First of all, Thank You so much for all the votes yesterday! You are truly the bestest!
And our tree's finally up! This year I didn’t feel like putting hardly any of our old Christmas tree decorations up, I wanted to do something different…
… so I made myself some dot garlands. It’s super simple:
Just punch out a bunch of white dots out of paper and run them one after the other through your sewing machine.
Bonus enjoyed them and the tree! See how he used the mini vacuum cleaner as his head rest while I was trimming the tree? My boy! Bonus has been really good lately btw. He’s stayed put three weeks+ now so fingers crossed around the globe that his wandering off days are over.
Is that a new tree stand too? It's very stylish and... Happy Birthday Benita.
Posted by: G.Sims | December 21, 2011 at 04:30 AM
It is but it started out like this http://www.inreda.com/showProductsDetail.asp?pID=16553&cID=23&agrID= and I painted it :)
And thank you!
Posted by: Carlos | December 21, 2011 at 04:32 AM
Happy Birthday Benita - hope you have a great year! Thanks for such an amazing blog :)
Posted by: Jenny | December 21, 2011 at 04:34 AM
Aha! Det var även en av Panduros nya etikettstansare med i paketet! Lyllos!
Hoppas att du får en riktigt skön födelsedag!
Posted by: Frida | December 21, 2011 at 04:42 AM
Dear Benita, As the year comes to an end, I just wanted to say THANK YOU for another year of wonderful inspiring posts. You are truly dedicated and I appreciate all the time you put into your wonderful posts. I wish you have a restful holiday and best wishes for 2012. Looking forward to another year of Chez Larsson!
Posted by: Nicky | December 21, 2011 at 04:43 AM
Happy birthday, Benita :). I had never seen such a cool tree stand as yours. I like it best in white too. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: amycapdet / May Zaragoza | December 21, 2011 at 05:01 AM
Nej faktiskt inte, den har jag haft i massor av år. Köpte den i USA och den har stansat både frostade plastbubblor till Willes förra dörr och hål i en fönsterfilm till förra källaren, prick-mallar till mattan som sket sig och tusen andra projekt :). Rekommenderas varmt! Använder ingen av alla de andra stansarna jag har men denna har som sagt gått varm.
Posted by: Carlos | December 21, 2011 at 05:01 AM
Vad är det för en dag...? Osv. Grattiskramar på den rätta dagen!! Och foten blev ju jättesnygg!! Måste nog ha något liknande till nästa år. Min gröna i plast från Åhléns känns som ett hån i år.
Posted by: Anne | December 21, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Beautiful tree and I love the leg! I'm on a seach for a leg myself.
Posted by: Leena | December 21, 2011 at 05:28 AM
Tack :)
Du kanske kan svepa in din fot i tyg så där som de gör i USA, en tree skirt. Fast det kanske blir FÖR kul för Jerry och Oboy...
Posted by: Carlos | December 21, 2011 at 05:30 AM
Congratulations on such a wonderful response in the favourite blog contest. Your inspiration and hard work are obviously much appreciated around the globe. Well done and Thank You Benita! and a very Happy Birthday to you too :-)
Posted by: Helane N | December 21, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Hi Benita. The tree looks fabulous. I love your circle cutter too. Could you let me know what make it is?
Thanks and Merry Christmas
Posted by: Lauren | December 21, 2011 at 07:10 AM
knocking on wood that bonus enjoys the tree inside rather than wandering around those outside.
Posted by: querencia | December 21, 2011 at 07:24 AM
I second that! merriest of Christmases to you all - even Bonus :-)
Your tree is lovely.
Posted by: Susan | December 21, 2011 at 08:53 AM
I like your simple tree. The garland is just perfect. We also have a simple tree this year. We have lots of white lights and a star on top. No ornaments this year (too busy and a new puppy) and still have so many compliments on our tree. It makes me smile.
Simple is good. :-)
Merry Christmas. Thank you (from Minnesota) for a wonderful, inspiring blog.
Posted by: Lisa | December 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Tis the season of simplicity! I too have decided to put fewer ornaments on the tree. Ditto the tree stand comments, love it. Benita, I hope you have a very special day and thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us, you are an inspiration!!
