tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:27:26 +0000sewingtutorialcrafty giftscreationspursebaby showerbaginspirationblog lovemarketsangry birds costumesbaby stuffballerinafashionhome decorPhotoshopPinterestaccessoriesetsy findsfabriccrafty readingelegantpaws designsembroiderygluten free reciperuffleswish listMadeit findsknittingoilclothpatternstwitterAdventures and mishaps in sewing and fabric craftshttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)Blogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-7951788025640736543Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:19:00 +00002012-02-16T09:46:14.987+11:00baby showerbaby stuffsewingThis year, two of my closest friends (who are also close friends)  both had  baby girls on the same day! It was lovely to welcome Vittoria Simona and Scarlett Rose into the families of two of my favourite ladies. In preparation for the arrival, both of my friends had showers, of course. Neither knew the sex of their baby so I decided to make a couple of things in the traditional http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-handmade-baby-shower-gifts-crib.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-8342841256522192062Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:06:00 +00002011-12-12T15:24:28.704+11:00accessoriesfabrictutorialHeadbands are so cute and versatile. I wore one constantly when I was on holiday in Thailand and Cambodia as they keep your hair off your head in the humidity and hide unsightly unwashed hair. Awesome. I think they would make cute and customisable stocking fillers for Christmas too. Before recently I had only ever made a couple of headbands in my time and they have been mostly for babies like http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/12/stocking-fillers-pleated-headbands.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-3527153784347675050Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:31:00 +00002011-12-08T15:58:26.656+11:00elegantpaws designs In preparing for my first market stall I decided it would be a good idea to start a Facebook page as another way to connect with friends and fellow crafty people. Since starting the page I have enjoyed sharing my sewing adventures with friends who may not get to see this blog too often and have found it to be a good way to meet more local designers and creators. It opens up a whole new way of http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/12/find-me-on-facebook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-8155646041693233649Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:59:00 +00002011-12-01T15:01:32.072+11:00elegantpaws designsmarketssewingWell, I made it! After many hours sewing, organising, planning, spending and stressing, I arrived at my first market stall armed with a table full of goods and a huge sense of accomplishment. Really, I can't remember the last time I put this much effort into anything so I was happy to have made it in one piece with my sanity (mostly) in tact. The weather conditions were not optimal- cold, http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/11/1st-market-stall-wrap-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-571045678909124684Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:42:00 +00002011-11-17T09:07:48.686+11:00home decormarketspursesewingI have been super quiet on my blog in the last few weeks as I prepare for my first market stall coming up in 1 week + 1 day. I have learned a lot from the process and thought I'd reveal some of these things in order to perhaps help anyone else there thinking they're ready to have their own stall: Things I have learned in preparing for my first market stallYes, booking yourself in for a market http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/11/first-market-stall-what-i-have-learned.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-871622664241587597Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:24:00 +00002011-11-10T09:14:42.914+11:00marketspursesewingToday I'm writing this post while away in Western Australia for work. With the market stall coming up in two weeks (argh!) the week long trip away wasn't exactly the best timing, however I have made good use of my spare time by spending 2 hours fusing interfacing to 17 sets of purse pieces. Now they're all ready to sew up when I get home. I love that the boring part is now out of the way and I http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/11/pencil-casesmake-up-bags.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-8279687924118164698Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:29:00 +00002011-11-06T19:12:00.956+11:00home decormarketssewingI visited Paris over Christmas time about 8 years ago and simply loved the city. It's everything you dream it would be plus a magic you weren't counting on. There's a reason the cliche about falling in love in Paris exists, but no-one tells you the love you have is for the city itself. :) Anyhoo luckily for me you can find all sorts of accessories and home wares to put a little bit of Par-ee intohttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/11/paris-fabric-cushions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-6230945006921760951Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:10:00 +00002011-10-26T18:10:00.368+11:00crafty giftsinspirationsewingI love the idea of only giving handmade presents for Christmas. Sewing gifts is one of my favourite things to do and seems to dominate this blog. I hardly have anything I've sewn for