I’ve had an itch to make a colored pencil roll and the perfect opportunity presented itself.
After I received my sister’s quilt back from long arm genius Marybeth O’Halloran I immediately set about sewing on the binding. As I worked my way around the border I was truly touched by the detail in the quilting. Like tears in my eyes touched. Marybeth tailored the stitching to each individual block, a different pattern for each wacky block and the 9-patch. The appliquéd hands contain hearts between them. My youngest nephew Matthew’s hands have a heart at the end of a balloon string. The solid lavender framing contains its own beautiful design.
When I dropped the quilt off I requested a basic all over design. If you’ve ever had someone else do the quilting you know the difference in price between these two styles. Long arm quilters deserve every penny they charge for a custom job. It requires enormous expertise and takes a much longer time to execute. I needed a way to say thank you to Marybeth for the generosity she added from her heart to the quilt.
I like the 24 pocket version. The subtle difference of the pencil colors make for fun fabric matching. Sometimes I use a little artistic color license so I can work in a favorite print. Marybeth loves dogs so although that pocket is not a true Goldenrod, the cutest Corgi ever to be printed on a bolt of fabric makes it into the line-up. A few new prints got used too. Two from Joel Dewberry. True brown, I’m loving that fabric! And how about those Statue of Liberty images in true red? Thank you Marci (I must frame before posting her treasure of a swap box). My friend Jone Hallmark designed the little houses fabric. She paints her designs with hand mixed watercolors. I smile every time I see it. The exterior is a very fun Echino print.
Each fabric has a story behind it. Every colored pencil roll I make has 24 special little sentiments attached to it.
I love the colored pencil rolls too, but haven’t found an excuse to make one yet. Yours is just lovely.
This pencil roll is totally cool and so inspiring. I love how each fabric matches the colors… but with other colors thrown in there. I’m truly amazed and I ADORE it.
that is just so beautiful!
I love making these, and I’m sending my two kids to school this year with a smaller version. I love how you chose pencils to match the fabric – totally cool!
This turned out beautifully, and I love that each pocket is full of meaning and sentiment.
I think I’ll stick with making 8 pencil versions. Yours is really beautiful.
I think I’ll stick with making 8 pencil versions. Yours is really beautiful.
Love it! Tried your tutorial a month or so ago and I made one for a friend of my dauhters. I used a pack of the twistable crayons. Now I just need to make one for my own girls. All of the little girls loved it and so did the moms. Now I just need to make one for each of my girls.
That is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!!
What a great gift–to you and from you! I can’t wait until my nephew is old enough for colored pencils so I can make him one of these…
That is so gorgeous…what wonderful fabrics. It’s certainly to be treasured.
Margaret and Noreen at THY
wow. that is amazing! So Inspiring:) Thanks!
I LOVE! it! Many crafters have made crochet/knitting needles roll, etc but yours with those different color fabrics … such a creative touch!!
That pencil roll is absolutely beautiful. A wonderful gift for something so wonderful…your friend sounds so wonderfully imaginative and creative. That quilt is really something special. I am planning on making my mama a lap quilt, in case she needs to have chemo she can bring it with her. You are certainly an inspiration. And so is Ruth McDowell- I borrowed 2 of her books from the library including the piecing one…how amazing! Thank you again for the inspiration!
I love this — so simple and yet so pretty.
Wow this is so pretty and colorful! I should make one to keep my colored pencils in when I am on the go. I currently keep them in my sunglasses case I got for free.
Beautiful! Love the fabric combination!!
I’m so glad that I found your blog! I love all of your work.
Those are awesome. I want to make one!
The whole thing is just too cute. I saw the Echino while fabric shopping yesterday, and wished I had some kind of application for it. This is perfect.
I love, love, love it!!!
The sweetness. The cuteness. The most wonderful thing ever!
i would have never thought of matching the color of the fabric to the pencil. love it! and i love the fabrics as well.
Oh I just love your pencil rolls, Kathy, they’re so beautiful!
Very beautiful! Such a fun project.
Your projects are so beautiful. I love colored pencils and the way you have chosen every fabric to fit the pencil. Wonderful (again!). It makes me happy to look at it.
Gorgeous, as if a pencil case could be?
but yours really is!
Our kids have such pencil rolls at their school… they attend a Waldorf school, so we make them to hold block crayons on one side, and pencils on the other. Yours is gorgeous.
And the quilt for your sister… how wonderful she must feel to have all that love sewn up for her and around her shoulders whenever she needs it!
I have just discovered this blog and so I am probably the last to know about these colored pencil rolls! What a fun and fantastic project. I doubt I would ever have the precision to line everything up so straight. AMAZING!
BEAUTIFUL! I just sat with my younger kids this morning and sharpened 24 different colored pencils.. lol.. and was wondering if I should make a gift containing a set of those for my Mom who makes the most gorgeous drawings and watercolors.. so hmmm… is that why I sat down and looked at your blog for the first time in months?? lol… probably! My bookmarks had all been miraculously erased and I just didn´t spend that much time on the computer lately. So thanks for posting that right now! Too bad I can´t steal some of that gorgeous fabric over the internet just by copying and pasting.. ha ha.. I probably would!
The pencil roll is just fabulous! And the story of your quilt…..I think that the quilt will become a treasured heirloom!!
Great pencil holder – wonderful fabric choices as usual!
This is too great. DD #1 just saw this and wants me to stop everything and make one for her birthday tomorrow. I might have to oblige her.
) Thanks for sharing such wonderful blogness with the quiltdesigners group. You look so familiar.
my 27 yr.old daughter had a fit over the one i had made and she took it back home to portland, or with her this week. we upgraded the pencils to brush markers and she’s a happy artist! i love love your blog and your inspirations i receive from it. thanks a million!
I love this pencil roll, are there any directions for it?
This pencil roll is lovely!
Kind regards,
Sonnja, from the Netherlands
BEERTJE ZONN