So far it’s been a very wintery winter here in our part of Virginia. Some of us are loving it, and some of us (me) are freezing. I must say that looking through my photos from the last few weeks, it does give me a nice, cozy, wintery feeling. I just have to ignore my icy fingers.
I was at the ironing board the other night, pressing some fabric intended for a pencil pouch and Jonny made a comment along the lines of, “When my wife is struck with an obsession and can’t stop making pencil pouches.” He’s been there, done that, with various things over the past couple of decades. I do tend to get obsessed and a little bit single-minded. However, in recent weeks I have realized that pencil pouches are missing from the lives of many people whom I love and I feel it my duty to try and remedy that, one pencil pouch at a time. For those who have asked, here are some details: The pattern I follow (minus the tab) is HERE. The zippers (Amazon links are affiliate links) are THESE. And I typically include one fancy pencil, and a pen. I have been sewing them mostly from fabric I already had on hand, namely a bunch of Heather Ross fabric that I bought many years ago because Jonny and I wanted to sew a quilt together. (We never did.) I was asked where I buy fabric, and I don’t have one particular place because I haven’t bought any in many years. However, I did need to get a bit of fabric recently for pouches, so I searched ‘Heather Ross fabric’ and then shopped around. I am not a Heather Ross purist, but I do like her prints and that search was a good starting point for me.
One of the fabrics I purchased recently was a pretty pale pink linen blend with warm brown asters and I made a pouch using that on the outside and one of my older Heather Ross prints for the inside. It’s very cute, and I’d like to give it to one of you. (I wish I could give pencil pouches to ALL of you.) Beatrix and I went shopping for a used book to go with this giveaway and while she lobbied hard for Jane Eyre, I settled on this pretty copy of Middlemarch. It’s a wonderful and very long book. Perfect for getting through the rest of winter! I will confess that when I read it a few years ago I alternated between the book and the audiobook and that helped me get through it faster. However, it’s not a slog, and you may be just fine with only the book depending on your stage of life! I will also include a bar of goat’s milk soap and a tin of calendula salve.
**Thanks to everyone who commented! The giveaway is now closed and the winner (selected using a random number generator) is Heidi, who commented, “Your photos here remind me of the Little Women movie which is my favorite. A sort of haunting and cozy stillness. Beautiful. And as always, love your makings. Stay warm!”
p.s. Here’s an affiliate link to the pretty book pictured above (From Laurel Hill to Siler’s Bog). I am reading it now amongst other things. And I hope you noticed how my yarn matches the latest issue of Bird Watcher’s Digest! That was a total accident. Also, that winter blooming shrub in the top photos is witch hazel. It’s one of my favorites!
p.p.s. There is a soap sale going on in my shop as I make way for new soaps!
I love all the photos. That little grand baby!!! So sweet. I love your pencil pouches and would love to win one 🙂 Keep warm!!!!
We haven’t had much of a winter so far. In fact, my parents in FL have had more snow than we have (in the Midwest).
I made simple pencil pouches with the kids last summer with felt, but these might have to be something we try. Thank you for sharing your projects!
Always a delight reading about your family. I could totally hear Johnny’s obsession comment and your response.
Your journey is a joy to follow! I’m doing lots of knitting and reading this winter, with a little sewing and lots of soup-cooking thrown in!
Oh, I do envy people who live where there are Cardinal birds, what a gorgeous flame of color they are against the snow! Is that some of your own yarn in the photos? Looks like the boys are having a blast in the snow! I just checked out Middlemarch from our local library on audiobook (28 disks!), yep, it sure is a long one, but read by Juliet Stephenson makes it a double treat!
I always enjoy reading your posts.
Gosh, I’ve followed your blog for so many years now – since back when Beatrix was your littlest. Thank you for sharing glimpses of your life with all of us.
Love the photos, and the post.
Beautiful work as always, Ginny!
It’s not even February, and yet every cold, snowy morning when I walk our dog I fantasize about no snow, a warm breeze, and Spring flowers! The pencil pouches are charming and useful. I’d love to have one, especially one made by you. I’ve read your blog for many years – thank you for sharing your life and beautiful family with us.
Hi Ginny! I’m a long time reader and I find we have many things in common, from our age and number of children, to hobbies and love for nature! I’d be so excited to have a physical token from a kindred spirit!! Thank you for the opportunity!
Thank you for your beautiful and generous giveaway. I so much enjoy reading your blog and look forward to it each time it comes. The photos are always so beautiful and calming.
The pencil cases are beautiful ❤️
It has been so long since I’ve entered a blog giveaway!!! This one is so lovely – thank you for the opportunity!
What a beautiful giveaway! I love your creativity and generosity.
Just the thing to brighten up these dreary days! But spring will come!
As usual your post are a beautiful reflection on daily living.
Oh how lovely…I would love to win but am also going to try to make one myself!!! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Jill
From another mama of many who gets obsessive, thanks for sharing yours! I don’t think the, “uh oh, I’ve seen this before” look on my husband’s face will ever get old 🙂
Thank you for sharing the pouch instructions, I’m just getting back into sewing and this might be just what I need to create!
I love your pictures and crafts. If I knew how to sew I’d make a pencil pouch too. They are so cute!
I have followed your blog for many years and always get excited when I see a new post in my email. I absolutely love the pencil pouch and the fact that it is homemade by you makes it a million times better! Thank you for the opportunity to win one!
