The idea to dress up as a glittery purple cat hit me like a bolt of lightning, and before I knew it five of us were roving the French Quarter as a herd of cats.
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8388-700x525.jpg)
This was the most Mardi Gras house in the Quarter.
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8396-525x700.jpg)
We meowed, and scratched with our claws, and drank a ton of whiskey.![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8435-525x700.jpg)
I designed, drafted, and basted the suit before we left for our epic roadtrip, and then did the final serging, pink components, and fur accents on Lundi Gras in New Orleans.
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8413-525x700.jpg)
Originally the costume was going to be sleeveless (and therefore a little more roller disco), but I had to make several last-minute concessions to the weather.
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8403-525x700.jpg)
As it happened, Fat Tuesday was about 40ยบ and raining: unusually miserable weather, especially for March! So I added the mesh sleeves, and arm warmers, and had to wear layers underneath my sleek catsuit. Some of those bulges are a wool sweater that I managed to stuff in, and I was wearing a jacket for most of the day. So apparently I didn’t need to lay off the french fries.
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8426-525x700.jpg)
The mask is puff paint and rhinestones on tulle. I need to add a clear plastic backing so that it stands up, since I wore the mask over my glasses. I really enjoyed this technique, and will play with it more (word to the wise: this took about 3 days to fully dry).
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8412-525x700.jpg)
Can you believe the adorable pet tag?! Maria and Patrick made one for everybody, and mine is being stamped with “Sparklepussy.”
![sparklepussy cat costume, made by Julianne](http://madebyjulianne.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8382.jpg)
I really like this costume, but having to bundle up and still try to stay inside made it a challenge to have fun. I did catch a golden coconut at Zulu, and good friends + whiskey will get you pretty far in life.
I’ll have plenty of other opportunities to wear it, like Burning Man, and Halloween, and maybe the next party.