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!
Ginny your photos are always so wonderful. They convey the nature around you and the family life that’s around you too. Lovely. Many years ago I purchased some of your hand dyed yarn. I still have the hat I made with it and wear it often. Thank you for giving us a chance to win.
Oh Ginny… those pencil pouches are so beautiful and can I say it-just plain fun!! I have always loved pencil pouches to hold things in my purse. (chapstick, my favorite journaling pen, double pointed needles, ponytail holders for my little granddaughters and gum) they are great for their intended use as well-my colored pencils and markers. Thank you for the pattern!! What fun!
Hi Ginny,
I’m another silent follower and love reading your posts! The pencil case is beautiful and I would love the chance to win it! Thank you so much!
Lesa from Massachusetts
Your pictures are so cozy & beautiful! We have been enjoying the snowy winter here in Maryland as well.
I think the pencil cases would be lovely for knitting and crocheting bits and bobs as the English say. I’m forever doing a project and putting my accessories in something for that particular project. The fabric is pretty. I will look these up on line. Stay cozy.
I love the pouches! Thank you for the giveaway:)
Emily
They are beautiful pouches and I would love to be considered in your give away. We are in sweltering Australia and I am looking at your snow very enviously!! And I would be so happy to pitch in for postage costs.
How lovely & so generous!
I adore such smart & practical things ❤️
Your pictures are beautiful. And I absolutely love your pencil pouch. That fabric is gorgeous. You’re a great seamstress.
I am so glad that you continue to blog after all of these years. I love getting a glimpse of Virginia, it will always be my home even after living away for many years.
Thank you, your posts always make my day.😊🩷😊
I too am a fan of your bird photos, and I love your pencil pouches. I am tickled that you encouraged international folks to comment. I am certainly not international, but the thought of someone, very far away, hoping for a pencil pouch gives me a warm feeling.
And that is a good suggestion from one of your readers – to add pencil pouches to your store.
Happy Winter! Stay warm!
Your bird photos are so lovely:)
Fabric shopping online is so difficult – and yet it’s often the only way! I am tucking away the idea of using a favorite designer as a starting point…
oh, those pouches are terrific! I followed your link to the pattern and had to step away, I know it would suck me in. I imagine adding an elastic strap to secure it to the front of a journal so I could have journaling supplies attached to the book. And then all my sisters would get one for Valentine’s Day, and…
I am jealous of all your bird photos. Once upon a time, I enjoyed taking bird photos so much. This was when I had a big, sliding door window onto a second story porch hugging the woods. Now, we live on farm. With farm cats. I feel too much guilt at luring unsuspecting songsters to their demise to keep a bird feeder. 🙁 I adore the photo of little son and granddaughter on the bed… him doting on her. I’d love for a chance at the giveaway. Thanks! And Happy Winter!
Gorgeous all around!
You have many talents and are a loving mother, wife, and friend.
Thank you for the chance to win the pencil pouch.
What a beautiful giveaway. I love your pencil pouches and how you gifted them at Christmas. I am inspired. I may start with some simple bookmarks and work my way toward a pouch. I have had Middlemarch on my TBR list for a while now. I like how you are suggesting it as a winter read. I may need to give it a go. Thank you for your beautiful blog posts. We are in southern Pennsylvania so I am feeling the cold as well. Lots of hot tea and hot water bottles on rotation. Stay warm!
Love the pencil pouches. It reminds me of being a kid growing up and transporting them to and from school with one. As always, I love seeing your pictures.
Hi Ginny, I am so grateful for the chance to win some of your beautiful creations!! Being a huge Jane Eyre fan, I have to agree with Beatrix, however I never read Middlemarch and am looking forward to it(hopefully)!
Ooh so exciting to enter your sweet giveaway! Have been following your blog for years, Ginny! One of the great ones left out there. Xo
I love your pencil pick. Thanks for the opportunity.
Oh My …..
Thank You !!!!!
I have been looking at your pencil pouch since you first posted and I adore it !!!!!! I would love to sew one, but just not master a zipper !!!!! So Thank You so much for a chance to win one :0) It is lovely !!!!!!!
A very cozy post, indeed. I’m just a bit south of you in NC, and it’s been freezing here too. Thanks for the giveaway and the sources for your pattern and zippers. I’m going to stitch some up to send to my family for valentines!
It is interesting to see how different Witch Hazel can be. Up here in the Northeast GA mtns, it blooms bright yellow.
The Virginia version is quite beautiful!
Love&light to you and yours
Would love this, thank you! I always enjoy your beautiful photos and leave your blog inspired.
What a lovely and generous giveaway. Thank you for always sharing
Beautiful… like everything you do!
Beautiful photos! And the pencil pouch is really lovely.😊
Nothing better than a photo of a cardinal in winter! Thanks for the chance to win a lovely giveawya.
Your soaps are amazing!
What a lovely gift!
Your photos in this post do invoke a winter cosy feel. So welcome after the long and unreasonable cold we’re just coming out of in the Atlanta area.
I would love to win one of your pencil pouches and would be glad to pay the postage as I live in Canada (British Columbia). Your photos are always enjoyable and your stories of your family life. We have been enjoying lovely sunny, but very cold weather for us here on southern Vancouver Island. And it is predicted to get colder next week. No snow for now and hopefully, none this year. Sometimes we get some in February, but even though it is cold, the bulbs are pushing through and there are some exuberant Japanese cherry blossoms colouring some of the trees.
Love the pencil pouches. I use them for my applique work. Love the colors in your yarn project
I love the witch hazel pictures! I love witch hazel in general, but you captured it especially beautifully. 🙂
These are so lovely! I’m always happy to see your new posts.
I always enjoy reading your posts!
Thank you for a chance to win. The pencil pouches are lovely.
You’re so sweet to offer a giveaway to help us get through the winter 🙂
I await your blog posts . Thank you for the pattern link.
Your photos give me all the cozy winter vibes! I have always loved how you photograph your yarn and books! Best of luck keeping your fingers warm until spring!
Don’t usually comment but I love keeping up with your life–thanks for the chance to win.
It’s a beautiful pouch! Thank you for bringing so much beauty to my inbox for all these years. I’m a long time reader and customer of yours and I’m grateful for all you do.
I love your posts. And reading about the family. All the best to you.
Looks like the comment I left from my phone did not take. I am not a frequent commenter but I am a die-hard reader of your blog. What I love most is the beautiful simplicity of a life well lived. Although I am sure that it doesn’t feel like calmness on your end of this sharing, it seems to radiate to the reader from your postings.
It’s always good to see your posts Ginny and this one has a giveaway too. Try to keep your hands warm with a good mug of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Hang in there, Spring is on it’s way.
Richard in Southeast North Carolina
The pouch is so cute and such a wonderful idea- it seems we write less and less nowadays so having a cute pouch may help . Thank you for sharing your life with us.
The pouch is lovely and I would love to receive one. Thank you so much for this generous offer.
I adore your style of blog posts! Beautiful pictures, humor, links to your favorite things and inspiration. I pinned your post on pencil pouches the other day but I think I will need to pin this one too with the helpful info. 😊
That fabric is really lovely Ginny? You should add selling pencil pouches to your repertoire 😉