Wednesday 11 August 2010

Hello Wednesday, how are you?

Cleanish desk over here...the floor is another matter. Here you can see a cup of tea, my new ipod docking station(playing Romanian music as I type) and in the background is my new pencil box.

Warning, the rest of this post is photofull...but do feel free to stick around and look through them if you want to know how I made my pencil box, and more importantly why!



I have quite a few prisma pencils, also some karisma pencils, which are the uk equivalents. I have had the karisma for years and years, and sadly they are very hard to find now, so to complete the set I am having to mix them with prismas...this is bad enough...( I don't like that they aren't all the same style/shape)

but they were all in boxes in drawers, then to make life easier, so I thought, they were all put in one big box.

This resulted in lots of rattling, mainly by me, scrabbling around for the right colour, which is usually always at the bottom...I craft late at night, into the early hours...scrabbling and rattling at 4am is not advised. I generally hear lots of hmmphing and sighing and turning over from Ian in the next room.

So I got a few toilet roll inners, separated the pencils into colour groups and stood them up in the box. this was great , as in I could see all the colours, no more scrabbling...but bad, in that the box was a bit big and every time I so much as looked at it, all the rolls fell over, rather drunkenly!

PLUS...and this is where I give you far too much info about myself, the cardboard rolls were all from different brands of loo paper, and so were all different sizes. See next photo...



You cannot begin to imagine how much this annoyed me...this brings us back to liking things in sets!!!

So, firstly I unwrapped 2 rolls of Ikea wrapping paper, carefully rewrapping the paper onto a third roll, which incidentally is now huuuge! This gave me 2 long, white ,sturdy tubes. I cut them up into same size sections, immediately I felt much better lol I filled them with pencils and facebooked about how I had just spent an hour sorting pencils...I need to get out more!

It gets worse!



The box, if you remember was too big, so i hunted out a smaller box. This meant displacing some
silk dyes and glass paints, which I chucked into another box. I dare say they will lurch around drunkenly now, but they are in a cupboard so I won't see it happening.

I had to arrange the rolls in the box so they made a pleasing pattern...and not be higgeldy piggeldy, cos that would have driven me nuts...I know,I know!

Then I covered the box in this scrummy paper from Art from the Heart. at this point it is looking like a badly wrapped xmas present.



The box is slightly longer than 6 inches, so I was left with a gap at each corner.

I cut these strips, taking a snippet out from each end...



So they would bend over the box ends and fold over themselves.



I did this on all 4 corners and then covered the base of the box.

next I painted the rolls in the colour groups of my pencils. You could cover them in paper, but really hardly any of the rolls will be seen later...and besides it was an excuse to get painty. I suggest if you have small children that you get them to do this, it will keep them quiet for ages...worked for me, I have never been so quiet!



I painted a little of the insides, but only about a quarter of the way down.

next I got a couple of really strong brads, these are especially good as they have the little discs that slip over the legs before you open them out.



I cut a piece of brown webbing, about 50cm long, folded over the ends and bradded them to the box.


I popped some glue onto the bottom rim of each tube and pushed them down into the box, holding them in place for a few minutes till they started to set.

and finally filled it all up with pencils...



The handle swivels on the brads so you can move it out of the way.




No more rattling or scrabbling in the dead of night, all pencils are sorted into colour order...phew! and the whole thing looks quite pretty, almost makes up for them not being a complete set lol

70 comments:

  1. Fab pencil storage - sometimes you've just got to make your own! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. That box must have taken ages.great idea though.
    Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  3. looks great, but very time consuming. Fab idea...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolute genius love the box.

    Hugs
    Kay

    ReplyDelete
  5. love the pencil holder and all of the photo's such detail went into it and it is fabulous.