myself! Instead I have lots of pics and memories of people enjoying the things I've made them so that's pretty nice. :) Anyway, this year I'm not sure I'll have time to make everyone something, however if http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/handmade-christmas-fabric-coasters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-3787130664689652994Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:55:00 +00002011-10-24T12:05:22.033+11:00inspirationThrough twitter today I found a link to a lovely post by fellow Aussie Rie. She has started up a big craft blog directory for crafty people to share their blog and spread the love of creating around. I thought it was a great idea as I'm always keen to check out new blogs and now they'll be a convenient place to do this! I'm going to add my blog to the list and if you have a crafty blog (ie make http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/universal-craft-blog-directory.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-5778362990870063022Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:09:00 +00002011-10-21T10:29:48.200+11:00marketssewingI have been talking about having a little market stall for, I don't know, almost a year now I think. I am great at having 'ideas' for things then never actually doing anything about them. This is how this blog came about in the first place- it was an attempt to keep me accountable. Seems it's worked, because as the one year anniversary of my blog looms (!) I've decided to book http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-first-market-stall-what-to-make.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-8190349270704044847Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:18:00 +00002011-10-19T11:35:40.914+11:00angry birds costumestutorialJust in time for Halloween- An Angry Bird costume making tutorial! I have had a few requests for a tutorial and pattern for the angry birds costumes I made for my friends at the start of the year. I am going to attempt to put the process down for making the red, black or blue bird (basically, the round shaped birds) in as much detail as I can remember. If you've chosen one of the http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/angry-birds-costume-pattern.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-7784929606401773166Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:25:00 +00002011-10-11T10:16:35.123+11:00fashionPinterestOne day when I'm super good at sewing I'd love to make my own clothes. Lately I have been really drawn to retro and vintage styles, which is quite different to the jeans/top combo that has been the standard for most of my 20s. Must be time to embrace my inner 'lady!' I have always loved dresses and skirts for summer and feel inspired by all the lovely florals and soft cottons out there. There arehttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/retro-fashion-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-2980370467409046175Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:05:00 +00002011-10-06T11:24:10.551+11:00inspirationToday I discovered the work of a fabric designer/writer Tanya Whelan of Grand Revivial Designs. I stumbled upon her while looking up pictures of fabric on Pinterest, and didn't even realise she was the creator of one of my favourite fabric ranges called 'Deliah'. She has a new book coming out in December called 'Sew what you love' It looks like it has some really pretty and http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-sew-what-you-love-by-tanya-whelan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-8306123691548522206Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:05:00 +00002011-10-06T11:04:42.172+11:00crafty readingfabricOk, I think it's time I admitted I have a problem with buying fabric. I'll bet a few of you are reading this and slowly nodding as you think about your own heaving crate of fabric/wool/felt/beads/pretty paper or whatever else it is you guiltily hide from your loved ones anywhere you can.... I'm onto you! Here are some beautiful pics of fabrics I'd love to roll around in: Photo by http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/10/too-much-fabric.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-2935101118763187473Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:19:00 +00002011-09-03T14:19:00.185+10:00 Hello lovely crafty people. I will be on holidays in Cambodia and Thailand for the next two weeks so I will be decidedly absent from the Blogging Sphere! Happy sewing times, see you soon! xxhttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/09/holiday-times.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-787455925479884520Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:57:00 +00002011-09-02T14:18:32.248+10:00blog lovepurseI just stumbled across this fun looking purse contest on a Lemon Squeezy Home. Since I am a lover of purses and bags (mostly because I can't sew much else!) I think this would be a good one for me to have a go at to test out my creative bag making skills.... if I have any! The entries from last year were just gorgeous! From the top 10, I liked these two the best:  Bowlinghttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/purse-week-lemon-squeezy-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-8992715294608854381Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:04:00 +00002011-08-30T10:23:30.112+10:00fashionNow, we don't have any Banana Republic stores in Australia (that I know of....) but when a friend tweeted