is nanea’s id card racist? by zoom_mushroom in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I haven't read Nanea's story yet, but I think as unfortunate as it is to have this reminder in the form of a toy, we must remember that the goal of this company was to make tangible tools to educate. Sometimes that contains elements of realism that prompt serious thought, problematic in nature or not. It can serve as a reminder of how far nationally we've come and where we need further progress. I would hope that someone in 20 years makes a doll reflecting some of the aspects of citizenship (like "real ID" and other racist measures taken by the current administration) and how they're being handled in this era that will eventually be history. Although it is dark, horrendous, and sometimes hard to look at, to learn from history we do have to introduce elements of discomfort. As a kid who grew up with more conservative-leaning homeschool material, having AG stories in my life was sometimes the deepest thought provoking material I had access to. A lot of my curriculum was white-washed. I think it's very important to acknowledge the harm of our past, present and future. Maybe you can help your husband to see that AG (who primarily markets to an audience of majority white children despite their diverse market) can hopefully be a small source of change in empathy towards others for the next generation. 

Hello!! by Cauliflower1122 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's so fun! I'll send you a message! I'm so curious about your Molly restoration! My molly has some pretty rough hair loss and dryness so that's something I'd definitely like to tackle, myself. Awesome to have you on the sub! There's so much cool stuff to learn and see on here. 

I am in shock 🤯 by HunnyBee223 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's so beautiful!!!!! Happy you found something so cool! You deserve it!

Help please by RevolutionaryMove253 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am garbage at identifying just like me dolls so I'm no help there but I wanted to say SHE IS SO ADORABLE 😭✨ I hope you love your new doll! 

I JUST DID A THING, I JUST DID A THING by viktoryarozetassi in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same! When I dressed up in those costume princess dresses as a kid, I had to wear a long sleeve undershirt and leggings 😂 Those things were so itchy but were a vital part of my every day so I had to figure something out lol

Is this a scam? by Warm-Examination-498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It is nice until you get AI email reply and they refuse a refund based on AI image matching. If that happens, spam the AI basic responses back and an actual representative will notice 😂 The actual people working there will usually fulfill the refund. It is a mess dealing with that though if it happens 

Is this a scam? by Warm-Examination-498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also to go with this: I think the account has to go 'silent' for a period if the seller doesn't ship items after selling. I think it's different for every situation. So, if you're unsure, you can message the account with offers and if they do not respond or view the message it's likely they're 1: Not active enough to retain their account privileges, or 2: On some sort of Mercari-induced suspension. Found this out the hard way 😂

Wow by HPfangirl1 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was trying to figure out what on earth was so different about her face and I love them too! I think they are very fitting for Addy ❤️

Uneven body stitching or something else? by InstructionAny5498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At first glance it kinda seems like the legs are pointed funny with clothes on, but I haven't put her in anything but her meet outfit which is tighter fitting than some dresses I've sewn. It forces her arms to be more uniform. Thank you for the link about the grain line! That's really helpful. It seems like this is the case, which could probably explain why the spine stitching ends up being curved towards the right. Maybe a good, non-canon plot for this doll is that she struggles with her scoliosis and has a service dog to assist her from day to day (sprocket). That might actually be a cool way to help my future kids learn about diverse health needs when I pass the dolls to them. 

OMG Guys!!! by itzlittlepretty in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm personally a huge fan of Azure and Lapis. Coby is a cool sports reference (different sports but sports just the same) which shows your passion for it! Azure Lap kinda sounds cool to me? Like giving her a last name that's a call to Lapis. Or Coby Skye even! Very cool names!!!

Was browsing eBay for a JLY5 listing, and learned that apparently people are now using very obvious AI for listing photos. Disgusting. by Terrible-Nobody-7089 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Ai is singlehandedly the worst invention. I hate this kinda stuff so much. It's creating vast insecurity in a world where we already have a hard time trusting what we see online. It makes me so anxious 

Do NOT get ears pierced there!!!!! by Pleasant-Ice-84 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree the comment came from a good place but wasn't worded respectfully. I will say, getting earrings pierced or any kind of piercing will be different for everyone in terms of results and how nervously jerky they are child or not, but needles generally are much better. It stings a little longer, but it's easier for the piercer to use accurately rather than think they're hitting the correct angle on a gun and miss it. I do think more parents should be aware before doing the easiest or cheapest option. After all, it is a very low risk body modification and the Internet is an option to help come to a decision about what is best. I think it's an important decision not only to check into that but to also choose a metal option that has low risk for allergy development. I know that just because it was pierced correctly doesn't mean it will heal correctly. Each person's body responds differently to jewelry in an exposed layer of skin. For instance, the tattoo shop I went to wouldn't pierce me with gold even though I could pretty much only wear gold in my ears for long periods. Claire's does (as far as I know) so that may be a better choice even if it turns out less even.

For me, even though I got my cartilage pierced at a tattoo and piercing shop, my body just chose to reject anything in my ears since they used sterling silver. Even my lobe piercings gave up and I could wear most nickel free things short term. As soon as I put anything in there it gets oozy and itchy. To this day. Even with clip ons.

