Nice tutorial, Terra.

Thanks much. I also love your idea of modifying the tombstones! What a quick and easy way to vastly improve the store-boughts.

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How-to's for all kinds of props: http://www.halloweenforum.com/album.php?u=20959
Videos at my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Scaryladyvideos

My wife grabbed the coffin shaped piece because it was on sale and she thought it was cute. I really liked the cross design but wasn't sure about the overall coffin shape. So I figured I'd risk wasting $1.25 and try cutting out the part I liked. it was also a test for a New Orleanstype low crypt. I'm planning to take the 36" tombstone I had behind the bronze fence this year [it might be the album cover for my '08 set up] and cut out the center section. I'll place this on one end of a 6' long dog house shaped box and the twin stone i got on sale at the other 'closed' end. i want to light it from inside with red light, have loose bones cast around and put a small iron or bronze gate over the front opening. Now that I know I can cut up storebought tombstones without wrecking them completely, this project has moved from idea stage to planning stage.

Ondeko...I might have to try that. I do like some of the store bought stones once again thanks for the tips.

Terra...you are killing me..lol..I can't work on any props till after the first of the year but your tombstones are fantastic. I'm can't wait to try it. Thanks

Ooooh. Can't wait to see that.

The more and more I think about your hacking up store-boughts the more ideas come to mind. If there is one element of the tombstone that looks good, you could cut it out and use it as an embellishment for the tombstone you are making. Like a cool skull or scroll design. So glad you shared that.

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How-to's for all kinds of props: http://www.halloweenforum.com/album.php?u=20959
Videos at my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Scaryladyvideos

I used to look at the commercial tombstones that had one awesome feature on an otherwise bad design and be bummed that I couldn't get a tombstone with just *that* on it. Now I look for tombstones on sale thinking how i can cut them into what I wanted in the first place.

I finally got a camera that works well so I'll be sure to snap photos during all phases of the low crypt project. My wife is agitating for this to get a back burner since it requires more new materials and I have sections of the old crypt [the one I cannibalized for this year's crypt] that should be used for something. I'm agitating for both. Regardless of which actually happens this year I'll be making a tutorial on it. I've learned a lot here and I feel a need to pay it forward.

Hey Ondeko! I just found yet another template for multiple tombstones. Here it is:
How to build quick and dirty tombstones!

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How-to's for all kinds of props: http://www.halloweenforum.com/album.php?u=20959
Videos at my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Scaryladyvideos

Terra,

Do you still have the file for the celtic pattern used on the obelisk? Could you post it here. I want to try to print it using my vinyl cutter and try it.

I did a vinyl cut pattern the other day and tried it on pink foamboard and it workd amazing. Used black spraypaint and got beautiful sharp letters from it.

I am using a signcut program. Now I want to make it more elaborate with varying layers that can be etched out.

Next time I will take some pictures and post here.

Thanks

Sure. Unfortunately these pictures were small in the first place and when I blew it up to print, they were all pixelated. I was able to make it out good enough to trace though. By the way, love your idea of tracing it onto vinyl.

Bottom half:



Top half:

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How-to's for all kinds of props: http://www.halloweenforum.com/album.php?u=20959
Videos at my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Scaryladyvideos

Wow those are small! really small, musta looked like stair steps!

Thanks
Mike