So Long Saige #AmericanGirl

I'm the mother of a real life 10 year old, American Girl artist named Sage, so we've LOVED having Saige as American Girl of the year for the past year.   It's bittersweet saying so long to 2013 and to Saige.  

My own daughter, Sage, celebrated her 10th birthday this year, just like American Girl Saige.   Both are artists who love to draw and paint.   And even their dogs had an uncanny resemblance to each other!  

It was too much fun having an American Girl Doll namesake. 

We even got to review a Saige doll and give one away for our readers, as we have for McKenna the gymnast and Kanani from Hawaii, the girls of the year the two years before.   Our Saige giveaway had a record number of entries, topping out at 7,740!!  We also got to give away a Saige Blu-ray/DVD.

**Click here to check out lots of our Saige American Girl 2013 coverage

Check out ChiIL Mama's Slide Show Below

• So long Saige
• Caroline author Kathleen Ernst book signing
• American Girl retired doll gallery behind the scenes, where ChiIL Mama's Sage got to do an exclusive video interview with author Kathleen.   

This time last year we also got to do a video interview with prolific American Girl author Valerie Tripp.   Check it out at the bottom of this post.

So long, Saige!

Saige Copeland may be gone, but she's NOT forgotten.   In fact, she's more precious and valuable than ever.  



She has joined the ranks of all the retired collector dolls in the American Girl series.

Check back with ChiIL Mama throughout 2014 for lots more American Girl coverage as we welcome Isabelle the dancer and offer more photo & video filled features, exclusive author interviews, reviews and giveaways.

*Click here to check out lots of our American Girl coverage including our current Bitty Baby Giveaway ($80 value). 


ChiIL Mama and 9 year old Sage interview author Valerie Tripp

WIN American Girl Saige's Movie On Blu-Ray/DVD ($26.99) #AmericanGirl #DVD #Blu-Ray #giveaway

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and win a Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of the movie Saige Paints the Sky, due for release July 2nd.   We got an early sneak peek at a press preview copy and it was a huge hit in our household with the 10 year old girl demographic!   Alright, I'll admit it.   We all enjoyed it, even the adults and the 12 year old boy.

The New Mexico locations are stunningly gorgeous.  The story is a compelling one of inner and outer strength, overcoming fears and obstacles, practicing hard and fighting for the arts.   And Jane Seymour rocks as Saige's Grandma, Mimi.  The Saige movie also introduces Sidney Fullmer as Saige, a talented artist with a passion for horses, in this modern-day story about finding one’s voice.

Click the link below for your chance to win a FREE Blu-Ray/DVD combo of the Saige movie! ($26.99 value).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This summer, Saige Copeland™, American Girl’s popular 2013 Girl of the Year, comes to life in a new feature-length movie from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky. 

The movie, releasing on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 2 and airing Saturday, July 13, at 8/7C on NBC, stars Jane Seymour as the beloved Grandma Mimi and introduces Sidney Fullmer as Saige, a talented artist with a passion for horses, in this modern-day story about finding one’s voice.

Here at ChiIL Mama we're extra excited about Saige Copeland™, American Girl’s popular 2013 Girl of the Year, since my own daughter Sage is the same age, loves art, and more than slightly resembles Saige (& her dog)!!   

We had an amazing response to our Saige doll giveaway with over 7,700 entries and will continue to bring you lots of American Girl events, giveaways, original author interviews and more.   In fact, we'll be shooting a video interview with author Kathleen Ernst who wrote the Caroline books and many American Girl mysteries THIS Tuesday!

ChiIL Mama's Sage & American Girl Saige 

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past photo and video filled American Girl features.

Nine-year old Saige is excited about the new school year until she discovers that art—her favorite class—has been cut. On top of that, her best friend, Tessa, is spending more and more time with another girl. For support, Saige turns to her grandma Mimi (Seymour), a well-known artist and horsewoman, who encourages her to take action and inspire her community in a fund-raising effort to start an after-school art program. Heartwarming, empowering, and fun, it’s a movie for every girl who has ever dreamed big.

