bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Sept 20, 2008 12:02:57 GMT -5
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Sept 20, 2008 12:01:56 GMT -5
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:48:10 GMT -5
Mini Doll GCAWR: $20 Grade: A+When Purchased: I purchased mini Kaya directly from AG in 2002. Description: Mini Kaya is a tiny version of the real Kaya complete with sea shells in her braids, fringe and beads on her dress, and tiny moccasins. She has a cloth body, vinyl legs, arms, and head. She has painted-on eyes and removeable clothing. She is very cute! Durability: Mini Kaya is very durable, however her clothes (especially her moccasins) could easily be torn if they are taken on and off too much! Playability: High play value! Value for the money: High value in price! Overall Grade: A+
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:40:29 GMT -5
Pow-Wow Dress of Today WZO: $28 Grade: A
When Purchased: I purchased this directly from AG in 2006.
Description: (color, fabric, materials, fit) The outfit is made of a velvety-like fabric, unlike the suede Meet and Adorned Deerskin outfits. Also included; beaded moccasins, magnetic choker, feather comb, and matching girl's choker. Although modern, this is very well made with lots of beading (even on the moccasins) and fringe work. The necklace has a magnetic closure which is much easier to fasten than the traditional clasp. The feather comb is made of real feathers.
Durability: The delicate fringe and beads could be problematic with rough play. The strings on the moccasins look like they would break easily with tiny hands.
Playability: This seems to have a great deal of play value as it is one of the few of Kaya's outfits.
Value for the money: I feel you get many nice pieces with this set, therefore it is worth the money.
Overall Grade: A
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:32:35 GMT -5
Bedroll WDAQ: $24 Grade: B+When Purchased: I purchased this set directly from AG in 2007. Description: There are several pieces to this set; buffalo hide, tule mat, elk hide, pillow, fur cover, and shield. Each piece of fur is faux. The pillow is stuffed and the mat is made of thin wood. The shield is made of plastic sticks and a faux leather shield with a painted-on design. Durability: This set would be very durable for children to play with. Playability: Bedding is always nice to play with and children wouldn't have to have the large tepee as they could let Kaya sleep outdoors! Value for the money: This is where I have a slight problem. You could seek out some faux fur pieces at the local craft store and it would be cheaper, but this is still a relatively inexpensive set for bedding. Overall Grade: B+
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:25:22 GMT -5
Foods WSAL: $20 Grade: A+When Purchased: I purchased this set directly from AG in 2002. Description: (color, fabric, materials, fit) This set includes; woven basket, lump of huckleberries, 4 magnetic huckleberries, huckleberry branches, camas roots, tule mat, salmon, bowl, mashed camas, and finger cakes. All food are slightly rubbery texture. The bowl is plastic, the mat is thin wood, and the basket is woven with a nice woven strap. Durability: All items in this set are durable. Please note the magnetic huckleberries are no longer available in the set. Playability: I feel the doll food always has a high play value. I think the basket serves well for Kaya to collect the food and the mat is nice to display and serve the food. Value for the money: I feel this set is well worth the price. Overall Grade: A+
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:17:55 GMT -5
Hat & Parfleche WSOA: $20 Grade: B
When Purchased: I purchased this set directly from AG in 2007.
Description: (color, fabric, materials, fit) The hat is very nicely woven and lined inside. The parfleche is leather and has a painted-on deisgn. The bracelet is plastic with a leather tie. The hat fits Kaya, but is tricky around the seashells in her braids. The bracelet fits well, but has to be untied, then re-tied on her wrist. The parfleche is ok, but nothing to jump up and down about.
Durability: The hat and parfleche are very durable, however the bracelet (espeically the tie) are delicate.
Playability: All items in this set have nice play value, but the strings to tie the bracelet are short and would be hard for small hands.
Value for the money: I feel this set is worth the money (similar to her meet accessories)
Overall Grade: B
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:09:19 GMT -5
Adorned Deerskin Dress WSO: $26 Grade: A+When Purchased: I purchased this outfit directly from AG in 2006. Description: This outfit is made of soft suede like Kaya's Meet Outfit. It is trimmed in suede fringe and with beautiful beadwork, especially along the collar. It fits Kaya nicely with no problem areas in the shoulders. The belt is velcro and snug but not too tight. Durability: This outfit is very durable, but with the thin suede ties, these might break easily, especially on the moccasins. Playability: This is the only other historical outfit for Kaya, therefore it is essential to give Kaya something else to change into. Value for the money: I feel this is well worth the money. Overall Grade: A+
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 15:01:50 GMT -5
Sparks Flying WCAF: $36 Grade: AWhen Purchased: I purchased this directly from AG in 2008. Description: The foal is light weight plastic (not the heaviness like Sombrita) and covered in a soft white "coat" with dark brown/black spots. His mane and tail are black and so are the hooves. Durability: He is very durable and would withstand years of play. The mane and tail do get a bit tangled over time (and that is from them being in storage here). I imagine they would get more easily tangled in the hands of a child. Playability: The AG pets (IMHO) have a great deal of play value and this is true with the foals as well. Value for the money: I think the price is very reasonable for Sparks Flying, although for the same price you get a coat and rope with Patriot. Overall Grade: A
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 14:54:21 GMT -5
Doll & Cradleboard WCAD: $20 Grade: AWhen Purchased: I purchased this directly from AG in 2002 Description: (color, fabric, materials, fit) The cradleboard is made from a very durable cardboard wrapped in suede. There are tiny thin strings to keep her doll in the cradleboard. The doll itself is made from suede complete with a dress to match Kaya's Meet Dress. She has fringe and beads on her dress just like Kaya. Her face is painted on and very nicely done. Durability: The only thing I can see that would be delicate are the tiny, thin strings on the cradleboard to lace the doll inside. Playability: This set has a great play value as you get the doll and the cradleboard. Tiny hands would have a difficulty time getting the doll in and out of the cradleboard by themselves. Value for the money: I love all the doll's dolls and think this one especially is worth the price. Overall Grade: A
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 14:45:30 GMT -5
Craft Kit WSAB: $20 Grade: B+
When Purchased: I purchased this set directly from AG in 2008
Description: You get many pieces with the craft kit including; leather, fringe, awl, needles, sinew, cord, beads, and a shell. Everything is made from either leather or wood. The beads are real beads. The shell, however, is plastic. I think it would have been much nicer if AG had included a real shell instead.
