Headstones look great outside or inside this time of year. Create a variety of sizes and shapes for best effect.
With a large sheet of Styrofoam you can get four nice sized headstones made at a fraction of the cost of buying same sized commercially made accessories.
Use carbon paper to draw your design and write the epitaph. Place the carbon paper on the tombstone. You may want to tape the ends to make sure it stays in place. Use a pen to trace onto carbon paper and transfer the pattern onto the Styrofoam. If the transfer marks aren't dark enough, go back over them with a marker.
In a well-ventilated area, use a hot point tool, in this case a welding tool, to go over the pattern lines (image 1). The heat melts Styrofoam instantly, so you'll need to keep the tool moving at a fast pace. Decide which areas to push and which to leave. To create deep cuts or cracks, hold the tool on the Styrofoam surface a bit longer, dragging the line (image 2). For more precise design work, you can cut the lines with an X-acto knife.
Using a mixture of drywall compound and colored water-based paint, called Monster Mud, apply the mud with a brush to the entire surface of the headstone (image 1). Be sure to cover all sides, allowing each side to dry completely, before continuing. There should be no Styrofoam showing when you're done (image 2).
Get instructions to make Monster Mud.
When the mud layer is completely dry, paint the raised surfaces with a darker gray craft paint (or mixed black and white paint) and a damp brush. Some of the mud color can be left as is. This will help achieve a more realistic stone color.
Once the headstone is dry, paint any carved or low surfaces with black paint and a small brush. This will help the details stand out. Let dry.
Using a wide, dry brush and a small amount of white art paint, gently drag the brush across the surface of the headstone. High-surface detailing will trap white paint and give Styrofoam the look of stone.
To add a layer of grunge, use a very wet brush and some brown craft paint. Pick up the headstone and starting at the top, let the wet paint drip down the surface (image 1). Let dry. The completed headstone is perfect for any indoor or outdoor graveyard or Halloween (image 2).
Lynne and Shawn Mitchell have a website called How to Chase Your House. . They have also written How to haunt your house books I and II.