American Girl Saige Doll Winner Announced! #Giveaway

American Girl of the year, Saige, and ChiIL Mama's daughter, Sage, 

both creative, artistic 9 year olds!

ChiIL Mama's elated to announce our American Girl Saige doll/book set winner:   Jennifer M!   We'll be sending our winner a private e-mail as well, in case there's any confusion as to which Jennifer M won.
  
We had an enormous, enthusiastic interest in winning our Saige doll/book set with 7,740 entries!!  Thank to all our readers who entered.   You rock!

Be sure to check back with ChiIL Mama (two ii's...one L...all fun in Chi, IL and beyond) for lots more nationwide toy, game, & book reveiws and giveaways and free Chicago area show tickets.

We'll also be running many more American Girl features this year, including more author interviews, book reviews, new releases and photo filled features.   

If you don't want to miss out, click the following to like/friend/follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube & Google + to be the first to know about nationwide giveaways, Chicago shows, and more.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out more of ChiIL Mama's past coverage on Saige, American Girl Doll of The Year 2013, including our book review, and photo filled welcome party feature.

Check out the main American Girl site for videos, free games, amazing historical & contemporary girls, and loads of excellent books.

ChiIL Mama's Saige doll/book giveaway has ended, but we'll be running exciting Saige features all year and there are still sweet giveaways, contests and philanthropy opportunities running at American Girl.   Here at ChiIL Mama we've always been impressed with the ways American Girl gives back to communities, empowers girls, and supports literacy.   This year they're also stepping up to support the arts!

To support Saige’s message of preserving arts programs in U.S. schools, American Girl is sponsoring a school grant contest and partnering with Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. American Girl’s “Shine On Now” charitable initiative will provide financial support to the organization's Arts Education Program, which provides arts education professionals with the information, materials, and resources they need to enrich student experiences with the arts.

To further engage girls, American Girl is introducing the following Saige-related initiatives:

• Elevate the Arts School Grant Contest: Starting January 1, elementary art teachers can enter to win one of thirteen grants totaling $45,000 for their schools’ art programs by submitting a digital image of a hot-air-balloon-themed art project and a written essay that conveys why the arts matter in their schools. Entries must be received via the online form by May 31, 2013.

• Soar with Saige Sweepstakes: Girls can share their artistic talents by downloading a hot-air balloon template from americangirl.com/girloftheyear and creating a colorful design using crayons, markers, or pencils. All balloon artwork sent to American Girl by April 1, 2013, will be uploaded to an online hot-air balloon mosaic and automatically entered to win one of ten prize packages.

• Saige Learning Guide: American Girl has teamed up with Americans for the Arts to create this free, downloadable curriculum, which encourages children to draw on their imaginations and discover how creative they can be. Students in grades 3 to 6 will enjoy reading Saige’s stories and doing the fun art activities outlined in this curriculum. Activities for parents to engage in with their kids are also available via Americans for the Arts’ website: AmericansForTheArts.org/go/AmericanGirl.

• Saige Retail Events: Girls can take part in Saige-themed events at American Girl retail stores nationwide, including painting demonstrations, free craft activities, photo opportunities, and delicious Saige-inspired meals.

The Saige collection will be available through American Girl’s catalogue, at americangirl.com, and at all American Girl retail locations until December 31, 2013 only. To learn more about the Saige contests and promotions, go to americangirl.com/girloftheyear or American Girl’s Facebook page at facebook.com/americangirl. To request a free American Girl catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005.

About American Girl

American Girl Brands is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, (NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), the world’s leading toy company. Since American Girl’s inception in 1986, the company has devoted its entire business to celebrating the potential of girls ages 3 to 12. American Girl encourages girls to dream, to grow, to aspire, to create, and to imagine through a wide range of engaging and insightful books, age-appropriate and educational products, and unforgettable experiences. In meeting its mission with a vigilant eye toward quality and service, American Girl has earned the loyal following of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators. To learn more about American Girl or to request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005, or visit www.americangirl.com.

