3.21.2011

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!

71 comments:

Unknown said...

I really like her cute wallets- they're the perfect size to throw into my clutch!

Unknown said...

I've recently begun sewing tons of clutches- not sure why, but they seem so springy! I'm looking for fabrics for a good tote next!

Cynthia Lee said...

I love the Melanie Wallet on her Etsy shop totally cute!! Love her choices of fabric!

Cynthia Lee said...

I have been slipcovering lately. Spring redecorating, making pillowcovers to spruce up the couch and the den and making slipcovers for the kitchen chairs.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

I LOVE her Handbag in Amy Butler's Floating Buds and Martini. So cute--that if I'm not the lucky winner, I'm going to take advantage of the coupon and purchase one for myself!

Megan said...

As for my spring craft--I'm throwing open the windows (on these beautiful 50 degree days) and sewing together some quilt tops. I have too much beautiful fabric that has just been sitting in my quilting room for too long.

A Place to Reside said...

The Annie Handbag in Robert Kaufman's Super Daisy Leaf and Kono White looks like spring!

Nicki said...

I'm loving the Robert Kaufman Super Daisy Leaf and Kono White material along with the Kumari Garden! It's hard to pick just one of her designs...but I am really digging the panneling look of the Annabelle Handbag!

Bryn said...

Eeeek! I can't decide, because I love them all. If I had to choose, I would say the Pixie Reversible Handbag.

Bryn said...

This one is easier for me to answer :-)

I am planning leading a group of girls through your wreath craft at a weekend bachelorette party up at a cabin, using bright, Spring colors!

Bryn said...

Posted to Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13924807

Katie said...

I love the Melanie Wallet in Robert Kaufman's Super Daisy Leaf and Kono White!

Katie said...

As for my spring craft, I am making outdoor candle holders by filling small mason jars with sand from the beach and wrapping thick wire around them to either hang or just sit on our table outside! I am also working on building a bean bag game set (corn hole) for my husband:)

a midwestern belle said...

I love the reversible pixie handbag pattern and the pictures of the bags she's already made! So pretty and fun!!

a midwestern belle said...

I'm excited to finally finish my modpodged ceramic tile coasters this spring. I've been waiting for warm weather to glaze them outside!

Mandy said...

i love the pixie reversible bag! :)

Mandy said...

i am wanting to do some painting this spring! i've found a few different paintings I want to try to recreate.

Anonymous said...

Love this post - and the boarding school story! So fun. My favorite item in her shop is the Annabelle handbag in Asian floral...lovely.

Anonymous said...

These are my inspiration this spring: http://www.bakeitpretty.com/products/Bashful-Bunny-Toppers.html - I ordered a batch and can't wait to top some yummy coconut chocolate cupcakes with these cuties.

Anonymous said...

Just tweeted the giveaway! http://twitter.com/#!/christyknutson

Amy Lee said...

I'm in love with everything, but I really love the Annie Handbag in the daisy leaf!

Amy Lee said...

Spring Craft!?! which one :) HAHA, I'm currently working on a bridal gown for the bride Bryn referenced a few comments back...however in my spare time, I'm knitting an adorable shrug for my infant daughters Easter dress, and making her a flower girls dress for the summer, including a beautiful flowered headband! Lots of springy things!!

Rosemariee said...

i like the Pixie Reversible Handbag in Amy Butler's Floating Buds and Martini!

bethany said...

Absolutely adore all of Stephanie's purses and wallets. She's so endlessly talented...I'm beyond jealous!

Currently, I'm diggin' on her "Annabelle" handbag, it's so sweet and pink. How could you say no to that? :)

Olivia said...

I love this one from her shop!
Also fun little story about your boarding school.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69622774/melanie-wallet-in-robert-kaufmans-super

Olivia said...

My currently projects are little spring/summer dresses for my baby girl! So many ideas are filling my head right now.

Unknown said...

It is hard to choose a favorite, but I really like the Annie handbag. I love the fabrics she uses!

Precious said...

I love the Reversible Pixie Handbag. She makes Amy Butler look GOOD.

Precious said...

I'm starting out the Spring sewing season by doing a Sew Along for "Forever Friend" T-shirts that will be sent to Japan in May. Found it here: http://3punkmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/sew-along-with-me-for-japan.html

I'm so excited!

Precious said...

I couldn't NOT blog about this...here it is:

http://nikkiscreativitybug.blogspot.com/2011/03/heres-hoping.html

Amanda said...

I never knew how much talent that girl has!

I'm digging the Annie Handbag in daisy leaf and white. Perfect for spring!

a midwestern belle said...

Just blogged about the giveaway!

http://www.amidwesternbelle.com/2011/03/week-of-great-giveaways.html

bethany said...

Creative task is currently learning French outside of class...does that count? :) Gabe and I are visiting Paris this summer, so I'm trying to channel my creative mind to grasp a new language. But given the German we took in said boarding school...it's been difficult. Somehow the language of love keeps doing a polka with the language of guttural umlauts, and it's just all very, very wrong, Jess!

