I just came out with this breakout board with a MAX7219, which can control 64 LEDs.
Connect 2 in series control up to 128 LEDs. Each has 8 registers which control 8 LEDs each.
I show it with female headers, and a IC socket. You could just as easily leave out the socket and solder wires leading out to your LEDs to make it lower height.
No resistors needed, the MAX7219 takes care of the multiplexing at 800 Hz and controls the current to the LEDs with a single resistor setting the max current. 15 levels of brightness control are available.
I have a short sketch that I will send out (& post when I get a chance) showing the setup and then writing to the 8 data registers.
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/