About Americans for the Arts

For more than 50 years, Americans for the Arts has led the national effort to ensure that every American has an opportunity to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Championing the cause of the arts and arts education in communities across the country, the organization dedicates itself each year to providing programs that help foster an environment in which the arts can thrive and contribute to the creation of more livable communities; generate more resources to support arts and arts education; and build individual appreciation of the value of the arts. From their offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, they proudly serve more than 150,000 members and stakeholders annually. Learn more at www.artsusa.org or by calling (202) 371-2830.

Win American Girl Doll Saige From ChiIL Mama-Final 4 Days

Saige Copeland & ChiIL Mama's Sage--both creative, artistic, 9 year old American Girls!

American Girl's Saige and ChiIL Mama's Sage even have similar colored dogs!

We couldn't be more excited that Saige is the American Girl of the year 2013!
Click below to enter to win a Saige doll & book set ($110 value) from ChiIL Mama through midnight 1/31/13:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


**Click here for loads of our past American Girl coverage including photo filled features, our video interview with author, Valerie Tripp, and more!**




Check back with ChiIL Mama throughout 2013.   We're setting up a Saige horseback riding feature, an interview with a Chicago based children's book illustrator who is an artist like Sage's grandma, and even a hot air balloon adventure once the weather warms!

We'll have many more American Girl features this year including more author interviews, giveaways, and photo features.   So follow us so you don't miss a thing.   

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube & Google + to be the first to know about nationwide giveaways, Chicago shows, and more.

American Girl Saige Giveaway & Welcome Party Photo Feature #giveaway

Welcome Saige, American Girl of the year 2013!!   

Saige Copeland & ChiIL Mama's Sage--both creative, artistic, 9 year old American Girls!

We had a blast at American Girl Place in Chicago yesterday on 1-1-13, for Saige's debut party.   Check out our original shots here then head on down yourself.   Free doll sized Saige tee's, posters, and crafts are going on 9am-1pm daily through January 4th!!  



It was fun for ChiIL Mama's daughter, Sage, to be there on launch day.   We've NEVER heard her name so many times in one place!   All over the store we heard a chorus of excited girls saying:

Saige is so beautiful.   
Saige rocks!   
I've been waiting my whole life for a doll like Saige.  
I can't wait to get Saige.   
Saige is so cool.   
Saige is my favorite girl.
Saige has awesome hair.
I love Saige.



We had fun following creative clues and acing the Saige Scavenger Hunt to win a poster.  



We also picked up our free doll sized Saige tee and made a hot air balloon craft. 


  




We couldn't resist picking up her adorable dog (He's big, shaggy, black and white...and not unlike my Sage's dog!) and we were happy to see he's a soft body (unlike earlier AG pets) and comes with a leash.   

We also bought the super cool art set, which my Sage is paying for herself out of her "helpful works" money.  

I also couldn't resist the gorgeous sweater dress, accented with a southwestern flair belt.   It's a beautiful blue/purple like the color of flowers on Sage plants like May Night Sage and others in the Salvia family.  It's soft, 100% cotton and doesn't have scratchy seams--all big bonus points in our book!   Saige's accessories and outfits are cool, colorful and artsy. 

My Sage is now determined to save up and earn extra money so she can buy Saige's hot air balloon later this year.   It's pretty impressive and would look great hanging in her room.

Check back with ChiIL Mama often for more photo features, our author interview and the latest news on Saige related events!

We're also sooo excited to be giving away a Saige doll & book set right here at ChiIL Mama, like we did for American Girls of the year Kanani (2011) and McKenna (2012).   


Enter right here for your chance to win through midnight 1/31/13.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Disclaimer:  Thanks to American Girl for giving us a Saige doll/book set for our readers and one for review.   All opinions are our own.

Check out ChiIL Mama's prior Saige coverage here.