As long as I master asking for coffee and chocolate croissants...I think I'll be okay. :)

paintit4u said...

I love the Annie handbag in the Daisy Leaf fabric. It's so cute! Thanks, Becca :)

billicummings said...

I love the colors and compact design of the Melanie Wallet. I'm hoping it's washable too. Great designs for great prices too.

Janelle said...

I love her bags - so fresh. I especially love the Annie handbag.

Jenny said...

I love all of Steph's stuff but my favorite is the green Melanie wallet!

Jenny said...

In honor of spring and in honor of finally owning Embroidered Effects by Jenny Hart I'm going to stitch up a simple wrap skirt and embellish it with some detailed embroidery from my new book!

Jenny said...

I posted about this giveaway on my blog!

http://everythingtrendy.blogspot.com/2011/03/not-one-not-two-but-three.html

lacycox said...

I love the bags! The fabric colors are so dang cute, perfect for spring!

lacycox said...

I am playing around with my silhouette to whip up some springy crafts :)

Mama B said...

im loving The Annabelle Handbag in Ty Pennington's Asian Floral and lace. The colors are perfect!

Mama B said...

My spring craft is making summer dresses for my daughter!

-k said...

my very favorite item is the Pixie Reversible Handbag in Amy Butler's Floating Buds and Martini

-k said...

my springtime inspiration are the colors blue and gold - all shades of of blue and yellowy gold!!!!!!!!

PangKatlyn said...

Pixie Reversible Handbag in Amy Butler's Floating Buds and Martini is definitely my style! :)

PangKatlyn said...

I'm working on these for me and family members. I think it would be a nice thing to give my family members for easter :)

http://adesignstory.com/diy-yarn-spring-wreath/

{eleise} said...

way to go steph! these designs are all fab!

ps. life has been so crazy busy for me lately (i'm sure it will just be even more crazy one the little guy arrives) so i haven't been able to stop by lately but i'm loving the new layout! i've been dying to do a blog makeover!

bethany said...

Spinnin' this wheel for a third time...shared via facebook! :)

Jen said...

Love the green Annie handbag. She has super cute stuff.

Jen said...

Spring is one of my favorite times to decorate. I found this cute bunny silhouette and it's for sure next on my list of things to make!!http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2010/03/framed-bunny-silhouette.html

Anneliese said...

the wallets are so cute!

Liz said...

I am absolutely in love with the patterns for her stuff. But I am with Amanda on this one, the Annie Handbag in the green super daisy pattern is perfect for summer! LOVE THAT PURSE! :) Thanks for the giveaway

Liz said...

Inspiration huh? Well I would have to say that I am feeling the itch to create something with fabric. Lately I have been dreaming about making a lovely spring-y quilt for our bed. Or maybe a great quilt for a lovely picnic on the beach.

Liz said...

http://twitter.com/#!/ElizabethWrena

twitter comment there! :)

Anonymous said...

I like the Annie handbag. Thanks for the fun giveaway!

Shannon said...

I like the pixie reversible purse! She has great choices!

Justine said...

I love the annabelle handbag but all are wonderful!

Justine said...

Lately I've been working on getting pictures up around the house. We moved in a year ago so it's finally time to decorate!!! I just recently made some pictures in the nursery using fabric from my son's bedding. I bought and painted different size frames. Turned out darling!

Kathryn said...

I love the The Annie Handbag in Robert Kaufman's Super Daisy Leaf and Kono White. The green is so fresh and I'm getting impatient for flowers. Spring's here, right?

Kathryn said...

Thanks for the chance to win! My spring crafty inspiration is to clear out the clutter and rediscover some of the fabulous items that have been hidden. I'm taking my surplus to a fundraiser tomorrow where it can be "new and inspiring" to someone else.

Kelly said...

I am quite enamored with the Annie Handbag in Robert Kaufman's Super Daisy Leaf and Kono White. So fresh and springy!

Kelly said...

I have a few crafts planned for this weekend, but I'm most excited about customizing a doormat with spray paint! Not sure yet what the design will be, but flowers are likely :)

Emily said...

Love the Melanie Wallet in Amy Butlers Martini and Garden Maze. So gorgeous for spring!

Emily said...

Spring craft...waiting for nicing weather but definitely want to paint a few pieces of furniture this spring. Can't wait!

On Second Street said...

i love the wallets. i have made lots of bags but never mastered wallets as cute as hers are!

On Second Street said...

oh, and my spring inspiration - i just picked up some cherry blossoms at Trader Joes. I can't get enough of those in the spring. (and I love forsythia too.)

Sharon said...

Love the Annie handbag-the green is perfect for spring!

Sharon said...

I'm working on some pillow covers for the pillows on my window seat. I found some great (d.well)napkins on clearance and loved the pattern, so here's to easy new pillows!

bahanson said...

I have to ask...did you go to ILC?