The World's Prettiest Pencil Rolls

For present giving, my family exchanges names by family. This year, Jim, Jack and I selected my brother Mark and his four girls.

I fell in love with this pencil roll pattern a couple of years ago when I saw it on Kathy Mack's blog, Pink Chalk Studio and this was the year to pull it out and make it.

I wanted to give my nieces "project" bags for when they travel or go from house to house. For me, the most important bag I pack is the one with my book, my projects, my iPod and a journal and pens.

I made four of them. The two younger girls got colored pencils and coloring books. The two older ones got gel pens with two of those subversive journals by Keri Smith...Wreck this Journal and This is NOT a Book.

I highly recommend making more than one pencil roll at a time. If you're going to be strip piecing and selecting the fabrics, you might as well get some efficiencies by making multiples at once.

The pattern was absolutely great to use. The next one I make will be the 24-slot version with a flap. I opted not to make the flap for the girls and I did notice that the pens slip out if dumped upside down --- A-ha! That's why the pattern included an optional flap!

I found these cool peace sign beads and sugar skull beads at my local beading store...

They made the perfect ending for the ribbon which secures the roll closed when wrapped around a button.

Loved loved loved this pencil roll. Thank you Kath Mack!

You can purchase the pattern at Kathy's online store, Pink Chalk Fabrics. And, if you've never been there, you're in for a treat. There's lots of wonderful ideas and fabrics to explore.

The girls will be coming over in the next few weeks to embellish their canvas totes.

I'm looking forward to that day. I had originally considered embellishing the bags myself but have learned over the years that the girls have lots more fun, and, end up with something they love more, if we do it together.

Happy stitches everyone!