Posted by: Elisabeth | December 21, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Happy birthday!!!! That tree stand is fantastic, and the garland is lovely :)
Have a fab day!
Posted by: Carin | December 21, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Grattis på födelsedagen!
Jag hörde att många människor dekorera sina träd med små svenska flaggor. Är det sant?
(Förlåt min svenska. Jag är från Canada... men nästa år ska jag flytta till Malmö!)
Oh and your decorating looks great as usual :)
God jul!
Posted by: Ekaterina | December 21, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Tack och välkommen till Sverige!
I don't think it's that common to decorate with flags nowadays http://schmacksnack.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/dscn3549.jpg but I remember that my dad's cousin's family did it when I was a little girl. I've also seen it on Danish trees http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y4YrwPd509A/TREf3HkkQUI/AAAAAAAADBg/O8IQnz_EKa4/s1600/December%2B2010%2B004.JPG where is seems more common.
Posted by: Carlos | December 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Looks great! I make those garlands for birthday parties and put one in my son's room as well. I also like your stand...
Do you think Bonus finds it too cold to stay out?
Posted by: Giulia | December 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM
I think so, because he does go outside but quickly jumps inside again. A little odd though because we've had MUCH colder winters where he's stayed outside for longer... I'm happy though :)
Posted by: Carlos | December 21, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Those colored "ornaments" are foil covered chocolates btw. Which means the tree will soon be all white ... :)
Posted by: Carlos | December 21, 2011 at 12:39 PM
First happy birthday! Second I love the tree! We hardly decorate our tree with ornaments anymore, just white lights and pine cones (some plain, some with silver glitter and some white) and it really is my favorite look. I feel sad about not seeing the sentimental ornaments, but then I feel happy that the tree can go up and down in about 1 hour, no muss, no fuss! I would also like to say as others have Thank You floor writing your blog every day!!!! I read many, many blogs every day (at the sites, not in a reader) and you are always the blog I read first. Every. Single. Day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! :)
Posted by: Kristen | December 21, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Happy Birthday, Benita! Sto lat!
Love the tree and the tree stand. Oh, that rouge Bonus. He knows that staying put at a warm house with food during winter is a bonus :-).
Posted by: Zosia | December 21, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Happy Birthday! Hope you find time to put up your feet, if you fancy, or work on an especially endearing project! Love the tree's simplicity, and your garland is fantastic!
Posted by: Lisa Flaherty | December 21, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Happy Birthday Benita... don't know if you consider yourself a Sagittarius or Capricorn (I see traits from both signs in what I know of you via blog-land).
Your blog is the first one I peek at each day... making repeated visits if you haven't posted yet. Your simple, easy on the earth decorating style is treasured by many blogger advocates & the way you share life in a country foreign to some, is delightful.
Enjoy your first Christmas in the new place with your mom & Willie & the kitties...
BYW, does your mom know how many bloggers visit & converse with you every day? she must be proud your influence has spread world-wide.
So, my creative, blogger friend... enjoy your day of birth doing something that makes you happy.
Hugs from the coastline of California!
Posted by: christine e-e | December 21, 2011 at 01:55 PM
oh - happy birthday too! and the dots are sweet, i've been wanting to make a garland with sewn circles as well, similar to these beauties, but things are going from crazy to crazier over here! we'll decorate ours tonight, for the solstice. xx
Posted by: elisa | December 21, 2011 at 02:30 PM
bonus, home for christmas! hooray.
Posted by: jeannette | December 21, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Happy late Birthday x
Great tree decs, and hopefully a bit more snow will keep those wandering paws well and truly 'at home' Hxx
Posted by: Flyingblindonarocketcycle.blogspot.com | December 21, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday, Benita! I hope that you get your Birthday Wish! And I'll take this opportunity to say that I, too, really look forward to your post each day--often opening up your blog late at night so that I can see the next day's post (I live in SoCal). I love what you've done with this year's tree--elegant simplicity. I've asked for circle punches for Christmas; I have a few crafts planned for them. I must include some garlands as you've created for your tree. I'm glad to hear that Bonus is staying put and I join the masses who hope that he will remain at home. Did I miss the post on the re-do of those lovely chairs? I really like the grey next to the white. So crisp! So you! I love the chairs even more now! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Benita! And thanks for letting us come along on the ride of your life!
