(^1) Create your pattern from the cardstock. For a large mousie,
draw and cut a 4^1 ⁄ 2 -inch square. For the small mousie, draw and cut
a 3-inch square. On three sides of the square, mark the center point
with a dot. Using a pencil and ruler, connect the dots to form an up-
side-down “V.” Cut along these lines. This will remove two corners,
creating a shape that looks like the silhouette of a house (see center
photo, below). Use this pattern to cut the faux fur.
(^2) For the large mousie, take one bottle cap and fill it a little more
than halfway with dry rice, then place the other bottle cap on top
and secure them together with a rubber band. For the small mousie,
cut a 1^1 ⁄ 2 -inch section from a large drinking straw, wrap tape around
one end of the straw, and fill it halfway or less with rice. (You can
test your shaker for your preferred sound before sealing.) Tape the
other end to contain the rice. Attach the tail to the shaker. I tie it to
the rubber band, or tape it to the straw.
(^3) Flatten and slightly stretch the cotton ball and place the catnip
in the center.
(^4) Wad the cotton ball around the catnip and place on the shaker.
(^5) Wrap the batting around the shaker and the cotton ball.
(^6) Sew up the seam and the ends of the batting to encase the
shaker. (This will protect your kitty’s teeth.) The tail should be stick-
ing out one end.
(^7) Fold your faux fur (previously cut into the shape of a house) in
half, furry side in, along the long center point.
(^8) Holding the short (non-angled) sides together, sew along the
short edge to produce a tube.
(^9) Turn the tube right side out and stuff the batting into the cen-
ter, leaving the tail hanging out the end opposite the point.
(^0) Fold in the edges of each end and whipstitch both openings.
For extra padding, you can fold the point up and tuck it in before
stitching this end closed.
Your mousie is now ready for play. Shake, rattle, and throw for
your cat to capture!
Blythe Pelham
Leesburg, Ohio
DIY ‘Mousie’ ToyDIY ‘Mousie’ ToyDIY ‘Mousie’ Toy
WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM 83
Country Lore Readers’ Tips to Live By
Add a little zip with some dried catnip: Place a pinch of this feline favorite into your mousie components to jazz up this special cat toy.
O
ne of the great joys I have in gardening is preserving herbs
for use during restful winters. At the top of my must-have
list are mint and chamomile for morning tea. My cats’ favor-
ite is catnip, which I use to create “mousie” toys.
This is a fun, quick, and easy project to do with children. I heart-
ily recommend it as a way for them to create something for their
own cats or as gifts for others. Warning: Don’t do this with your cats
nearby! You may have to track down stolen mousie parts to complete
the project.
I’m sharing the dimensions for two sizes of mousie. The larger
size may be easier for children to make. My cats will play with both
sizes, but prefer the smaller version. To make your own, you’ll need:
- Cardstock
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Faux fur fabric
- 2 bottle caps or plastic straw
- Dry rice for rattle
- 1 rubber band or tape
- 5-inch leather cord for tail
- Cotton ball
- Pinch of dried catnip
- 2^1 ⁄ 2 -by-5-inch piece of bat-
ting - Needle and thread
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