Over It

23 Replies

We got the new American Girl catalog the other day…as always Brianna and I honored our pact to look at it together first.  No peeking!  Somewhere between then and now I got over my frustration with American Girl’s changes to the dolls, clothing, packaging, and PermaPanties.

Not that I embrace those changes.  Not at all.

I think what I realized is that I’m not a collector.  Now, some may say that anyone who has received/bought three dolls since turning 40 is most definitely a collector, but the prospect of buying AG items in the years to come isn’t really where my fun comes from.

Where my interests fit in to the AG world is in the stories – both the ones written by AG authors, and especially the ones I dream up for the blog.  If I’ve got my Julie, Kit and Addy (Ok, and Brianna’s Maryellen whom I have sort of stolen from her), I have what I need to create stories.  I cherish the outfits I do have, especially some of the Christmas and historical outfits from my mom and my mother-in-law, and I hope that there will be some other quality items to add in the future (Julie’s basketball outfit, I’m talkin’ to you!)

noexif_IMG_6091_private

A favorite story from the past “Save the Eagles, Maybe?”

The other thing I appreciate about my “un-collection” is my friendship with all of you.  Whether you are a tween, teen, or way grown-up, we are bucking the idea that dolls are only for little girls.  We all deserve play time!

Whatever Mattel does with American Girl I won’t let it steal my joy.

IMG_7694

 

 

23 thoughts on “Over It”

  4. Emily

    What a great attitude! I’ve been getting frustrated with all of the negativity from the fandom lately. Buy what you like, leave what you don’t, and make the most out of the collection that you have! Use your dolls to bring you joy in whatever way that might be.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
  5. MERmade9

    Agree; well said, Jen! If we finally both get well/done going to doctor appts., I may actually post on my poor neglected blog again? Have done a few fun sewing projects while stuck @ home, so… hope springs eternal! 😉

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. Jen Post author

      Oh, I’m glad you have been able to get a little sewing time in! I hope you are all feeling better soon. I thought it was just us snowy winter people who got these viruses! I will look forward to reading again again when the spirit so moves you 🌵😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  6. bennettv

    This is exactly how I feel. I don’t agree with the changes that AG is making, and I probably won’t buy dolls in the future that have some of these changes, but that doesn’t mean that I am going to stop loving the dolls, stories and friends that I already have. 🙂 I will just buy what I like, and craft the rest. 🙂

    ginnie / http://www.fakingitmostly.com

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
    2. Jen Post author

      Absolutely… it’s easy for me to get distracted by the drama in the fandom right now, but as I changed Addy this week after finishing our last date to make purchases at work (frantic spending), I thought… this is one thing I do for me that is just for me… and that is good.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  7. jackylina

    I agree with all the wonderful comments above and your very well written post. I consider myself a collector because I have so much, but I’m a play collector. I collect them to play with them, not to display and collect dust.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Flo

      That’s me too Heather, my dolls definitely are not dust collectors! I just wish Mattel would realize what they are doing to a once fantastic product. But it doesn’t change how I feel about the dolls I have and the friends I’ve made in the process of everything!

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply ↓
    2. Jen Post author

      Totally understand the distinction. While I remain interesting in all the AG happenings, I don’t want them to distract me from what Got me started with Addy in the first place.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓
  8. Xyra & Melody

    A long time ago someone made a comment about collecting. Collectors keep things in boxes, look for matching numbers, etc. I’m not a collector. I like to have fun with my dolls. My favorites are American Girl. I’m not thrilled with the changes Mattel is making, but as you said – don’t like it, don’t buy it. If something screams add me, I might buy if it goes on sale, but I am very happy with my doll family, wardrobe, and accessories. When first started blogging I realized that even with the few outfits I had I could mix and match and get over 80, now…I can’t count the possibilities..

    My only hope for AG as a company would be that they had continued with a quality product that would move through the generations. As they don’t seem to value that; my hope for the young’ns now playing with AG is that they make lasting memories with their dolls.

    And I must echo your thoughts and love for the friends you have made while blogging. ❤ ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
    1. Jen Post author

      Love what you have said about the dolls moving through generations. Definitely in jeopardy. My Barbies from the 70s are still going strong with untold hours of play, whereas Brianna’s last about a year before the head or leg breaks off irreparably. I can’t tell you how many Barbies have sported a scotch tape cast around here.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  9. Brenda & Sophie

    I love your thoughts about the changes at AG. You definitely struck a chord with us AG lovers. Hopefully someone at AG goes through all the AG doll blogs and gets a hint. That said, I am not a collector either, I love my dolls not for their collectible value, but because I LOVE playing with them.

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. Jen Post author

      I hope for a change of heart by the AG management, but in the meanwhile I have re-dedicated myself to enjoying what I have.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  10. Madison (Delightful World of Dolls)

    Lovely post, Jen! “Whatever Mattel does with American Girl I won’t let it steal my joy.” Amen! 👍 I also totally agree with what Emily said. I’m not going to boycott AG because of changes I don’t like. If I don’t like a product, goodness gracious, I don’t have to buy it! I’ll keep loving my dolls and doing what I do ’cause that’s just how I roll. I’ll buy what I like (including that gorgeous doll I’ve been eying before she gets perma-pantied), leave what I don’t, as well as leave the drama to people who want to spend their time on it.

    ★Madison

    Like

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment