Chuck Taylors

Around here, there is a little bit of an obsession with Chuck Taylor shoes.  If you were to peek into my husband's closet, you will see that more than half of his shoes are Converse high tops.  I wouldn't say that my husband or I have a defined style, but no matter what's on the weekend agenda, you will probably see him sporting his current favorite pair of Chuck Taylor Converse high tops.  

 old vs. new

It's kind of something I love about the Mr.  I will always have a connection of this shoe with him.  Justin doesn't care if they are the "right" shoe for the outfit, because in his mind they match anything...even a tux.  Some of our favorite wedding photos are our personalities showing through with his shoes and my vintage style dress and accessories.  

I can see it now if we ever have little boys, they will grow up with matching Chuck Taylor shoes!

Have a great weekend friends!

*Don't forget to enter my blog anniversary giveaway going on right now for a shop credit, essie nail polish and a rosette style hair clip! 

Pups and Weddings

photo from the blog: A Beautiful Mess

Source: jennyyoo.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Lately, I have been hearing more and more of having your pup be a part of your wedding or show up for  the reception.  Let me tell you, I love it!

As you all know, I am a pretty big dog lover and four years ago I liked the idea of having Miley come to our wedding so we could get some professional photos with her.  It didn't take long for us to realize that her 11 month old self was not fully capable of holding her bladder for very long, not chewing everything in site and slowing down to a speed below 50 mph.  So, we opted out. However, I think it is a great idea and a wonderful memory you could have with your pup.

Some of the exciting things I have been working on for customers are custom made dog collar accessories. I have had special requests for very large flowers, custom colors and custom made straps for dogs that won't be wearing their typical collar and leash at the wedding, but still needs to sport their Little Blue Feather bow-tie.

Wedding season is almost here and so many pups, just like his one below, are about to attend their parent's special day!  

Meet Remi.

Remi's mom is Cristi from the blog My Dog's Teeth. 
All photos are c/o Cristi.  

Now Remi can wear his tie with an easy on and off velcro fabric strap custom made just for him and his neck size!  This is something I am thinking about adding to my shop for an additional cost.  Now pups can match and wear this in addition to their collar and leash, or by itself for pups that behave extra extra well! ;)

Have you been to a wedding with the pup as a part of the ceremony, or would you include your own pup at your wedding?!  I would love to hear your answer!

Little Blue Feather Giveaway!

**This giveaway is now closed!***

Thank you to everyone that entered!!!

In honor of my one year blog anniversary happening this week, I want to celebrate by hosting a really fun giveaway for all of my fans!

This year has been a great year so far and I am really excited about the new changes and opportunities LBF is experiencing.  This little blog of mine has become a place where I love to share what I am working on, handmade items, my days spent with my camera, the everyday little things and of course, my love for my boston terrier pups.  Thank you for following me over the past year!  I love you all! :)

Let's celebrate!!

Little Blue Feather Giveaway:
{Now through Tuesday April 3 at 11:59 EST}




One lucky winner will receive all three of the items below! 




1.)  A LBF $30 shop credit toward any item[s] of your choice!

PLUS

2.)  A spring rosette hair clip

PLUS

3.)  A brand new bottle of my current favorite nail polish!!
{This girl loves nail polish these days} 

*Essie brand polish - Absolutely Shore* 

WOW!  All of that could be yours!  

Want to enter?

Here's How!

Giveaway Entries:

You have up to 5 chances to enter for this giveaway.  

For each entry, leave a separate comment on this blog post letting me know how you entered.  

For example, if you do all five below, you will have five separate comments on this blog post!   

1.) Visit my Little Blue Feather Shop and leave a comment here with your favorite item!  So easy, right!?

Additional entries:

2.)  Be a public follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect.  {click join this site on the top right hand side of my blog and become a member!}

3.)  Share Little Blue Feather on Facebook and include a link to this giveaway.  Copy and paste this post if you want!:

I just entered this Little Blue Feather giveaway for her one year blog anniversary!  She's giving away a store credit to her Etsy shop, a spring hair accessory and Essie nail polish!   http://littlebluefeathers.blogspot.com/2012/03/little-blue-feather-giveaway.html

4.)  Tweet about this giveaway using @LilBlueFeather and a link to this post!  Copy and paste this post if you want!:
I just entered this @LilBlueFeather giveaway on her blog!  A store credit, hair accessory AND Essie nail polish!  http://littlebluefeathers.blogspot.com/2012/03/little-blue-feather-giveaway.html

5.)  Pin your favorite item[s] from my shop to your Pinterest account!