Posted by: Peggy | December 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Marta | December 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Happy Birthday Benita! Wishing you all the best.
Posted by: Monica | December 21, 2011 at 06:59 PM
For, not floor! Eek! But I like your floors, I guess? Crazy auto-correct...
Posted by: Kristen | December 21, 2011 at 07:15 PM
I love the tree base ( and the tree). Thanks for the photo of Bonus. I have a guy, Griffy, who I think is his twin in Arizona,US! Happy Birthday too!
Posted by: amanda | December 22, 2011 at 02:26 AM
Happy Birthday! The tree is lovely.....
Posted by: Susan | December 22, 2011 at 02:49 AM
i wish i could sew... this is beautiful!!
Posted by: Punctuation Mark | December 22, 2011 at 05:07 AM
Here's that post:http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2011/11/galaxy-update.html And now I've ctually made them both over. Yay!
Posted by: Carlos | December 22, 2011 at 05:09 AM
My mom doesn't even understand the concept of blogs (even though I've tried to explain) so no, she doesn't have a clue :)
Posted by: Carlos | December 22, 2011 at 05:10 AM
I was meaning to check the make last night after work and completely forgot... will check tonight!
Posted by: Carlos | December 22, 2011 at 05:21 AM
Vackert!
Posted by: Malin | December 22, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Happy Happy Birthday. Love the garland. I made the same type of garland the other day and it is really easy. Love your tree.
Posted by: Beatrice | December 22, 2011 at 11:07 AM
My fingers are! He's a good (and a fluffy!) boy.
Kisses from Brazil
Kathia
PS.: Happy birthday (sorry I'm late)
Posted by: Kathia | December 22, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Benita, when my neighbor Cindy moved a few blocks away, the cat who owns her, Cosmo, would return to the old house for months and months. When he showed up at my house, hungry, I'd feed him and call Cindy, who would come and get him. It happened time after time.
Eventually, his visits ended and he adjusted to the new location. I missed seeing him so often, but he was happy and contented.
A late happy birthday and a Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Posted by: Diane | December 22, 2011 at 01:04 PM
Happy Birthday, Benita!! Love the Garland, love the base..Thanks for the idea.
Posted by: Sandra Yeong | December 22, 2011 at 01:10 PM
I checked and realized that I must have bought it in Hong Kong and not in the US as I thought, I'm afraid it's a local chinese brand...
Posted by: Carlos | December 22, 2011 at 04:38 PM
What a great idea to go simple once in a while. The garlands are lovely. I must remember to try that next year. And of course, how can I not mention the tree stand? It's the coolest stand I've ever seen. Happy belated birthday!
Posted by: Haewon @ BabybubbleNYC | December 22, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Dear Benita, Happy sixteen birthday!!! Not sixteen? well... you sure have this energy! I simply love everything you write on! Wish you all the best!
Noga
Posted by: Noga from Israel | December 23, 2011 at 04:19 AM
Thanks for checking Benita. I'll have to do some research to see whether I can get a similar one in England. God jul och gott nyt ar!
Posted by: Lauren | December 23, 2011 at 01:08 PM
Great tree :-)!!!
"feel like putting hardly any of our old Christmas tree decorations up, I wanted to do something different…"
Me too. So I bought new colour shema white-red. My cats hate mini vacuum cleaner and actually beat that thing when off.
Where idd oyu get that amazing tree stand?
Posted by: jja | December 23, 2011 at 04:22 PM
It's from Inreda.com http://www.inreda.com/showProductsDetail.asp?pID=16553&cID=23&agrID= but I painted it :)
Posted by: Carlos | December 23, 2011 at 05:35 PM
That's the cutest tree stand I have ever seen!
Posted by: cms | December 27, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Hi Benita, i referenced this post on a blog post i did about bunting (i wanted to link to your blog about stitching together little bunting strings but i couldn't find it). hope that's ok? xx
http://byebyebirdie.squarespace.com/sewlattedoughblog/2011/12/30/time-to-string-up-a-little-bunting.html
Posted by: Byebyebirdieuk | December 30, 2011 at 04:11 PM