The first part of this post is a guest post by one of our readers, Brandy, who has made her own version of Merida from BRAVE and how she made her. The second part of the post is my review of the movie BRAVE after seeing the pre-screening last week.
The Making of Brandy’s American Girl Merida
This project was very near and dear to my heart. My oldest daughter Jayla as you all know is in LOVE with American Girl dolls, but has never really gone gaga over the Disney princesses. Now, if you ask my youngest daughter, Jemma, she could tell you anything and everything about the Disney princesses. When Jayla found out that the new Disney princess in the movie, Brave, was Scottish she flipped out with excitement! My husband’s family is Scottish. When the Brave advertisements showed that the new princess movie was based in Scotland, Jayla fell in love with the character. Jayla loves learning about her Boyd family history. So, I got creative….
I purchased a used doll off of EBay. This was my first doll purchase off of EBay so I was very nervous. I was searching for a blued eyed doll with freckles..to match the Merida character. I got lucky and found a perfect doll. She needed very little cleaning. All limbs were tight.eyes worked perfect.and strings were long. Her hair was very dry and frizzy, but that didn’t matter…she was going to get a new wig. The wig was found on EBay from BAVAS International. They sell doll repair kits, wigs, and accessories.
The beautifully well made dresses are from an Etsy shop called the Enchanted Designer. The gold boots are from American Girl. They go with the Cecile and Marie Grace line. The black cape is from an Ebay shop called Sewingirl269.
Of course all dolls have to have accessories! I found a toy bow and arrow set on amazon.com. I then made a target out of card stock and laminated it.works out great because the suction cup arrows can actually stick. I then made an arrow carrier out of a cut down tin foil tube. I covered the tube in brown felt. Next, I added a string so the carrier can be tied around the doll’s waist. I added a few decorated metal tacks to the top.
Can’t wait to give this to her this weekend!
Char’s Review of the Movie BRAVE
Last week I had the opportunity to go see the movie BRAVE in 3D as part of a pre-screening. I took Natalie who is 10, my son who is almost 16 and his friend who is 15. Wearing the 3D glasses was fun and the 3D effects are not just in a scene or two – they are all throughout the movie. You literally feel like you are in the scenery.
I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone who goes to see it so, here are my thoughts:
Things I liked:
- Merida’s character! She is just the coolest princess Disney has come up with yet. She is smart, caring and not afraid to stand up for herself.
- The animation was phenomenal – from the Scottish countryside scenes to the archery scenes and everything in between.
- I loved the whole storyline and the way it evolved – I can’t tell you much about it because I will give the movie away, but let’s just say, it is a great lesson for parents and children – we can learn from each other.
- My favorite scene is pretty early on when Merida leaves the house all upset and heads off on her horse Angus. She does a little archery practice at high speed, on horseback, through the woods and it is just WOW!
- The humor in the movie is sprinkled throughout and some is just slapstick that kids of all ages but some of it goes right over the kids’ heads and only grown ups will get it.
Things I didn’t like:
- This movie is scary in parts and there is no two ways about it. If you or your child get scared easily – you may want to wait for it to come out on DVD so you can fast forward through the scary stuff.
- The bears. Yes, I know they were an essential part of the story, but I think they may have been a bit over done.
After the movie I asked everyone their opinion. Nick and his friend Abby LOVED the movie and gave it an A. They got all the humor, appreciated all the details in every scene, and were not bothered by the violent bear scenes. Natalie, on the other hand, went back and forth between laughing and being terrified the whole time. She gave it a C because she was scared so much. I really think the movie is best suited for kids ages 12 and up, however, some younger kids will love it and others will be bothered by the loud noises and bears. You have to know your child!
Would I go see the movie again? YES! I definitely would. Natalie will probably wait a few years to see it again on DVD.
Oh my gosh! She is perfect! Great job Brandy! Since I’m a person that says “no-no” to those “firstie” posts, I’m not putting “first”.
Secondie! Cool.
Just amazing is this doll play 19 by the way I did the little pillow!
Thats amazing! I cant believe she actually made her own Merida doll!
Hanna, dont think so, they always put doll days of play on the tittle. Just a guess.
Hanna – this is not Day 19 of Doll Play – that will be posted later this morning. All the Days of Doll Play will be clearly marked with their numbers.