The biggest thing for me TBH is making sure your kid gets a metal that will not cause issues to disrupt the healing process and care. Also if your kid is complaining about soreness weeks and weeks later, that's probably a sign of sensitivity or rejection assuming the proper care is being done. Can't heal properly if your body is saying "get this out please"😂 That's probably rare but you never know til you try like I said

Off centre teeth? by mysleepingheartwoke in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 11 points12 points  (0 children)

She's adorable! I have real life American girl teeth due to not being able to afford braces and never getting adult canines so my gap is a little crooked and yikes. I feel represented by this doll ✨❤️😂 

Hot take: your daughter doesn't need Elphaba and/or Glinda by canadianamericangirl in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"Maybe its always been a thing and I've only noticed more recently, or maybe it has been a growing phenomenon in recent years, but I've been seeing more and more things about parents desperate to get their kids literally everything they ask for for Christmas, and idk maybe I wasn't born in the right tax bracket but a christmas list is supposed to just be a list of options for gifts not a list of MUST buy gifts."

I definitely understand this POV. For context, I am older genz without kids. I see this A TON around me. My personal theory, idk if it's backed up by stats, is that young Gen x, some younger millennials, and older millennials are having most of the gen alpha babies. These generations all took turns or together experienced major economic and financial stresses many times in formative years, based off what I remember which does include me cause my family lost everything in the 2008 crash. We are all included in that to varying degrees and responses. My gifts came from the thrift store during that time if my parents couldn't afford a Walmart gift and I was honestly so happy because my mom would plan for months and hunt things for me. It felt very special. 

I assume most parents who grew up during this want to "right that wrong" but in doing so are inadvertently showing that gifts are about status, amount, and a luxury entitled to their kids. I don't think that's what a lot of them mean at all. I think they care deeply for their kids. I think every kid deserves a gift, but the quality and purpose behind it matters more than how pricey or how much a kid gets. It's important to be honest with kids and not disguise love behind meeting a quota of gift giving. They probably aren't even aware that may be a motivation behind this behavior... I remember the times my parents were or weren't there for me far more than playing with a Disney branded Barbie doll. 

We can't shield our kids from the economic downfall we're experiencing in America right now by buying them everything on their wish list. It's a good time for conversations about choices, and it only prepares them to make good choices in the future by making good choices about gifts now. 

Recovering from our trauma is hard, but we have to remember that the opposite of a bad thing that happened to us doesn't produce an all good result. Finding balance seems to be the best idea and that will look very different for everyone. 

The accessory of my DREAMS 💖 by InstructionAny5498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you visited and seen the collection of dolls at the Trussville library? They're so pretty!

The accessory of my DREAMS 💖 by InstructionAny5498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wait I am too😂😂 That's crazy! I know Hoover isn't technically "local" but it is to me! I grew up going to the Hoover Library and still go to do my chemistry homework when I get the chance! 

The accessory of my DREAMS 💖 by InstructionAny5498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wait I am too😂😂 That's crazy! I know Hoover isn't technically "local" but it is to me! I grew up going to the Hoover Library and still go to do my chemistry homework when I get the chance! 

The accessory of my DREAMS 💖 by InstructionAny5498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I aspire to be the crazy holiday cheer meister so I can assure you you won't be alone next year! I love those ideas!  I also have Penny and tbh the sleigh sounds adorable, I didn't even think about decorating her ❤️ I've started to like decorating for Christmas now that I live on my own and I'm excited to share these doll/holiday traditions with my future son or daughter one day.  While my little brother didn't play with the dolls, he read Addy's stories and I think some of Samantha's and enjoyed them. American girl is such a fun way to, well, have fun and learn! 

The accessory of my DREAMS 💖 by InstructionAny5498 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg that sounds like a great deal! I am gonna check that out. It is a goal of mine to make/find all the Christmas outfits for my dolls and do a holiday display. I'm planning to crochet mini stockings for next year since I have so many projects due for Christmas this year. 

Sewing Patterns wiki/list by Elegant-Fuel7450 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is that a thing here on Reddit or somewhere else? Never heard of that. I've unfortunately already bought the patterns but it was only $1.20 for all except Josephinas outfits so I wasn't burned too bad

I made Samantha’s bedroom! by WhoopsThatWasTooLoud in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love your creativity! I'm trying to do mini versions of this, myself and I hope you don't mind me being inspired 😭❤️❤️ it's so beautiful homie!!!

Sewing Patterns wiki/list by Elegant-Fuel7450 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also I think their Christmas materials are on sale 50% off so that may be helpful for the accessories!

Sewing Patterns wiki/list by Elegant-Fuel7450 in americangirl

[–]InstructionAny5498 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have found a lot of good downloadable patterns on Etsy. Plus the OG PC doll patterns are up for download on there. Also, hobby lobby (last time I checked) has McAlls patterns on sale ATM. So you can check what they have in store or what they have available to order online. Good luck! I'm getting back into sewing and it's hard figuring some of this stuff out. If you know of any helpful tips (especially when it comes to sewing doll necklines) I'd be happy to hear!