Friday

Log Reindeer...in July

Two months ago there was snow in my yard.  We had the winter that never wanted to end.  Then we had the monsoon season, or at least it seemed like it with days of rain.

Bliss-Ranch.com Log Reindeer

So now that summer and beautiful weather has arrived, lets have;  
because when it's hot outside 
having my yard turn into a giant sno-cone doesn't seem all that bad.

There is one project that I start for the holidays well before the snow flies.  Every year Brawn and I make log reindeer for family and friends.  Brawns Uncle Tony was the inspiration about 20 years ago.  He made fairly good size deer then strung lights on the antlers and one year he made some small ones for us to hang on the tree.

Uncle Tony's Mini Deer Ornament
That started my obsession with making them as gifts, plus we have plenty of the raw material laying around.

Future Reindeer
One Christmas Eve some "deer" friends of ours went to church and while they were gone we implemented operation "Not Tonight Deer".  The covert operation involved quietly placing "Oh Deer" and "Yes Deer" on their walk way to welcome them when they arrived home.  Brawn and I thought we were pretty darn funny.


Over the years we have made lots of Rudolphs, and every one looks different.  The newest ones were made for each of the Grand kids with their names.

No I do not have a grandson named Rudolph.

Log Reindeer

 Our original deer had big wiggly eyes, but those didn't hold up so well in winter, and neither did their faux white fur tails.  And more than a few red noses have smashed to the ground.

Log Reindeer

Now we make most of their body parts out of wood.
Brawns in charge of the main body, tails and ears, I do eyes, antlers, legs and finishing touches.

Log Reindeer

They get a coat of glitter so they sparkle in the snow and some get jute with bells, some get scarves.

Log Reindeer
 The scarf on this deer was an old knit hat with pom poms that I cut up.

Antlers are usually better looking, 
but there are mosquitoes out in antler making country right now.


Log Reindeer
These ones are out to pasture.  Winter is hard on deer.  The one on the left is bark-less - Brawn made it that way.  These will get all cleaned up with new noses and scarves, fresh antlers, missing legs replaced, and they will line our walkway in December.

Log Reindeer
 The deer Uncle Tony made had noses that would light up.
Ours do not.

The Christmas in July party starts on Monday the 15th, so I hope you'll stop back in and link up something festive with Angie, Betsy and I.   Till then, stop over and see what Angie at Knick Of Time and Betsy at My Salvaged Treasure have created.  I'll give you a hint.... I am pinning both and making both in December.

 As for my Christmas in July Reindeer, it will go live at our oldest son's home in December.

Log Reindeer Bliss-Ranch.com






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47 comments :

  1. Wow - I had no idea these deer were a yearly thing. You're breeding quite a herd at your house! Very cute and what a great tradition to have with your hubby.

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  2. I love your log deer! They are so adorable. What a wonderful tradition.

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  3. This is just deer! Couldn't help myself! We have a bunch of birch logs, do you have instructions for how to make one of these cute guys?

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. OMG they're so cute I'm gonna die!!!!! :)

    -andi

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  5. So cute Bliss ... and good that both of you can work together. Great tradition.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  6. Brrrrrr...I can feel the chill in the air just looking at your red nosed reindeer. Cute, cute, cute.

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  7. These are so darn cute! I wish I had a forest so I could make a family of them every year. Love your family tradition!!

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  8. I Love it , DEER!
    What a hoot! you and Brawn are hilarious! That just sounds like so much fun! I will have to make one of those this winter....keeps me smiling!
    Hearts,
    Betsy

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  9. Bliss...cute reindeer but I just cant and wont think of christmas while I am on my summer vac this week. Maybe next week I will be more in the mood when the temps are in the 90s. :)

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  10. They're so cute I want one to make them. With some of the names of kids my lot go to school with I'm surprised I haven't come across a Rudolf! I like the wooden eyes more rustic than I can imagine googly eyes would be Not tonight deer, love it!

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  11. This could not be any cuter! How fun that are continue the tradition...and love not tonight deer. :)

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  12. Very cute. I know where I could find some logs. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Your deer are darling, darling.

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  14. These are so cute and what a wonderful tradition!!!

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  15. Cute, cute! I can't even think about Christmas right now in this 100+ heat. Just trying to see if I can visit a bit. I know you always make me smile! :)

    xo
    Pat

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  16. That is so cute! I would love to see them lining the driveway. I bet it's quite a sight!