Wow!I really LOVE that doll! <3
What a wonderful doll brandi
I need to find
That wig it looks bout right for a doll on want to costumize
A very beautiful customization, and even though I’m usually against customizing American Girl Dolls, I have to say that this is one custom doll that I would love to have. You put so much detail into it, and she turned out spectacular! Your daughter is sure to be very pleased.
great! now i have a place to go buy my emmie a new wig! custamization will begin in August- only because i need to find everything that i want to change. her hair is dry. she was from ebay and i got her for only 35. YAY!!! the doll is gorgous! and if im right, i think she might have been emmie. 23? i love the curls and i want to see brave very badly!
The doll and outfits are gorgeous. You are very creative.
I can’t wait to take my daughter to see the movie. Are there any other dolls of Merida other than the Disney line sold at major retailers?
WOW! that doll is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pretty!!!!!!!! and i prob. won’t watch the movie…………….but i don’t no….
wow brandy nice! I heard that Merida is the first leading lady for pixar! I just realized that all of the other pixar movies have had male heros!
I love that doll! I can’t wait to go see the movie!
your very lucky
the doll looks sweeter
That is really cooL! My sister LOVES Merida so when I showed her this she freaked out! Then we looked up Enchanted Designer on Etsy. Although we couldn’t find the dark green dress:(
I love dolls with red hair!
not to bother but whens the doll play day for today?
Chloe – I am putting the finishing touches on it right now. It should be ready in about an hour.
Cool!im going to see brave with my mom when it comes out!
Wait! Don’t you have 2 daughters? Didn’t the other one go?
Nope – she didn’t want to.
How do you get a doll diaries shirt?
Wow! You guys must of had a blast! Anyway so I’m going to toysrus I have fifteen dollars what should I buy?
I can’t deside! And to tempt me even more they have a pets tore right buy toysrus.
I love the Merida doll! She’s gorgeous!
I don’t know if I’ll get to see the movie, but it looks great!
Hey I have a quick question. What does GT3 mean? Thanks!
i love it because i loveeeee pixar!!!1
Hailey – you can win a Doll Diaries t-shirt if you enter your photos in the monthly Reader Photo Event and are selected as a winner.
The American Girl MyAG dolls have numbers. The older ones were called Girl of Today – so GT for short. GT3 is the number associated with that doll.
Thank you soo much! Helps alot!
WOW! You should totally make more of these and sell them on etsy or as a giveaway!
I can’ wait to see the movie– my dad might take me!
I am probably seeing Brave sometime this weekend! Yay! Thanks for warning about scary parts- had considered seeing it with some of my younger cousins from China (5 and 6, only been here seven months) but it may freak them out. If anything, may wait to see it again with them at the dollar theater or something.
I have to find those dresses and the bow! Could you please post a link to the bow? I’m not sure what to search for on Amazon. Just “toy bow and arrow” or what?
Sweet! I have a question about the wig–is it the same type of hair as used by AG–I have a couple of dolls that I am thinking of re-wigging, and I am trying to get the same type of hair–the stuff that doesn’t frizz so easily.
Hey Char, does the witch part play a big role in the movie? Thanks.
Kirren – Not really. There are really only two scenes with the witch.
when does it come out
Friday
How do I get the my american girl number? I purchased from the catalog doll A3-G1952. What would her number be? I am confused.
The best place is to look on AGPlaythings.com – she has a visual guide by numbers.
Thanks Char….
WOW Brandy! That doll looks just like Merida! She is so cute!
soooooooooooooooo cute
I soooooooooooo love her
Hi Brandi,
We are * Boyd * descendants too!!!
How cool is that? I almost fell off my chair when I read that name and had to double check. ?
We just saw Brave today for my DD22′s birthday and ADORED it. Disney Princess movies are a tradtion for us because her Bday coincides w/ their summer releases, so this was a little memory lane occasion! I digress!
The Scottish music and this amazing little heroine was so delightful. Her hair is beautiful… And that scenery and the little bits and bobs of Celtic this and Scots that. Really extra fun for us.
I also had to tell you that I was so smitten by the image of your Merida that I have to find a way to make one myself. You got her Just Right!! I am sure your girls LOVE her and your youngest daughter, bless her, should have endless fun with that gorgeous girl you put together!! I cannot say enough wonderful things about your review & project. I would love to add a photo to my Pinterst board so even more people can see her. I won’t until I hear that’s okay with you, though
http://pinterest.com/rsadams68/
Have fun & Thanks SO much for sharing!
-Renee (Dollhouse Designs)”
We just saw Brave this weekend, and we really enjoyed it. I have to admit I teared up a bit at the end. My 11 year old liked it but did say that “it was the scariest Disney movie she had ever seen!” She is usually pretty brave about movies, so she could handle it fine. Still there were some jump in your seat moments! Oh, and the doll looks fab!