There you have up to FIVE ways to enter to win my giveaway!

  

Good Luck!
*The winner will be chosen on Wednesday April 4 via random.org and will be announced on Thursday April 5*

Here are some of my current favorite LBF items for sale in my shop that you could win!  Check out LittleBlueFeather.etsy.com to see all of my designs and listings!

*I want to say thank you to all of my fans that have followed Little Blue Feather from the beginning and for all of your comments, encouragement and friendships you have given me this past year!  It has been so much fun to see my business and my blog grow and it's nice having fans follow me on this journey.  

Michelle

Favorite posts from the past year

To continue celebrating the one year anniversary of my blog, I have chosen a small collection of my favorite posts over the past year! 

Looking back has made me see how far my blog has come and also made me realize things I want to work toward this upcoming year.  When I was searching through all of my old posts, I was able to see how much my writing has changed/improved and I also found a few memories and forgotten posts as well!  Not to mention, my blog design has also had quite the adjustments over the past year.  

Blogging:  always keeping me on my toes!

*View my favorite posts by clicking on the text below each photo.*

Setting Goals

A hobby vs. a handmade business

Learning to slow down

Decorating for Valentine's Day

Oreo stuffed cookie recipe

Spring photography

Blog Anniversary Week!

This week, my blog turns one!  It's weird for me to think that I started this little space on the internet a year ago.  I have learned so so much along the way, and my reason for blogging has shifted to something a little more personal.

When I think back to the beginning, I started my blog because I remember hearing that if you have an online shop, you should have a blog.  This was honestly my reason for creating LittleBlueFeathers.blogspot.com.  I didn't really know what I was doing, I just knew it was a step in the right direction.

In the beginning, I read so many articles on how to have a successful blog.  I have read about how many times a day you should post, what blog designs best appeal to readers, how to gain more followers, how many new blogs you should check out and introduce yourself to each week....

...the list goes on and on...

Sure these were great suggestions, but for me, I have realized that this little space of mine can be turned into whatever I want, and whatever comes natural to me.  Writing has not always been something that comes easy, therefore posting every day is something I probably won't develop for a while on here.  And you know what, I have learned that it's ok.  I want my blog to be something really fun for me and reflect who I am.

This little blog of mine is not just to have because I am a handmade business owner that "should have a blog that goes with it", but instead to connect with others, fuel my creative side, share other passions like crafting and photography and to encourage me to do things normally out of my comfort zone.

Recently, I read this article from Pugly Pixel and I love what she has to say about sustainable blogging:

"When we impose a lot of rules on something that’s supposed to be fun (for example, by binding post topics to a rigid weekly schedule), we feel bad when we just can’t deliver...I realize that consistency is a requirement for blog success (whatever success means to you), but consistency doesn’t just mean posting regularly every day. It can mean posting with consistent quality. It can mean posting with consistent excitement and enthusiasm. And it can mean being consistently true to yourself and posting only when you feel like it."
-Katrina from Pugly Pixel

This week I will be celebrating my blog anniversary with a fun giveaway and some of my favorite photos and posts over the last year!  

Stay tuned!

Behind the scenes of our pup photo shoots

Stanlee's modeling poses

As I am writing this post, I can't help but laugh at how 90% of Stanlee's modeling photos look just like the previous photo.  

Yes, those are all different photos above; there are no repeats!

When I look at these photos, I am reminded of Zoolander.  Have you seen the movie?!  Derek Zoolander {Ben Stiller} is a model that is famous for his one look, and every "new" look he comes up with, still looks identical to his one famous look.  This is Stanlee.  Ridiculously good looking, but stuck 90% of the time on his one look.

Ok...back to the behind the scenes part...

Most of the time, photo shoots are a piece of cake with Stanlee.  I set up a little table against the wall, lay his blanket down and he sits still while dressed up and looking handsome.  People have asked me several times, "how do you get him to model so well?!"  I'm not really sure how to answer this question.  He's a natural!

