Sunday, September 13, 2009

Halloween Project - Gravestones


I used the free Styrofoam I picked up in Arlington from a Craig’s List posting to create some new gravestones and to update some of my old gravestones.  I made approximately 29 gravestones with more to come; now I just need to paint and carve epitaphs into each one.
To make gravestones, it is best to use the 2” thick installation board that Home Depot or Lowes sells.  The 2” is better because it is thick like a normal gravestone.  Then you can use a hacksaw or a Styrofoam cutter to carve the gravestones.  You can find a Styrofoam cutter at a craft store, like Michaels or AC Moore.  If you decide to use a Styrofoam cutter, make sure to use it outside with a mask because it lets off toxic fumes.  The Styrofoam cutter makes it easier to carve the gravestones because it cuts the Styrofoam like butter.
To paint your gravestones, make sure you use outdoor flat paint.  Do not use spray paint because it will eat the Styrofoam. 
You can also use Gorilla Glue if you want to attach other pieces of Styrofoam together.  I used Gorilla Glue to glue on an extra piece of Styrofoam to the bottom of my grave to make my gravestones look more like a real gravestone.  Then I glued on boards to the bottom of my gravestones, which I drilled holes on each end, so I could use long stakes to attach my gravestones to the ground.

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