2012 calendar : watercolor wash

With 2012 just a month away (how is that possible?) I thought it was time to formally roll out the carpet for next year's calendar!

Head on over to my Etsy listing to pick up one up!

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now offering : custom stamps

So, can we officially start talking about holiday gift giving now that our Thanksgiving turkey has sedated us with its tryptophan?

I recently cranked out a couple stamps for a few loved ones in my life to be wrapped up and placed under their tree.  Let me know if you'd be interested in your own address or logo stamp or if you'd like to gift one to a dear of your own!  You can email me at ohmydeerhandmades@gmail.com

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thanksgiving thankfulness

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thankful / tiny treasures

photo via here, by Jose Villa

H A P P Y    T H A N K S G I V I N G    W E E K    T O    Y O U .

2012 has been a tougher year than normal for me to be thankful.  Death and sadness and mourning and gray have covered season after season for our family.  Being thankful in the midst of the depths is no easy task.  But I've tried to practice something new this year--when I feel myself sinking into the sadness, I stop and say thank you.  Maybe it's for something I never think to say thanks for; maybe it's something I say thanks for a lot.  But here's the thing: it's hard to stay in a dark spot when you start enumerating all you do have.  

I know this may sound like something easier said than done if you're in a well of sorrow.  But try it once.  How about this: I have a bed that keeps me warm at night.  I have food; plenty to fill my belly and keep me well.  I have fresh water that doesn't make me sick.  I saw the sunset yesterday and the sun rose this morning.  It's the little things that bring me back to reality.  What about you?  What are you thankful for today?

Here's an excerpt from a book I haven't read but that my mom sent my way this week.  I hope you find it as sweet and fragrant as a bouquet of tiny treasures.

As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way.  I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day.  Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one.  When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet.  Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart.  Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, and with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.

-an excerpt from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

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pictures / design*sponge book tour

Eight hundred and ten strips of paper later, the backdrop I created for the Design*Sponge book tour party in Nashville was ready to use!  Thanks again to the lovely Grace and Amy for visiting Music City USA and for making us feel so special.  To see more from the photobooth, visit here and here! 

And as a side note, regarding the glitter accessories seen in the pics--I have a love/hate relationship with glitter: I love the sparkle and sass but I hate the unending mess that invariably comes off on everything you touch.  However, my dears, I think I found the solution.  After glittering the masks and hats for the backdrop, I sprayed them with a hearty coat of Rust-Oleum's Clear Gloss and set them infront of a fan to dry.  Knock on wood, but I think that's the key, ladies and germs!  Let me know if you try coating a glittered project yourself and if it worked for you!

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DIY : herb infused olive oil

In anticipation of the holiday season upon us, I thought I'd share a little handmade, homemade gift that I'll be giving this year.  (Sorry Mom and Shannon.  One Christmas present already ruined for you.)

Grab the above listed ingredients plus olive oil and a container to hold your concoction.  (I picked up a package of two oil dispensers for $4.99 at my local Ross.)  Then... and this is the hard part... put all the ingredients the bottle.  I know, I should have warned you that this was a labor intensive present.  But who cares that it's insanely easy--it's also insanely good!  Now, who's bringing over the garlic loaf?

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VENDOR : porter flea

Let's start this week out with some fun news, shall we?

December 3rd, you can find lil' old Oh My Deer at the Porter Flea Handmade Market!  C'mon down to the East Park Community Center for holiday goodies from an array of vendors, offering everything from accessories to printed goods to flowers and clothing!  This will be a great opportunity to pick up some locally handmade gifts for those that have been good on your holiday shopping list.

See you lovelies there!

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