Valentine’s Day

February 14

There actually was a Saint Valentine, although he probably didn’t have anything to do with the
celebration we call Valentine’s Day. In fact, no one is certain how the custom of exchanging
gifts and greetings of love on Valentine’s Day began. Many sources say the tradition started
with the Roman festival of Lupercalia which occurred in February. At this time unmarried
women put their names in a container. Unmarried men drew names out of the container to
see who would be their sweetheart. By the 17th century, it was a popular custom to send
handmade valentines. Today we still celebrate love and friendship on Valentine’s Day.

Mouse Pencil Topper

Create a mouse pencil topper to share with friends and loved ones.

Materials:
• 2 pieces gray felt - 3” (7.5 cm) square
• glue (white glue or tacky glue)
• black “puffy” paint (or a marking pen)
• narrow red ribbon - 10” (25 cm)
• 2 pieces red felt - 1 1/2” (3.5 cm) square
• scissors
• pencil
• scratch paper in the same sizes as the felt

©1997 by Evan-Moor Corp. 16 Holiday Art EMC 722

 Mouse Pencil Topper
Before the Project:
Practice cutting out hearts from the scratch paper before cutting the felt.

Tips:
A heart-shaped template or cookie cutter can be used to help younger students make the felt
cutouts. Have them trace the hearts and then cut them out.

Make these toppers at the beginning of February to use all month or make them as a
Valentine’s treat with a special note attached.

Steps to Follow:

1. Cut out two larger gray hearts and

two smaller red hearts.

2. Glue the gray hearts together.

a. Put glue on one heart.

b. Lay the eraser end of the

pencil on top of the heart.
Put glue on the part of the
pencil touching the felt heart.

c. Lay the other heart on top.

d. Pinch around the edges to help

them stick together.

3. Glue the red heart “ears” to the gray heart.

4. Add eyes and nose with the black puffy paint.

Let dry.

5. Tie a red bow around the pencil under the heart

mouse or put it on the mouse’s head.

©1997 by Evan-Moor Corp. 17 Holiday Art EMC 722