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  17. When are you opening up your etsy shop? I have a lot of the raw materials in my yard right now thanks to "Sandy" but not in such neat piles. I remember the ones that would have light up noses but they weren't so rustic and bark-y looking (the ones I saw). These are too cute. It's funny I just read this on my hubby's birthday because he always calls today "Christmas in July"!

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  18. These are absolutely adorable -- great idea!

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  19. I love your log reindeer! The Christmas bulb used as a nose is the cutest thing! The fact that y'all made those instead of buying them mass produced makes them extra special.

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  20. Oh my goodness they are adorable Bliss! I bet you guys are so much fun... dropping them off in someone's yard... how fun!
    Love them!
    Susan

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  21. I absolutely love this! So adorable. I love the red nose reindeer! You are such a talent!

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  22. Girl, you put my crafting to shame! Those are adorable!!

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  23. That's impressive! We had the opposite winter, snow in December and early January then nothing, nada, zip. So in my head we should already be at Halloween by now:)

    Jessica

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  24. I actually did have a Christmas idea (or should that be ideer), just not sure if I have the time to execute it, but nothing would be as cute as your reindeer. I also love the idea that 'No Deer' and 'Yes Deer' turned up at someone's house when they were out !

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  25. This is the cutest thing ever Bliss - ( I forgot all about this !!!!!!! ) wow - I need to have one of these -
    and I DON'T want to be thinking of Christmas right now!
    OXXO

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  26. Love your deer! So cute. I can see why you might be confused about the season if you had snow just two months ago. Of course, I can't exactly talk...I did some Christmas shopping today. I'm determined to get it done before December so I can actually enjoy the season.
    Fran

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  27. you said the other day when i was singing christmas songs it wasn't too early to start...
    love these cute guys!

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  28. Just stop it! That's too cute. I'm dying how much I want some of these. You are a "deer" to make these for everyone. I'm sure by now everyone you know has received one. If you run out of recipients, I'll tell you where you can find another. :)
    And Evie-Deer is super adorable!
    Liz

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  29. i just asked my husband to help me make one for this christmas! so cute, i have seen them before but now that we have an excess of logs we can make a few easily! so cute. also the glitter coat is genius.

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  30. These are just adorable, Bliss. I will take one of these, please!!

    Cynthia

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  31. Awww! They are so wonderful! I'll bet you sidewalk looks dashing (or would it be prancing?) for the holidays!!

    ;) Christina at I Gotta Create!

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  32. LOVE! These are adorable. I adore the little ones for the tree and LOVE the big ones for outside. I might have to show my woodaholic this one :)

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  33. Just spectacular from their noses down to their toes! What an awesome tradition and how your friends must have loved what they found when they returned on Christmas Eve. Hope to see some views of your walkway this Christmas season :-)
    Pinning

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  34. What a great gift idea! Loved hearing about the history behind the deer...and the anatomy lesson was great too!

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  35. What a fun tradition to make one for each of the grands! I love the name plate hung with rusty wire...and the name, too. Cute!

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  36. I love your reindeer. You're so lucky to have such a creative husband. I think you two make quite a pair. These are wonderful.

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  37. I. LOVE. THESE!!

    I would totally have an entire deer-army if I were you. They're so stinkin' cute. Also, "not tonight deer" <-- hahaha!

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  38. Too cute...LOVE the "yes deer" and "not tonight deer" idea too. I bet your friends are always wondering what tricks you have up your sleeve next :)

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  39. Oh Bliss you just made me all giddy for Christmas now :) I love reindeer and these are just adorable....

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  40. I'm glad to know there is something OTHER than making babies that you Northern folks do in the loooong winter. You have enough babies...it was time to move on to deer...too.freakin.cute.....really...

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  41. Toooooo cuuuuuute! It's hard to get excited for Christmas when it's triple digits here... but he sure does make me want to try!

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  42. These are so darn cute!!! This sure gets me motivated to work on some outdoor Christmas stuff before the snow starts flying again. But phew... it's sooo hot!

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  43. Oh, your little reindeer would be sweet all winter.
    Love that!
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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  44. These are so neat! People would love those up here for Christmas!

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  45. Wow, what a crafty and clever reindeer craft! I love it!
    Thanks for sharing inspiration this holiday.

    Merry Christmas,
    Marilyn
    Christmas decorating ideas

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