O Tannenbaum

In elementary school music class we were taught to sing the German folk song, O Christmas Tree in English and German.  This song, among others is in volume 11, Music for the Family, on page 121 of my 1961 edition of Childcraft that I still own.  Therefore, I was already familiar with the German version.

The lyrics of this Christmas song came to mind after decorating a pre-lit tabletop Christmas tree with mini Sparkle Girlz dolls.  The dolls were found at Wal-Mart earlier this year.  I purchased the tree at Big Lots shortly after developing the plan to use the dolls as ornaments.   

This plan was mentioned in a comment on my original post  about the Sparkle Girlz after Paulette of Limbe Dolls shared that someone told her the dolls would make nice ornaments.  Vanessa, of Fashion Dolls at Van's Doll Treasures, asked to see a picture of the tree after I decorated it.   This blog serves that purpose.   One of the photographs below was taken without the use of the camera flash to give more visibility to the tree lights.

Purple Christmas tree decorated with 16 Sparkle Girlz dolls.  I added tiny silver ribbons to some of the branches and curled the ribbon ends.  I wanted to add multicolored candy canes, but I could not find any that were made domestically.

The tree was lit in the previous picture, but the lights are more visible in this image taken without the flash.  The dolls are attached with clear rubber bands reinforced with purple bands used to make stretch bracelets.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches!  The tree has traveled from Texas to Illinois where the recipient, whose favorite color is purple, is enjoying it.

O Christmas Tree 

Lyrics in English and German

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum How lovely are your branches! Wie treu sind deine Blätter In beauty green will always grow Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Through summer sun and winter snow. Nein, auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, How lovely are your branches! Wie treu sind deine Blätter. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, You are the tree most loved! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen. How often you give us delight Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit In brightly shining Christmas light! Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, You are the tree most loved! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Your beauty green will teach me Dein Kleid will mich was lehren. That hope and love will ever be Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit, The way to joy and peace for me. Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Your beauty green will teach me. Das will dein Kleid mich lehren.

Merry Christmas!

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More Sparkle Girlz

I went back to Walmart to check for new Fashion Madness Kenya stock, hoping to find TJ, Dwayne, and Keyshia.  No such luck occurred.  However, I did notice the quantity of the Kelly-sized Sparkle Girlz had diminished from approximately 24 when I was there originally (minus the four I purchased that day) to six!

I purchased six additional Sparkle Girlz -- Walmart's remaining quantity.

With the thought of using them as ornaments still fresh in my mind, I scooped up the remaining six.  I'll add these to the two I purchased for my friend and possibly use the two I purchased for myself, depending on the size tabletop Christmas tree I find.

All 10 Sparkle Girlz -- the four in front are the original ones purchased.

As I stood in the 20 Items or Less line clutching the six new Sparkle Girlz in my arms along with a box of unsalted crackers, a woman walked up and asked, "How much were those dolls?"  I replied, "$2.47, but there aren't any more."  She expressed her disappointment, but I wasn't about to share.  (I have a tree to decorate, I thought ☺.)





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Fashion Madness Denise and Others Found at Wal-Mart

Friend of Fashion Madness Kenya, Denise was found at Wal-Mart. This basic version is $9.97.  Her arms are not jointed but her knees are.   She looks much better in person than in her online pictures.  I immediately removed her from the box for a full examination.

The dress quality is good and her black T-strap high-heels are a nice complement. 

Her round, Teresa Giudice hairline looks a little awkward, but there's always a quick remedy.

I removed the rubber band that kept the sides of her hair pulled back in a ponytail.  The looser style helps conceal her round hairline.  Since the basic dolls do not come with earrings, I added a pair of studs.

I was happy there was a Denise at Wal-Mart that I liked.  There were others for $14.97 that came with an accessory and probably had earrings.   The $14.97 dolls use some of Kenya's fashions and themes.  For example, Movin' On Denise is dressed in part of  Movin' On Kenya's outfit, minus the leopard coat. There were at least two other basic dolls.  One of the other basic dolls wore a summery white top and blue pencil skirt.

My Movin' On Kenya welcomed Denise with open arms; but after waiting nearly a year for her to arrive, she had a question for her.

Kenya:  Girl, what took you so long to get here?

Denise:  It's a long story, but bottom line, I got held up in China.  There were a few production issues and last minute changes that delayed my arrival to the States.

Kenya:  Sounds like you've been through a lot, but I'm glad you're here now.

 Denise:  Yeah, the wait was pretty frustrating, but I'm glad I'm here now, too. 

In unison:  Now if those big headed boys and Keyshia would arrive, the wait would be over.

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TJ, Dwayne, and Keyshia were not available at my Wal-Mart.  Hopefully they will arrive soon, but I did find the following Kelly-size Little Princess Sparkle Girlz by Funville.

There were several different versions (clothing wise) and it appears there are two complexions, medium and dark. I purchased two medium and two dark.  I'll keep two and give two away.

The complexion difference can be seen better in the image above.

Both have black rooted hair pulled back into a ponytail.

The ones I did not buy had a shorter ponytail, the ends of which were tucked under the rubber band that holds it in place. 

In the following comparison photo with two original Kellys, Little Princess's over-sized head is more noticeable.

Feet comparison:  Kelly's feet are longer and wider.

Body Comparison:  Little Princess has a longer torso and a wider stance than Kelly. 

For $2.47, I couldn't resist buying the four I purchased.


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