    The funnel on my desk is what I use to put the glitter used back into some really small test tubes that it came in (a paper cone just did not work)

    thanks for the snoop

    Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a FAB idea for storing pencils... my Prisma's are sitting, unloved, in their tin... ProMarkers stole me away from them LOL Tis nice to go back to them though .. and.. nosey moo I am but.. what is on the LHS of your desk??? Tall storage by the looks of it... do tell!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the tutorial on how to make something to store pencils in - fabulous - what a great idea. I too am intrigued by your storage (like Hels) on the left of your picture - looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the pencil holder fab tutorial too.Have great WOYWW...wednesday
    hugs judex

    ReplyDelete
  9. I completely understand the compulsion to make this 'just so'. I can't bear wasting time looking for what I want, need it straight to hand! Lol. Beautiful box, particularly like the corners on the base!! (How sad am I?!) Lunch lady Jan (Julia's pal)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh boy did your post have me giggling, i know all too well the A.M rustle being a night owl myself.
    I love the process you went through and the end result is just awesome, i love it...
    Happy woyww x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi ya Darcy
    great post & piccies, your pencil box is brill, what a fabulous idea, may have to borrow it, have great day, sue,x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Phew that was a lot of work I felt like I was doing it every step of the way, but rally well explained and it looks fantastic. I try always to buy Asda Shades toilet rolls - my fave, prefer them even to Andrex!
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow what a job you have got up to - but it is such a lovely box, I want my pencils sorted like that too!!!! Lovely work! I will send you an email later in the week - so glad you got the package - hope you can turn it into a bag or two!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks like you had loads of fun creating your pencil box there! I enjoyed making mine for my promarkers too - such fun! I too scrap in the early hours of the morning and in front of the tv at night so I know what you mean about been moaned at for rustling pens!

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOwzers ... that pencil box looks great ... a very lovely desk you have here this week!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awesome! Love the pencil box :)
    *hugs* Heather x

    ReplyDelete
  17. such a wonderful tutorial hun funny I too have been keeping my loo rolls,thinking about the same kinder thing it is brilliant though love it hugs cheryl xxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a fab creation and I am so jealous of all your pencils - Jacqueline xx.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hiya Darcy,
    lovely clean and tidy desk, love your pencil storage!
    Joey.x

    ReplyDelete
  20. aw, this made me smile, I love your pen bag/box! It's great, and no wonder your desk is soooo tidy!
    and and and!!! you were right, I missed the bit at the bottom, where it says comments over on 'pages' I now have comments there too, thank you!! Have a great WOYWW!!
    ((Lyn))

    ps...do you need any more loo rolls??

    ReplyDelete
  21. cool pencil holder.. use for all those toilet roll empties!
    Thank you for showing

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh, now THAT looks amazing! What a great way to organize your pencils!

    ReplyDelete
  23. OMGosh, Darcy!!! This so very much ROCKS!! I so love it...you know I love the recycled element too!!! Hugs...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Recycling is the way forward. My son makes all kinds of things with loo roll inners - I think I will pass this fab project to him for his colouring pens and pencils!

    ReplyDelete
  25. THANK YOU THANK YOU!! May your shadow never grow less, you have saved my life! I've just spent the last 4 hours trailing around Gloucester trying to find something to store my promarkers, then I visit your blog and the answer is right in front of me!! Hurrah for you! Just one question ... where did you get the DVD cases please???

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a brilliant storage idea!! And you made it seem simple to make too xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. FAb idea. Will have to have a go myself X

    ReplyDelete
  28. That is a FAB idea for your pencils....love it!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great post, enjoyed the humour! Your pencil box is fabulous. Colour pencils deserve a good home and your's have one!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great storage idea - I don't know how you find the time to do all of it.
    Linbyx

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love you this week!!!!!! I have been looking for a way to sort the pencils at school for aaaages (because the kids from 7 year old tend to throw them everywhere they can). I am sooo going to steel this idea (and get the kids from next year to paint them I guess). You made a teacher very happy this week! Thank you
    Have a lovely day! I will be smiling for ages after this post
    ** Evi **

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is a fab idea! Love the bit of the different sized toilet paper rolls, he he. I love full sets too! TFS!!!

    Hugs
    Maarit

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Darcy, I really had a chuckle. You are indeed a very patient person to make your wonderful pencil container. I know what its like to work next door to someone trying to sleep they get really humpy, its a shame I sometimes cannot sleep at the proper time and I end up doing this and that late into the morning, Oh what a life we crafters have ha ha. Have a nice evening. Big Hugs JO. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  34. Lovely tidy desk and what a fantastic pencil box :-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. That desk is deceptively tidy... you've stashed below for sure! I love it! The pen rack on your desk is amazing but your loo roll pencil storage is even better and more affordable. Thanks so much for sharing.
    JoZarty

    ReplyDelete
  36. what a great idea for storing yourr pencils
    hugs

    ReplyDelete
  37. forgot to add that if you'd like a pic of my Mad House sign... leave me a comment with your email (and I won't publish it)... i'll send you an attachment.
    JoZarty

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Darcy, thanks for such a great WOYWW! I love your box idea, may have to use this to make one for my Promarkers, I just cannot find a box to fit them all into, they either lay too flat or I cant see the colours, lol!

