Dotee and Tree

First of all, I couldn't resist photographing my friend Ann's tree when we were round there today and I hope you'll indulge me if I show it here (if not please scroll down to the next bit!)

Unlike our artificial offering this is a genuine tree with real needles. Ann has some beautiful decorations which have been gathered over the years by herself and her parents and parents in law. I particularly liked this little bell

I love the little garland of coloured balls draped behind the bell, which were a new addition last year.

I have been waiting for a piece that I made for Anna to reach her before showing you it here and her blog shows that she has now received it so it's safe for me to post it here at last

Anna had been sending out pieces of her rust dyed fabric as a challenge to people to produce something from it to send back to her (while retaining part of the fabric for their own use). I decided to make a dotee doll as I enjoy making them. It's strange how these things speak to you isn't it? I felt this dotee wanted long hair and the only way I could think of to make it was with various fancy yarns which I doubled and secured into the seam at the top of the head. I then proceeded to tie myself in several knots while sewing on the beads! (I always apologise to my dotees while I'm stitching them up and sewing the beads on. I tell them that it will only hurt for a little while. I hope they forgive me!) I have left it up to Anna to decide whether she leaves the hair long or gives it a trim!