Sure, Stanlee has some off days from time to time.  

 Some days, Miss Miley likes to jump in and steal Stanlee's attention because there is a racquet ball in the other room calling their name. 

And some days, Stanlee glares at me and then eventually just decides to lay down and call it quits.

Everyone has these days sometimes right?!

And don't even get me started on this little girl....

I can't even get Miley to look at the camera without laying a treat on the lens and even then, her looks are anything but happy and attractive.  Miley is awesome, so very funny and has a lot of character, but modeling will never be her thing.

Whatever the outcome, when the photo shoots are done, they always end the same way.  With hugs and kisses.

There has been a lot of pup modeling the past few weeks with new felt flowers and bow-tie fabrics to list in my shop.  Stanlee makes me very proud and captures the heart of a lot of my buyers.

Thank you to everyone that has sent over messages about Stanlee and his modeling.  He really appreciates the kind words!

*Do you have a pet that loves to model?!  I would love to hear any funny stories you might have ;)

Hello Spring

Yesterday I took the pups on a walk around our neighborhood and found little pieces of new life everywhere I looked.  I have been amazed by the awesome weather here in Ohio lately, but I am also excited for what it is doing to the trees, grass and flowers.

Everything is coming to life again.

This week I have worked with the windows open, the sun shining through and a view of bright green grass and growing flowers.

Today I took a walk, played around with my camera and took in all the beauty.

I hope you are able to get out and enjoy this time of year!

Happy first day of spring!

Welcome home Mac

Last Sunday, Husband and I decided it was time to purchase a new computer.  

Our old computer I bought preowned 3 years ago, and in it's almost 8 years of living it was starting to not work so well.  My battery life was about 2 seconds {ok, realistically about one hour}, the plastic was chipped, keys were sticking, the disc drive didn't work for years....

...you see what I mean?  

It was time.

As we went to the apple store to take a look {seriously this time and not just play around like we usually do} I realized something; we were just like five year olds excited for a new toy but stuck in adult bodies.  Isn't it funny how at 27 years old, you get so excited over a new "toy", but your toys now come with a hefty price tag and might be combined with practical uses and work?!  

Oh the adult life...

So, we took our new computer home with us for a few days, and then took it back into the apple store to do a data transfer from my old mac.  What.a.tease!  This evening, I was finally able to pick her back up from the store and it feels great to not only have her home, but also have all of my music, applications and photos! {25,872 photos....oh my....I have a problem passion}  It is actually a little hard going three days without a computer when you run an online store and blog!  

It was worth the wait.  :)

Sweet Tooth Saturday: Mint Oreo Cupcake Recipe

Do you remember when I told you I have a sweet tooth?!  Well, Mr. Sharkey also has quite the sweet tooth himself and because his birthday was this past week, I made a new recipe with his favorite flavor - mint oreos.   You might even notice that most of my other recipe posts on here include oreos; they are a favorite of ours and it's their 100th birth year.  I'm just helping them celebrate that's all...

Because these turned out pretty amazing, I am sharing the recipe with you today for another Sweet Tooth Saturday post!


Ingredients:
1 pack mint oreos
1 box white cake mix (+ ingredients needed for cake mix listed on the box)
1 can vanilla frosting
cupcake liners
**I am sure that homemade cake batter and frosting would taste better, but sometimes I just need to keep things simple.  I like adding ingredients to an already prepared batter, but if you would like to create these from scratch, just follow the oreo steps that would be added to your own recipe.**

1) Line your cupcake pan with paper or foil liners.  Twist open the oreos and place the cream side up. {save the top cookie pieces for the next step}  You will be pouring the batter over the oreo icing.

2) Prepare your cake mix as directed on the box.  Mix in the top cookie pieces left over from step one.  Mix well.  Next, take full oreos and break into big chunks and add it to the batter.  Mix slowly with a spatula so you do not break them into small pieces.  You want big pieces of oreo in the cupcake!  Trust me...

3) Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full.

4)  Puree 4-5 full oreos.  This will be added to the icing.

5) Mix the oreo puree in to the vanilla icing.

6)  Pipe the icing on the cupcake and you're done!

7) Eat up!  I recommend piping the icing on the cupcake while it is still a little warm and enjoy with a glass of milk.

Enjoy.

Have a great weekend!