    Great pen rack on that fab desk of yours, thanks for sharing, hugs Heidi xx

    ReplyDelete
  39. Fantastic pencil holder/box! thanks for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Is there no end to your talents....that pencil holder is genius!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Fab bogroll box, thanks for your comments.....just getting a few more things to complrtr thr full sets !! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  42. Fabby dabby idea...thanks for sharing :)
    xoxo Sioux

    ReplyDelete
  43. Gorgeous desk, fab workspace, love the shelfs on the side on the side of your desk, fab storage idea. Happy WOYWW! Thank you for visiting my blog, and your lovely comment.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thanks for showing us how you made your fab pencil pot - I am quite jealous!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I'm with you on the everything in sets/evenly spaced and non-rattly! I don't have enough pencils to fill a box like this - but if I did I'd make one!!

    Happy WOYWW...Esther xx

    ReplyDelete
  46. Brilliant tutorial and such a fab idea....Thank you.

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  47. Loved your idea...time well spent. I am waiting on an order of 30 Derwent Inktense pencils at which point I will lose what little control I have over my pencil situation so I thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  48. What's the old saying, "necessity is he mother of invention". Quite a niffy job, don't think I would have the patience. I glad there are people that do or things would be pretty boring.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Darcy, this is the biz!! What a great idea - I did laugh at your toilet roll tribulations, though!!! Now, when are you making one for everyone else, 'cos none of us are going to go to all that trouble?!!!

    Happy Wednesday!

    Julie :o)

    ReplyDelete
  50. wow - Darcy this is brilliant. Well done - i bet you had loads of fun making this - did you do it all in the night?

    I wish i had the energy to craft at any time - let alone the night time!!!

    Hope you're well anyway, speak soon

    Paula x x x

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hello! Thats a brill idea Darcy that is! Great step by step pic's too, well done you! Brill.
    Lavinia
    x

    ReplyDelete
  52. What a really cute idea!!.. and my husband works at a TP company.. so we have all the rolls we want and more.. lol I should try to make something like this.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  53. Great box with really neat corners!
    Brilliant idea!
    Chrissie

    ReplyDelete
  54. thanks for letting me have a peek around your workspace and love your pencil storage..how clever made out of loo rolls....hugs kath xxx

    ReplyDelete
  55. What an interesting post - well done - very creativity and useful as well. ikki

    ReplyDelete
  56. ..and your OCD is happy agaiN! Loved that post! I'm with you though Darcy -no point having a pencil box if they all fall over etc, it would drive me nuts..and the loo roll sizes too, so we're different, but similar!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hi, thank you for visiting my new space. Love the pencil box & great recycling too. Will have to remember that one! x

    ReplyDelete
  58. OMG Darcy that is so cool! This proves that there is nothing wrong with your OCD as it makes you make stuff like this LOL. I'm going to find a box & save some loo roll inners :)
    C
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  59. Love your pencil box, might have that a go!

    ReplyDelete
  60. WOW I love the pencil holder its brilliant, Thanks for sharing with us, Love Hazelxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  61. You have too much time on your hands!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Kove the pencil holder sounds a very long drwn out process in the early hours of the morning Darcy!!! lol
    But at least you won't be stressed looking for the perfect colour thanks for sharing Chanelle xx

    ReplyDelete
  63. That pencil system is sooo organised, I am in awe.

    ** Kate **

    ReplyDelete
  64. Ooh, a childhood Blue Peter fan I see! Absolutely superb pencil storage though, think I'll start collecting loo rolls now! Wonderful post, thanks for sharing.

    Hugs
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  65. Great to see your workspace. I love your pencil storage!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  66. Great idea! I love this creative use of "everyday items".

    ReplyDelete
  67. I love your idea for a pencil box, so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  68. What a brill idea - on my to-do list!

    ReplyDelete