Haunted Halloween Tombstones

PROJECTS

Haunted Halloween Tombstones
Designed By: Frank Tompkins

Typical Project Completion Time: 2-4 hours
(does not include drying time)

With STYROFOAM* Brand Products, it's easy to add a ghoulish touch to Halloween festivities. If you're a shop owner, this eerie design can be displayed in a window, on the shop floor, or rented out as a party prop. For frightful fun at home, use the tombstones on the porch, in a dark corner, or as a centerpiece. Before you begin, review the Creative Design Tips below. They will help your crafting time go smoothly and enjoyably.

Haunted Halloween tombstones made from STYROFOAM brand floral and craft plastic foam will elicit shrieks and shivers from party goers and trick-or-treaters.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Shapes of STYROFOAM Brand Products:
1- 12" x 1" disc
2- 2" x 12" x 36" sheets

Other Materials:
Floral knife or serrated kitchen knife
Old candle (to wax knife)
Letter stencils (optional)
Straight pins
Wood burning tool
White craft glue or low melt glue gun
Square edged floral picks

Acrylic Spray Paint:
golden yellow
black
silver
flat white
light green

Assorted dried flowers
Leaves
Branches
Twigs
Spanish moss
Ceramic or real jack-o'-lantern (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut one of the 2" x 12" x 36" foam sheets into two halves, each 2" x 12" x 18". Using a waxed knife, cut a tombstone shape from each half. If desired, cut a cross shape from foam scraps; attach to top of tombstone using glue and floral pick.

2. Pin stencils to the surface of tombstones and trace appropriate letters with a wood burning tool; or, sketch letters freehand. Etch cracks, borders, scrolls and other design details freehand with the wood burning tool. (Always work in a well-ventilated area when using heat with STYROFOAM Brand Products. To avoid possible burns, do not touch molten foam with your unprotected hand.)

3. Spray letters and details heavily with black paint. Using silver paint, spray tombstones at an extreme angle to cover tombstone surface without filling in black details. For a muted gray color, spray flat white paint at the same angle across the tombstone. If a more aged look is desired, lightly spray tombstones with light green paint, again at an angle.

4. If black lettering and details have become hard to read, touch up with black paint.

5. Cut bottoms of tombstones at an angle; using floral picks and hot glue, attach tombstones to remaining sheet of plastic foam.

6. Spray paint disc golden yellow; attach to base with long floral pick dipped in glue at both ends. Be sure pick is hidden behind tombstones.

7. Trim base to desired size; decorate with your choice of Spanish moss, branches, twigs, dried flowers and leaves. Add optional jack-o'-lantern or other Halloween decorations.

CREATIVE DESIGN TIPS

Cutting: A serrated knife, hacksaw, floral knife, or X-actoŽ knife easily cuts through STYROFOAM Brand Products. Wax the knife blade for easier, smoother cuts. Sanding: For smooth, round edges, "sand" the foam with another piece of STYROFOAM Brand Products. For large pieces, cut first and then sand to the final shape.

Painting: Spray paint with acrylic paints. Enamel or lacquer-based paints may contain active solvents that can damage foam. (See paint manufacturer's instructions for details.)

Gluing: White craft glue is ideal for STYROFOAM Brand Products. Use floral picks or toothpicks to hold the pieces together until dried. For faster bonding, try a low melt glue gun; hot glue guns can be used, but they will melt a small portion of the foam. (Please follow manufacturer's safety instructions when operating a glue gun.)

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