Enjoying the snow here in VA, but maybe not the continued freezing temps. What a sweet giveaway…thank you for offering it. I would love to win and send the pouch to my daughter who is trying to stay warm at grad school in Boston. She used to love pencil pouches when she was little, and I know it would bring a little sunshine to her day.
The photos of the birds are so lovely! We have been enjoying watching the birds too, especially as the snow drifts in. Stay warm and cozy!
…savor the simple things.
Your words…as I enjoyed your photos.
My sons are grown and their children are quickly growing up too. Beautiful memories of winter days, children loving the snow, hot chocolate, and all of us sitting around the fire to warm up as we read a good book! I laughed about you being so cold! Me too! Can’t warm up!
I love your pencil pouch! Along with pencils I would have a lovely place for my crochet hooks.
Keep savoring the little things…
Keep writing…so we can all savor!
Thank you Ginny!
Oh this is so great! We haven’t talked in years but I’m still following you and your journey. I’m so happy for you and your beautiful family.
Terribly exciting to be able to enter your giveaway. Totally happy to pitch in with postage costs. I am an avid reader of your blog and always find it inspirational and charming, but most importantly real. We all need more REAL in this modern world. I haven’t read Middlemarch, but one of my favourite books is Silas Marner, coincidentally I sent a copy of that across the pond last year to another blogger friend as I knew she would love it. Thanks Jean
Hi Ginny,
What a beautiful give away.
I came across your blog almost 10 years ago and made two of your Hackberry beautiful hats.
Your blog and photograpy is so inspiring, I to write a blog and love having a visual reference of adventures I do.
The fabric for the pencil pouch is so adhorable and I love that it has such history having originally been intended for a quilt.
I live in the Cotswolds in the UK so the Middlemarch book (which I have not read) sounds like a perfect way to while away hours.
I also only use natural soaps so your giveway is just such a generous one.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful world with us.
Sara
What a lovely giveaway!
Thank you for your kind giveaway and for sharing your beautiful family and life with us!
Thank you for the lovely giveaway!
Ooooo, a cute pencil pouch is just the thing. I’ll head to my sewing machine and my scraps and make one very very soon. Thank you!
I enjoy your blog so much. The pencil case is livrly.
Ginny,
Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway. The pencil bags are such a good gift for just about everyone. 🙂 I have read your blog for years and have enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing: Family life – the happy, the sad, the busy, the ridiculous, the scary, the fun, the hard, the messy, the love . . . all of it. Your making: soaps and salves, fiber dying, knitting, sewing. The books you share. (I have enjoyed several you have recommended.) The photographs – the beauty and wonder of all the small (and sometime big) things that bless our lives. And especially, your love of Jesus and the Catholic faith in the midst of everything you do. Thank you.
I hate sewing…but you have inspired me! It’s hard to find good pencil pouches, and I will be following those links! Thank you!
such a delightful winter pursuit! i went through a phase of making potholders out of up cycled scraps, and it was a delight to have a little project on hand that made such a useful and pretty gift… In the midst of so many ongoing aspects of motherhood that aren’t so easily “buttoned up” having tangible projects with satisfying start and end points do bring a special zing of joy!
I love Heather Ross fabric! Will definitely be making some of these pouches.
I so admire you and all that you do. Over the years, I have read books you recommended and knitted patterns you showed. I enjoy all of your posts. Thank you.
I must agree, Ginny… pencil pouches are the best and yours are beautiful! If my name is pulled…. yes, please! And thank you!
Happy Winter!♥️
Love the winter pictures ! We live in south Texas and rarely get snow but this year we did! Snow is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
What a cute pencil pouch! I’m not familiar with Heather Ross fabric but I’ll be looking it up now.
Hi Ginny,
I forget when I started reading your blog but it has been well over a decade maybe even 4 years more than that! . I still read out loud parts to my hubby and enjoy good laughs at your funny stories and think it would be so fun if our paths ever cross in this small Catholic world. Your giveaway is lovely. The polar vortex winter weather in the southern Midwest caught me wearing full hat, scarf and house coat over my Jammys to bed for days! Brrrr warmly, Sarah
Gorgeous!! Thank you for offering the giveaway. I’ve been meaning to read Middlemarch for years. And the pencil pouch is so sweet.
As always, I find such peace and delight in gazing at your beautiful photos that capture such special moments, as well as I delight in your writings. Thank you for making this world and my journey in motherhood and homeschooling all that more inspirational and delightful. Blessings to you and your family.
Very excited to figure out the pattern you use for the pencil case. It’s winter in Colorado for months so I know the feeling of you either love it or hate it.
Lovely, I adore Heather Ross fabric and your pouches are so lovely! Would love a little winter pick-me-up ❤️
Thank you for the chance to win one of your lovely pencil pouches!
I didn’t realize I needed a pencil pouch! Thanks for the tutorial link and inspiration!
Winter is so long and often hard for me, finding some little creative things to work on sure helps. Glad to see I’m not the only one! I’d love a little treat in the mail 😉
Beautiful
So fun! Here’s to thriving through the rest of winter!
So excited to think I could possibly win something from my long time friend!! Although we have never met I have followed you forever and admire all your hand crafts and knitting projects!! Love all your photos! Thank you for inspiring me to keep knitting and reading and loving nature!! God bless!
Thank you for the giveaway chance, Ginny! Your photos are lovely.
Also here in VA. My children are loving this cold wintery winter, and I, like you am freezing. Love your post as always