information about their Mad men collection available online, I at least had to check it out. The line was designed in collaboration with the show's costume designer Janie Brynat, and is 'inspired by the razor sharp tailoring and feminine silhouettes of 1960s style'. Here are some pieces I http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/mad-men-collection-banana-republic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-2305357205374170026Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:09:00 +00002011-08-24T10:48:56.053+10:00blog loveSince joining Twitter I have been exposed to more wonderful and lovely craft and sewing blogs than you can poke a knitting needle at. It has been fun flitting all over the interwebs looking, listening and absorbing what experienced crafters and handmade business owners generously offer and I feel quite inspired and motivated. I would like to highlight one lovely blog I have http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-love-heartmade.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-3640056122656502381Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:20:00 +00002011-10-06T09:13:00.895+11:00crafty giftssewingDuring this time of economic wariness, I feel less and less inclined to go out shopping and spending money I don't have. I still love giving presents though so it means I need think thriftily when it comes to friend's birthdays and other celebrations. So lately I have just been making presents instead of buying them and using sites like free pretty things for you to download super cute cards andhttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/sewing-gifts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-3172871262353427271Sun, 14 Aug 2011 05:22:00 +00002011-08-15T15:44:56.160+10:00inspirationPinterestTime for another posy of pretty pictures from Pinterest (try saying that after a few wines!)  Frilly apron Sunday crossbow Carma Carma Happy loves rosie Nana Company I adore the blue wallpaper with what looks like giant white doilies. The mint polka dot skirt is so gorgeous and effortless... I like the ric rac detail and http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/pretty-on-pinterest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-1860407601997147973Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:55:00 +00002011-08-15T11:50:16.403+10:00twitter After bagging out twitter for years, I have now discovered legitimate reasons for joining- connecting with fellow sewers and crafters! I have avoided joining Twitter in the past because I honestly thought, 'who on earth would be remotely interested in whatever mindless garble I have going on in my head?' I have since learned that Twitter is quite a powerful marketing tool and a fun way to http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/sewelegantpaws-is-now-on-twitter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-7500808770149469214Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:33:00 +00002011-08-15T11:54:25.048+10:00bagballerinapurseI have finally finished sewing 10 pretty things for ballerinas for my friend Kylie. She wanted a few special little things to give to the girls in her dance studio who were trying their best. You can read about how it started here in part 1. For this project I bought a few contrasting ballet themed fabrics so each piece would look a little different. In the end I made 5 ballet bags for shoeshttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/08/pretty-things-for-ballerinas-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-1638032224083892685Sun, 31 Jul 2011 04:31:00 +00002011-08-01T10:09:35.825+10:00baby showerPhotoshopIt certainly feels like baby season at the moment. Lots of my friends are gearing themselves up for the arrival of their sweet little bundles which can mean only one thing- bring on the baby showers! I loved being involved in my friend Mandy's shower and had so much fun making all kinds of baby shower decorations. So when my lovely friend Carla needed some help organising an invitation forhttp://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/making-baby-shower-invitation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-1130503575997807956Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:52:00 +00002011-08-23T15:19:52.526+10:00bagballerinatutorialI haven't had a chance to write up a sewing tutorial for a long time, and even though there are probably a thousand different tutes for making a tote bag in crafty cyberland, I decided to throw my own version in anyway. Blogging this particular tutorial is extra special for me for the following reasons: I photographed each step with my new Lumix camera (thanks dad and Karl!) I processed the http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-sew-tote-bag.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6509367682671937766.post-3931471608178321493Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:21:00 +00002011-07-23T10:21:00.229+10:00crafty readinginspirationI am feeling a little sad today because I have just finished reading an article I found on Handmadeology called 5 real dangers of quitting your day job by Jacqueline of Jacqueline Jewelry. Basically, Jacqueline outlines the reality of working full time on your online business and highlights the many pitfalls of trying to do this. Phrases from the article that have contributed to me http://elegantpaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspiration-needed-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Elegantpaws)4