Weekend Project: Easy, Funny Halloween Tombstones
Many times when I am working on a new project without the support of a materials list or instructions, I find myself feeling somewhat helpless. What starts out as a great idea can evolve into a bit of a nuisance, leaving you wanting to ditch the project altogether. Multiple trips to the hardware store aren’t uncommon, and the original funding constantly seems to head out the window.
It is for all these very reasons that I love doing jobs that are simple, stress-free and best of all, cheap. Taking a break from jobs that require a great deal of attention to detail is a massive relief, and having the ability to find all the necessary stuff in the garage is much better. Feeling the need for a project that fit these parameters, I decided to make a set of DIY Halloween tombstones. They turned out to be the perfect weekend project, and I would encourage anybody with children to allow them in on the fun too. It is a great project for the entire family and one that you can reuse for years to come.
More: 36 Spooky and Stylish Halloween Decorating Projects
Erin Lang Norris
Here’s a closeup shot of what the gravestones end up looking like when they are finished. I tremendously enjoyed placing random little designs on them.
So as to complete this Halloween decorating project, You’ll Need the following:
Scrap plywoodRebar or dowelsPipe hangersScrewsPaint (spray and acrylic)Paint brushesJigsaw Safety glasses Drill
Erin Lang Norris
Measure 1. The first thing on your to-do list is to find some scraps of timber, and feel free to use bits that are in rough shape, provided that they’re not rotted. I found that I cleared out a fantastic part of my scrap wood pile in the garage when doing this project. Bonus: If you go this route, you have now officially started Fall Toilet Cleanup 2011. Nice work.
Measure 2. As soon as you’ve collected the timber, you should start drawing your gravestone designs. I propose drawing large rectangles onto the timber first, developing a predetermined shape to function with as a manual. Use the edges of your rectangles as the edges of your stones and sketch the remainder indoors.
Once everything is drawn, find your safety glasses and jigsaw so it’s possible to cut them all out.
Erin Lang Norris
Measure 3. As soon as everything is cut, you can start painting. We used spray paint leftover from another project.
Measure 4. Watching paint dry is always a drag, therefore this is a fantastic time to start scheming some names for your gravestones. This was my favourite part of the undertaking and that I kept wishing that I had more timber to use all of the names I’d written down!
When the gravestones are dry, then you can start painting the words . I opted to make some impromptu layouts on some of them too, which was fun.
Erin Lang Norris
All these are the six different Halloween tombstone designs as well as the names I came up with for them. A few of the names did not make the cut, but I’ve got them saved in case I make more.
Erin Lang Norris
Measure 5. I chose to use pipe sleeves on the back of every piece of timber instead of nailing a stake directly to it. They are simpler to store if they can be taken apart too. I used rebar to your brace and pounded it into the ground and then slotted the gravestone right onto it.
Erin Lang Norris
This is what my graveyard appears like in all its glory in my front lawn. We’re expecting to get a little more creative and include a couple of novelty things like a skull and a vulture or some thing.
So that’s that: A super-easy Halloween decorating project the entire family can enjoy. Try it this weekend and then show us your photographs in the Comments section below!
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