Wednesday, January 5, 2011

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!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

They are great! Really funky and fun :0)

You'll have a blast with your nieces decorating those bags - have you got one to decorate too?

Unknown said...

OMG I'm in love!
I LOVE colours!

Catherine said...

AWESOME!!!! Oh I do wish I had an Aunt like you!! You sure know how to have a good!

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Those are beautiful! I have to make some of these...I have two little girls who I think would appreciate them very much. ;)

Marty52 said...

Brilliant execution... I love the colors!!! You have such lucky nieces. :)

Lynn said...

sigh~another reason to wish that I knew how to sew on a machine.

I love how the fabric color coordinates the color of the pen.

Judy S. said...

Nice! I can't wait to get my machine back; it's being checked before the warranty expires. Think I might try this for my dpns!
Love those black dots. They set off the colors so well. It'll be fun to see the finished bags. You have the best ideas!

Maureen said...

A great project Susan! This summer when I can't stand the heat outside I think I'll add this to my "to do" list! You did a lovely job on them.

Balbina said...

Your blog is amazing I watched the whole. Embroidery, a beautiful, wonderful. You have a new fan. Regards from Polish.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

O this was a cool idea and I absolutely love the way you color co-ordinated the strips to match the color of pens inside.

Great idea for the totes too!!

Emerald Window said...

I'm making something similar for my daughter's knitting needles.
Cenya

Sonja said...

They look amazing Susan I will have to have a go. I was also looking at your giving purse again, and a friend of mine was making comments about her own bag. Must have been designed by a man, with no specific places to put stuff, so I thought I would make her a birthday gift of a bag she could manage. She is going blind. Do you have any tips on stiffening the fabric or do you do a tutorial that I might follow. Thank you again for the most informative and thought provoking blog. Fantastic.

Vicky aka Stichr said...

when i come over with my adoption papers, i will suggest trying to fold the top part over the pens and velcro-ing it?? or maybe adding a flap of clear vinyl stitched to the top?? i even have the vinyl, i can bring it with me!!!!

Terry said...

All thoes brights juxtaposed with the black spots A zingger!

As said here CooooL (lots of elongation on the o's) Everything old is new again.

Enjoy the tote party

Createology said...

What a wonderful gift idea! Your pencil/pen rolls are fabulous. I love the idea of the canvas tote to hold everything and they get to embellish with you. Memories will be made for certain. Happy creating...

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