|
Post by Mollyflower on Sept 20, 2010 11:56:44 GMT -5
I bought the set almost a year ago. It is probably overpriced, but it is a unique set, as far as I know, and that makes it worth it to me. I buy the historical stuff mostly for the grandchildren see how people used to live, but I have a sentimental liking for this set.
I grew up with these washday things. The plastic doesn't bother me. I'd rather have the pieces more durable and cheaper than having museum pieces. A cord would be nice on the washer and iron but aren't essential in my view. (Some of the old washers didn't run on electric power.) The only thing I miss is a lid on the washer. We always used the lid. I'd also like the ironing board to fold up for storage. I don't think it's fragile, however. Seems tough to me.
That said, my 6 year old g-daughter doesn't relate to the set. The 2 year old uses the washer as a hiding place for little animals and the ironing board as a shelf. Perhaps they are too young yet to understand the significance. We'll see.
|
|
|
Post by Mollyflower on Nov 2, 2007 15:23:49 GMT -5
Sparks Flying was introduced in 2002 and retired in 2018.
Steps High’s foal is white with dark spots and has thick black mane tail.
Sparks Flying is a lovely little Appaloosa colt with a primarily white hide, dark brown spots, black (perhaps a deep, dark brown in some light ) mane and tail which ends above the hocks. He has a diamond blaze on his forehead (hard to see in photos), just like his mother's. His muzzle is white, hooves black. He's in perfect scale with Step's High.
I really love this little guy, which I got off eBay. I would gladly pay $35 for him though, now that I know him. My granddaughter loves him too, and when she wants me to get him down from Steps High's side, she'll tell me her hands are washed. I always insist that the kids have clean hands when playing with my goodies.
Sparks Flying is sturdy and tough enough for play. (I have all the horses but the palomino and Patriot.)
Downside:
As someone pointed out, American Indians didn't shoe their horses, but Kaya's horses are molded with shoes. The paint covers the shoes so this doesn't really bother me much.
If you are a stickler for realism, you could take exception to the thick manes and tails of both Steps High and Sparks Flying and Steps High's long tail. The Nez Perce deliberately bred their Appaloosas for sparse, short manes and short, sparse tails to prevent hair from being caught up in thorns and dense shrub.
Another problem is scale. All the horses are too small, not is scale with the dolls--10 year old girls. However, when Kaya or Felicity is playing with her adult horse, the eye doesn't dwell on the size problem so much. I didn't realize this until I got Sparks Flying. When I put him next to his mother and Kaya, suddenly the scale looked really off. The reason, I believe, is that when the adult horse is alone with a doll, one compensates for lack of horse size by seeing the horse as immature, not full grown. But when the colt is next to the mother and the girl doll, there is no way to account for the size problem. I've gotten used to the size discrepancy. I suppose that had AG made horses in the correct scale, they would be too large and heavy (and expensive) for most people, especially kids.
Bottom Line: Sparks Flying is a beautiful little colt and I wouldn't be without him. Neither would Steps High.
I hope to put in a photo soon.
|
|
|
Post by Mollyflower on Nov 2, 2007 18:33:16 GMT -5
This saddle is great!
Perhaps it's all in the expectation of what the saddle "should" look like, but I am very happy with mine. I love its authentic look and was thrilled when I first saw a picture of it on the horse. Where else can you get such a wonderful reproduction of a Nez Perce saddle? At first I was disappointed that the frame wasn't made of wood, but a plastic frame for a toy is more practical.
The round shields on the saddle are supposed to be made of leather, light enough for the horse to carry without problems. I think the faux leather, AG shields are pretty realistic looking. The design is stamped on, not painted, but I think they look great.
The fringe is decorative and practical. Rain is carried off down the fringe so the garment or saddle doesn't become saturated. I got my Steps High off eBay without the fringe saddle "blanket." I didn't realize until I ordered the saddle from AG that the fringed blanket didn't come with it. I finally got one at replacement parts at AG for about $8.
The faux sheepskin is a perfect pad between the fringed saddle blanket and the hard saddle. I'm not sure about the authenticity of the little pillow, but anyone perched on such a saddle with a wooden frame would be glad to have it.
I give the saddle a high A. If I get another Steps High, I'll be sure to get a second saddle.
|
|