Dr. Seuss's birthday is March 2nd and I am excited to celebrate Read Across America Week with easy DIY Pencils Thing 1 and Thing 2 and fun toppers. Made with one of my favorites, Kunin Felt, the Brilliant Blue is a perfect match to the Cat in the Hat book. SCORE! I recently spent some time in Suess Landing with my crafting bestie Laura from Laura Kelly Designs and was able to snap some awesome photos.
DIY Pencils Thing 1 and Thing 2 a 15 Minute Craft
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Here's what you need to make DIY Cat in the Hat Pencils with Toppers:
- Pencils, Red – Dollar Tree (I scored 12 for just $1.00)
- Wiggle Eyes – Dollar Tree
- Black and White Bakers Twine – Dollar Tree
- Tombow Dual Brush Pens – 856, 452, N15
- MONOTWIN Permanent Marker from Tombow
- Tombow Mini Power Adhesive Runner
- Kunin Classics Felt Craft Sheets (9” by 12”) – Brilliant Blue
- Cardstock, White
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (or Liquid Craft Glue)
- Scissors – I love my Fiskars!
- Ruler
- Paper Trimmer
- Dr. Seuss Beginner Book Collection
Here's how to create Dr. Seuss Toppers for Pencils:
STEP ONE
To begin DIY Pencils Thing 1 and Thing 2, gather all supplies. Measure strips of Brilliant Blue Kunin Classics craft felt 2.5” wide by 9” long using a ruler and the MONOTWIN Permanent Marker. Cut out with scissors, remembering to cut inside the traced line for a clean, finished project.
STEP TWO
Cut fringe along the length of each Brilliant Blue Felt strip with scissors, leaving a one-inch solid border along the opposite edge. Measure and cut the fringed strips into 3” sections. If you cannot find red pencils, you can purchase regular no.2 pencils and paint them red with Americana acrylic craft paint in Country Red.
STEP THREE
Apply a bead of glue from a glue gun along the short and long edge of the Brilliant Blue felt fringe and attach it to the eraser end of the pencil. Roll the fringe onto the pencil tightly. Apply additional glue on the second short edge, and finish rolling the fringe. Attach two wiggle eyes to the blue felt fringe with a glue gun and glue sticks. TIP: Pour out small craft supplies like wiggle eyes onto a paper plate, and then pour back into a plastic zipper bag when done.
STEP FOUR
Measure and cut strips of white cardstock 1/2″ by 8 1/2″ with a paper trimmer to create flags. Fold the strip in half around the pencil, to find the center. Hand letter the quote “Why fit in when you were” on the left-hand section with the bullet tip of Dual Brush Pen 452, and “born to STAND OUT” on the right-hand section with Dual Brush Pen 856. Cut a triangular notch from each end of the flag and then outline each quote with Dual Brush Pen N15, using a loose sketchy style.
STEP FIVE
Apply Mini Power Adhesive to the back of the flag. Line up the cardstock around the top of the pencil and attach both sides together to create the flag. To finish the Thing 1 and Thing 2 Pencil Toppers, measure and cut a 20” length of black and white baker's twine, and tie in a bow around the top of the pencil.
Dr. Seuss DIY Pencils Thing 1 and Thing 2 Toppers
DIY Pencils Thing 1 and Thing 2 with Toppers are a fun activity to keep the kiddos busy with counting, cutting, and motor skills. When you twirl the pencil in between your hands, the hair gets wild just like Thing 1 and Thing 2. I love the Cat in the Hat book and those things are such a mischievous pair! Get your young readers started with this must-have collection of Dr. Seuss Books!
My crafty bestie, Laura, and I are celebrating Read Across America Week together. Click through to check out her How to Make Dr. Seuss Cupcakes Thing 1 and Thing 2. She has made cupcakes two ways and has a ton of FREE Printables to go with them! Such fun we shared recently at Seuss Landing in Universal Studios!
More Dr. Seuss inspiration can be found sprinkled throughout my website, and Laura's! See what my upcycled Cat in the Hat Pencil Holder is made from. And check out Laura's My Many Colored Days Color Activities, a great way to get the kids engaged in reading! Colorful Pom Pom Love Bugs are inspired by Thing 1 and Thing 2!
Sharing is care, so pin this project for later!
Thanks for stopping by!
These pencils are a hoot! They look so fun. I need to make them for my grandkids! Thanks so much for sharing this at our Party in Your PJs link party.
How cute! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thanks for hosting a great Linky Party, Cecilia!!