giveaway: chasing elephant tracks

Hello & Happy Monday! Just in case you missed your crack at winning a handmade bag last week, I'm delighted to report that I have another beautiful crafty friend to introduce to you today. I've known Steph of Chasing Elephant Tracks since forever, I believe. We became BFFs once upon a time at summer camp. Fast-forward a few years and we were roommates our freshman year of high school. That's right--no typo here. High school roomates. Ready for some crazy trivia? I went to a little Christian boarding school for high school where I lived in a dorm far away from home. I met Steph, hubs Jeff, and that awesome girl Beth there too. The idea of boarding school is a little weird, I know, but we all grew up to have cute etsy shops and blogs, so I assure you--it's not really that weird. And I've totally digressed. Back to Steph.

Steph's bags, wallets, and patterns are meticulously crafted and knock-your-socks off gorgeous. Her fabric choices look like a basket of Easter eggs on your computer screen, don't you agree!? Her stuff is seriously so fabulous that even Ty Pennington is tweeting her. I am so tickled that she agreed to do a little feature + giveaway here and sewed the cheery yellow Annabelle Handbag just for the occasion:
{Approximate Dimensions: 10" wide at top, 11"wide at widest point, 9" tall, 21" strap}
Bag has two inner pockets and a magnetic closure to keep things safe and sound
Fabric (swoon!): Kumari Garden

There are 3 chances to win this absolute gem of a handbag (leave 3 separate comments to boost your odds!)

1. Visit Chasing Elephant Tracks shop (and add her to your circle while you're at it!) then leave a comment sharing your very favorite item.

and/or

2. Leave another comment sharing some spring craft inspiration. Something you are making or just something awesome you've spotted lately.

and/or

3. Share a link to this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook and leave an additional comment sharing the link!

One lucky winner will be randomly chosen + announced on Friday 3.25!
PLUS: Everyone is a winner using this sweet little discount at the checkout:


Q|A with Steph:

1. What's up with the name Chasing Elephant Tracks?
When I was in college working on my degree in Creative Writing, my head was constantly filled with words and phrases. They jumped into my brain at weird times...while I was eating a sandwich, checking my email, talking on the phone... If a phrase popped in that I really loved, I wrote it down for a future poem or short story. That’s how “chasing elephant tracks” came to be. When I decided to open my shop, I looked at my list of oddities and this one jumped out at me. I loved the idea of chasing something that was bigger than myself; something that could take me somewhere I had never been before. That was what my Etsy shop was to me – a new adventure with an unknown destination.

2. Where did you come up with your sweet sewing skills and what inspired you to start your shop?
I have my mother to thank for the sewing skills. When I was in the sixth grade, she helped me make my first sewing project...a black jumper with a neon fish print. Yes, I really was that stylish. I wore it for my sixth grade school pictures and never felt lovelier, despite my uneven bangs and overactive cowlick. From then on, I was addicted. I adored the feeling of taking a yard of fabric and turning it into something I loved.

My shop was a product of my graduation from college. When I was done with my degree, I needed a new project to conquer. My shop gave me an opportunity to keep exercising my creativity on a daily basis.

3. Describe your perfect day.
Fried food. A movie. My husband. My pup. My sewing machine. Ultimate perfection…

4. If you had the chance to become BFFs with a fabric designer and have an unlimited lifetime stash of her designs, who would you pick?
If you take a peek through my shop, you will probably be able to figure this one out fairly easily. I must admit, I am madly in love with Amy Butler. Her patterns, her fabrics, everything.

5. Where can we find more of your work?
Unfortunately, right now the best place to find more of my work is inside of my little brain. I am currently back in school, so my sewing just isn’t getting the attention I would love to give it. After my August graduation, I hope to devote more time to my seamstressy pursuits and put some of the ideas I have stored in my brain into action. I would love to wander into the world of real, live, craft shows...but, we’ll just have to see where the adventure takes me!