“ELECTRI-FRIED PUSSYCAT” PRANK

I’ll begin with a disclaimer. I love cats and mean them no harm! I based this project on the movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” specifically, the scene where Clark goes to check the Christmas tree lights. Unbeknownst to him, Aunt Bethany’s cat has been chewing the wires. When he plugs the lights back in, there is a huge short circuit and all that remains is a black outline of a cat on the carpet surrounded by a string of Christmas lights. Cousin Eddy proclaims: "If that thing had nine lives, he just spent 'em all."

This project replicates the cat outline and makes a great prop that will last from Halloween right through the Christmas Holidays. (Or, all year!) No cats were harmed in the process.

Materials

Black utility carpet-24”x36”

Silver glitter ribbon-1” wide x 12’ approx.(or, fuzzy yarn, string, jute rope etc. Any kind of cord material to create a defining border.)

Cardboard-12”x16”

String of coloured battery operated lights

2 AA batteries

Light coloured marker

pdf of cat outline

Tools

pencil

eraser

straightedge- (ruler or square)

heavy duty scissors

glue gun, glue sticks

Download the pdf. Use pencil and straightedge to measure and draw a grid with 2.5” squares on the cardboard. Draw the 1/2- cat outline on the grid. You may have to make changes, so erase and re- draw until you are satisfied with the shape. Cut it out using scissors.

Place your cardboard template in the middle of the underside of the carpet. Trace around it with the marker. Flip it on the centre line and trace around it again so you have a full flat cat profile. Put the tail template in place and trace around it as well. Now carefully cut it all out using the scissors.

Hot glue the ribbon ( yarn, string etc.) fringe around the outside (underside) edges so some of the width extends beyond the carpet edge creating a defining border. Place the battery box in the middle of the underside. Hot glue it in place so it can be opened to install and replace the batteries.

Install the batteries. Wrap the light string around the cat loosely, flip it over, carpet side up, and turn it on. Put it in a conspicuous place on your carpet and wait for the reactions.