Log Reindeer

A popular project around here this time of year are these log reindeer.

Originally I posted about them a year or so ago for a Christmas in July link party, but now that I'm really feeling Christmas is on it's way, unlike in the month of July, I decided the deer should appear in December.

This is one project that I try to start for the holidays well before the snow flies.

Most every year Brawn and I make log reindeer for family or friends. 

Brawn's Uncle Tony was the inspiration about 20 years ago.  Tony made fairly good size deer then strung colored lights on the antlers and set his deer on their porch.

One year he made some small ones for us to hang on the tree.

Uncle Tony's Mini Deer Ornament

This little Rudolph is waiting to have his legs reattached and the small ones are what started my obsession with making reindeer of various sizes as gifts.

Besides 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 a plan we dubbed "Not Tonight Deer".

The covert operation involved quietly placing "Oh Deer" and "Yes Deer" on their walk way to welcome them when they arrived back from church.

Brawn and I thought we were pretty darn funny.

That is till we were caught like deer in the headlights when the yard lights started turning on. 

We hid behind a tree before speeding off in our sleigh.

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

No I do not have a grandson named Rudolph. 

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.  So these days we just use raw product from the woods on as many of their deer parts as we can.

And more than a few red noses have smashed to the ground.

Brawn is in charge of the main body, tails and ears, I do eyes, antlers, legs and finishing touches.

They get a coat of glitter so they sparkle in the snow.  

Some get jute with bells, some get scarves or big red bows.  It just depends on what I have around to use up.

Eventually in December they are mostly wearing a coat of real snow anyway.

As you can see, once winter hits it really doesn't matter too much how they are dressed, but fine looking antlers are important.

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

Antlers are usually better looking, but when these ones were gathered there were mosquitoes out in antler making country, and no man should go there to gather supplies.

Aging deer are put out to pasture.

Winter is hard on them - wood or otherwise. 

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.

If it's not too cold to decorate outside I might even string some lights on the antlers before my fingers freeze.

The deer Uncle Tony made had noses that would light up.

Ours do not, but I think they should, don't you?

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