Saturday

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.

Bliss-Ranch.com Log Reindeer

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.

Log reindeer, Bliss-Ranch.com
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.

Log reindeer, Bliss-Ranch.com
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.

Log reindeer, Bliss-Ranch.com

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. 

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.  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.

Log Reindeer

Brawn is 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.  

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

Log reindeer, Bliss-Ranch.com

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

Log reindeer, Bliss-Ranch.com

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

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 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.

Log Reindeer

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.

Log Reindeer

The deer Uncle Tony made had noses that would light up.
Ours do not, but I think they should, don't you?

Log Reindeer Bliss-Ranch.com










Subscribe, Bliss Ranch arrives magically!

Follow on Bloglovin

17 comments :

  1. I love them in July or December...and yes, it would be great if the red noses lit up! I'm heading out on a road trip this morning and will keep an eye out for fun outdoor decorations like these. It's always fun to see what people have crafted from wood scrap. Tell Brawn to have those noses lit by the time I return. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. ENCHANTING ! Oh to live in the woods,how I would thrive. MERRY CHRISTMAS-Denise

    ReplyDelete
  3. Light up or not, the use of the red lightbulb for the nose is great! Fun post to read. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So cute! I used to have two full-sized log reindeer but the real deer took a dislike to them and kept knocking them over. Jealousy no doubt...

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is so cute! I love the little red bulb for his nose.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a clever idea...I just love these cute deer! You guys are so awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are so cool Bliss! I love your deers... I hope you will post a photo of them all lined up on the driveway. Love the red nose!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love it and I need to get me so cedar shakes :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are fun, I wish someone would fill my yard up with them on the sly (I've been flamingoed before, but never deered). Is there any way to go all McGuyver on a solar light to light up the nose?

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are really fun, Bliss! I have a lot of wood from some trees we took down...pinning!

    ReplyDelete
  11. My dad made tiny versions of these. He is no longer with us but my little reindeer are a lovely reminder to me of his creativity and patience.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a cute decoration that you both can work together on. Would love to have some in my yard, but the wild deer may not like them intruding on their territory.
    Have fun.
    Enjoy Christmas.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute project ... Deery. Although we do live out in the country, we sit atop an old, open hay field. No trees except for other properties way off in the distance. But not so far that we can't appreciate the seasons with them! And we've added a few here and there, but no cutting. It's OK ... we have friends who provide supplies :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. So cute, Bliss! And Christmas decor ready! Cheers!
    xo Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  15. It would be great to have the noses light up. I think I've given up on outdoor decorations. They just get snowed on and blown away. The reindeer are really cute. In my stack of pre-pinterest magazine clippings I have the inspiration for one something like this. But I've never seen them with faces like your deer have.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They look just as good this year as they did last year - I would 'deerly' love a driveway full of these woody creatures, maybe I could just make one for my mini front garden, and I'd love him to have a red lightbulb nose, that actually lights up !

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is my favorite...I never get tired of these dear deer!!!

    -andi

    ReplyDelete

I read every.single.comment. If comments are turned off on a post it's due to spam, so drop me an email instead BlissRanchBoss@hotmail.com.

BB
Disclosure Policy for Bliss Ranch:
From time to time there might be a written review of services or products on this blog for which Bliss Ranch may or may not have received that service or product for free. Receiving a product or service for free or at a discount will never dictate what is written on this blog or guarantee a favorable review. All opinions here belong to Bliss Ranch and Bliss Ranch alone. Bliss Ranch is not monetarily compensated to write anything on this blog... period! For the complete privacy policy please see the tab at the top of the blog.