Along with the Primer the report book is fascinating because if you can receive an insight into Samantha's character. Apparently, Samantha is terrible at sewing, drawing and arithmetic but good at spelling, writing and reading. According to the report books, Samantha need to improve controlling her temper but is great at public speaking. (The pictures are fuzzy due to a camera with dying batteries, but you get the idea) I did not buy this for Samantha, but for a doll that I created, and other than the fact that Samantha's identity is all over the supplies (not American Girl's fault, that's my own issue) it can fit most students from around 1850-1920, with a bit of a stretch and imagination. My major complaint is that like most accessory sets the school supplies seem to be the wrong scale with the dolls. The books could stand to be a little larger, but they are not any different than the other accessories that American Girl/Mattel has made. In all, I think the Book Strap & Supplies deserves an A in historical detail, usefulness and effort. The final picture is to show scale of the bookstrap and supplies in relation to a doll and other school-related pieces. Edited to fix pictures!
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
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Post by maggiedoll on Nov 12, 2007 2:32:27 GMT -5
This set was released in 1988 and retired in 2008 with the first archival of Samantha's collection.
Help Samantha get washed up for bed with a china pitcher and bowl and a ladylike lace-edged towel. After she's all tucked in, read to her from a copy of an original edition of The Wizard of Oz - a story that's still enchanting young girls today!Samantha can get ready for bed with all of these necessities: A ceramic pitcher and bowl, and a lace-edged towel A copy of an original edition of The Wizard of Oz to read before bedtime $19 From my own collection The towel (sorry about lack of photo by the way) is made of linen and timed in linen lace. It is not very thick, and I don't think it would be a very good drying a dolls face. It really has no purpose but to look pretty on the commode rod. The pitcher and bowl are the prettiest part of the set. They are both made of ceramic, but a higher quality that something like Elizabeth's dressing table accessories. They seem very study and they don't seem to break easily. I've noticed in recent catalogs that American Girl makes the pitcher and bowl look very dark, almost gray. However, it is a rich, solid white. As one may see in the pictures, the picture and bowl are painted in the image of delicate flowers. The flowers are painted on, and it does not seem to flake off easy. As well, there is gold trim along the edges of the picture and bowl. Together, it makes a very pretty picture and bowl. For comparison, here is Samantha's pitcher and bowl with Addy's counterparts: Given that Addy's version is larger and studier, it seems that hers is more unitarian. The major problem with Samantha's pitcher and bowl is that given that by 1904 most wealthy homes would had had running water, so I'm not sure how valuable the pitcher and bowl would be to her life. The best part of the set is the book The Wizard of OZ as far as I can tell this is a faithful reprinting of the edition Samantha would had owned, there is even a copyright of 1899. American Girl added this note to the front of the book that confirms that this was what Samantha's copy would had looked like. Like all other miniature books, you can read The Wizard of OZ with your doll. However, unlike most of the miniature books which only has maybe a few pages of every other chapter this book goes straight though chapters 1-3 (about 34 pages). According to the note American Girl gives, this is to encourage girls to race to the library to get the real version to finish the story. Another note, every piece of this set was marked "American Girl" and "Made in China" which gives a good indication that it is going to be here for a while. To end, I would grade Nighttime Necessities a A for quality B for necessity. The pitcher, towel and bowl will look very pretty on Samantha's commode but they don't seem very useful in the historical context of 1904 and I don't think they will see much play value. This final picture shows how the Nighttime Necessities relates to a doll and her bed for reference.
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Nov 15, 2007 23:54:21 GMT -5
American Girl says: Samantha can look at photos of famous places such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty on the four photo cards included with this stereoscope. $12 Actually, Samantha probably had a case to store the stereoscope and the cards (I've seen collections that go to hundreds of views), but unfortunately American Girl did not think that far. Regardless, for $12 it is a high quality item, which is made of some type of metal (with a nice decorative detail), stained wood and soft fabric that would make view comfortable for the doll. Each card has a short summery of what the image shoes, where it is and photo credit. It would be nice if it was a little easier to store but it looks nice on a bed, desk or chair. It is also a lovely little detail to display with a doll. A nice accessory and decorative piece, which I would give a B. If you get it when it is a monthly special or when it is finally moved to the sale page it gets up to an A. mod edit to remove broken image links
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maggiedoll
Girl of Many Lands
If what you are saying is true...then I still don't care
Posts: 589
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Post by maggiedoll on Jan 20, 2008 13:13:38 GMT -5
Here's a picture of two dolls on the bike to show how it works. The doll hitching the ride can either face the girl riding the bike or face the other way. Surprising, once you get the stowaway's balance correct she will stay on until you take her off.
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