Durability: This set seems very durable, especially with the plastic shell.
Playability: I like that even after a child gets done making the saddle bag and necklace, there are still pieces left to use with Kaya. This set will look nice with Kaya displayed making her craft.
Value for the money: I feel you get many nice pieces with the set. I was hessitant at first to order this, but like that is stores very compact and has many useful pieces made from wood and leather.
Overall Grade: B+
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 14:24:07 GMT -5
Kaya's Winter Cape & Hood WCO: $22 Grade: AWhen Purchased: I purchased this directly from AG in 2006. Description: This set is made from faux leather, suede, and fur. You get the cape, hood, mittens, and boots. Durability: I think this set would be very durable, apart from the suede strings on the moccasins. They appear to be thin and easily broken with small hands. Playability: I believe this set has a great deal of play value as you get many nice pieces for the price. It's an easy way to give two looks to any of Kaya's outfits. The only problem I found with the set is getting the hood on over Kaya's shells in her braids. You really have to work carefully not to break the seashells and yet get the hood on correctly so it will tie under her chin. Value for the money: In this set you get many pieces for your money which can be used individually or all together, giving several looks to any outfit. Overall Grade: A
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 14:17:24 GMT -5
Tatlo & Travois WDAD: $36 Grade: BWhen Purchased: I purchased Tatlo & Travois directly from AG in 2007. Description: Tatlo is stuffed plush and has muli-colored fur with lighter color fur around his feet, mouth, and eyes and his eyes are yellow-ish. Tatlo has some wire pieces in him but not stiff enough to make him keep certain poses. There is a white fur piece included to keep on his back. The travois is made from plastic sticks and leather/suede straps. It isn't hard to secure the straps once you know how, but the top of the travois either seems to rest on Tatlo's head or off to the side. Durability: This seems to be a very durable piece, especially with the travios being made from plastic. Playability: I believe Tatlo & Travois have great playability. You can add Kaya's doll and cradleboard to the travios and have Tatlo carry it along. Tatlo (IMHO) has more playability than the travois. Value for the money: This is on the pricy side, but Tatlo is very important in Kaya's stories. Overall Grade: B (because I would have liked to have seen the travois made from wood).
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 14:06:56 GMT -5
Meet Accessories WMA: $20 Grade: AWhen Purchased: I purchased Kaya's Meet Accessories directly from AG in 2006. Description: With Kaya's Meet Accessories you get a bag, belt pouch and a necklace. The bag and belt pouch are both woven with painted-on designs and both have leather accents. The 3 strand necklace is made of colorful beads and secures with a metal clasp. Durability: All of Kaya's Meet Accessories seem very durable. Playability: I think little girls always enjoy having little bags to store their doll items. This accessory set provides 2 plus a cute necklace. Value for the money: Although on the pricy side, Kaya's Meet Accessories add to her Meet Outfit (and other outfits) nicely. Overall Grade: A
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bijou
Our New Baby
Posts: 15
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Post by bijou on Feb 10, 2008 13:49:17 GMT -5
Kaya Doll & Hardcover Book WDH: $92 Grade: A+When Purchased: Kaya was purchased over the phone directly from AG in 2002 when she was released. Description: I had wanted a native american doll from AG since I started collecting them as a child. I was very happy to see AG make Kaya and especially like the fact that she has a different face mold than any of the other AG dolls. Kaya has dark brown eyes and a closed mouth (all other AG's have a slightly open mouth to show teeth in the front. My Kaya has the darker, less rosy skin complexion. She has long, silky, dark braids which are secured with shells at the top and leather strings at the bottom of the braids. She came with the neckstring and the back of her neck reads "Pleasant Company 2002". Her body tag reads "American Girl 2008". I really like Kaya's Meet Outfit. It has a very soft feel like faux suede. It has nice beads and fringe all over and lays nicely on my Kaya's shoulders. Her belt is velcro on the back and secures her outfit nicely. Durability: My Kaya came with very loose limbs so I recently sent her to be re-strung. I have never taken down her braids so I can't speak for how her hair can be combed, but like all AG's she is durable for a child's play (although I am a collector). Since Kaya's Meet Outfit has delicate fringe and beads these may be torn off if little hands get too excited. Kaya's moccasins have the thin suede straps to lace and these too seem fragile. Playability: Kaya is made for child's play however, I'm not sure children would pick her over the JLY dolls. Value for the money: I think Kaya is a very well made, nice quailty doll and well worth the money I paid directly for her directly from AG. Overall Grade: A+
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