[TK421]

I take the last week of October off from work, so usually everything is completely set up the whole last week of October.

 

[Mandathewitch]

i tried to convince my partners that we needed a cool mausoleum like yours, and then they told me we had nowhere to put it.... =( I'm considering perhaps a smaller version... we definitely have limited space since we have to leave enough room for 100 party guests in the backyard....

 

[TK421]

You can always make a smaller version, or you can make a really shallow version to put up against a fence or something.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I also have limited set up & storage space but I really liked your design - especially the way it comes apart. I was thinking of making a 2 sided version. I'd build the front and one side along with one roof panel (in a sort of "L" shape) and then position it on an angle out from the fence. The back would be closed off with black fabric. Because of my small yard and restricted viewing angles the TOTs wouldn't be able to see the missing sides. Now, whether I find time to do it this year or not - that's another question!

 

[TK421]

That is another great solution!

Now that I have built mine, I can tell you that 5' x 5' is actually pretty large for a small front yard. I think I could have gotten away with a 4' x 4' mausoleum that was only 5 or 6 feet tall. That would have saved a bot on space as well as materials.

Oh well, I have a fine mausoleum that I can actually pick up by myself and move around. I do love how light they styrofoam props are.

 

[TK421]

Okay, out playing in the yard again with my new latex sprayer. Here is the current look of the mausoleum. It looks pretty bright in these pics, but I think it will be much more subdued when I add aging.

Here is a detail of the archway. I started with the blue basecoat, added a light grey over that, and have now added a darker grey/purple spatter.

From this point on -- I'm nervous. I wish I could get Terra out here for a class on aging techniques. I've read her tutorial, but I'm still nervous to try stuff out on my own creation. Might take a few scraps of styrofoam and do some tests with that first.

 

[Spookilicious mama]

Let me just say that is just fabulous!!! I love it. I have to say the one I did last year (you can see a pic of it in my album on my profile page) is made completely of plywood and 2X4's. It is one heavy mother However it comes apart almost exactly the way yours does and it stores completely flat in the garage except for the two gothic points on each side, those I kept in tact and they dont take up much room at all. That said yours is probably much much easier to move around. Ours takes two people to move especially once it gets on the grass. I love the idea of using foam, the only thing is here in Florida its hurricane season and we get lots of wind and rain and Im wondering if that would be a problem???? What do you think. I would love to try your technique on some other projects, it would make it much easier and much more cost effective doing it your way. I mean I love my crypt, but that sucker is heavyAgain yours is coming out wonderful and I cant wait to see it with the skeletons inside!!

 

[TK421]

Let me just say that is just fabulous!!! I love it. I have to say the one I did last year (you can see a pic of it in my album on my profile page) is made completely of plywood and 2X4's. It is one heavy mother However it comes apart almost exactly the way yours does and it stores completely flat in the garage except for the two gothic points on each side, those I kept in tact and they dont take up much room at all. That said yours is probably much much easier to move around. Ours takes two people to move especially once it gets on the grass. I love the idea of using foam, the only thing is here in Florida its hurricane season and we get lots of wind and rain and Im wondering if that would be a problem???? What do you think. I would love to try your technique on some other projects, it would make it much easier and much more cost effective doing it your way. I mean I love my crypt, but that sucker is heavyAgain yours is coming out wonderful and I cant wait to see it with the skeletons inside!!

Your crypt is beautiful! I love the aging and the moss -- it's fantastic! I hope, hope, hope I can do my aging as well as you did. The moss is a great addition.

I honestly have no idea what kind of winds my styrofoam mausoleum can handle. It's been outside for two weeks now, and has no problem with the evening 10mph wind we get. But a storm? I just don't know. I think I would take it apart for any type of severe weather.

I do love how light the mausoleum is. I'll try and shoot some video tomorrow of me moving the crypt around. My daughters think it's hysterical because it looks like a Scooby Doo cartoon. I go in and then the mausoleum pops up and starts walking around.

 

[yardhauntjunkie]

I am going to be waiting for a field test of the mausoleum in Northwest storm. I think once you get your crypt beds in there and maybe a few cinder blocks underneath those on the frame that you will be OK. It should be water resistant with all the paint that you have on there. Is it going to be in an area where there is a ton of wind? I kind of pictured it being back in the tress according to your diagram.

 

[TK421]

I am going to be waiting for a field test of the mausoleum in Northwest storm. I think once you get your crypt beds in there and maybe a few cinder blocks underneath those on the frame that you will be OK. It should be water resistant with all the paint that you have on there. Is it going to be in an area where there is a ton of wind? I kind of pictured it being back in the tress according to your diagram.

Yes, it will be tucked in between a tree and the house rhode bushes. I think it will be fine for most anything the Northwest can throw at it. Plus, the styrofoam is impervious to rain, so I have no worries of moisture.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I plan on using at least 1" blue or pink foam insulation sheets which are just as light but quite a bit stronger. Also, if I build mine open on the back it will cut down on the wind resistance since much of the force from any wind could blow right through.

As for moving it, am I correct that I see you've put two handles on the inside frame?

I like your idea of putting the skellies on display inside - it's a nice break from the traditional flying crank ghost. Since mine would be small and a little ways back from the audience in the back of the cemetery I think I'd put my fog chiller inside and have the fog roll out of the door.

I like how your paint job is coming along. Now that you have that as a base you can really weather it up and add some interest.

PS Love your mausoleum Spookilicious!! Great paint job.

 

[yardhauntjunkie]

Now that the cider shack and mausoleum are nearing completion are you getting any ideas of what to do next?

 

[TK421]

Oh, yes!! I need to build a new roof for the existing haunted tower, plus I want to build a new, slightly larger tower to go above the front porch, and I want to build a false storefront (or pub) facade for the shed.

Here is my latest plan for this year.

And here is how I hope to have the house looking with both towers.

 

[yardhauntjunkie]

I was just joking, but wow you are going to be busy all summer. Pace yourself, you don't want to get Halloween burn out.

 

[Spookilicious mama]

Oh, yes!! I need to build a new roof for the existing haunted tower, plus I want to build a new, slightly larger tower to go above the front porch, and I want to build a false storefront (or pub) facade for the shed.

Here is my latest plan for this year.

And here is how I hope to have the house looking with both towers.

Hey thanks for the kind words about my crypt but "Oh my word" this diagram is just amazing!!! Seriously I cant believe how much you have going on there and I can not wait to see it actually done!!! Please post pics as soon as you get anything done I will definately be following you on this. Fabulous just FABULOUS

 

[yardhauntjunkie]

Did you get any prop work done on this beautiful Saturday?

 

[TK421]

Didn't do any work on the mausoleum today, spent my time working on the cider shack instead.

New Cider Shack for 2009

Take a look, I'm at a point where I need some advice.

 

[MHooch]

That is absolutely gorgeous, TK. I've been wanting a mausoleum, too, and I think the hubby and I might be able to handle this one. Thanks so much for the great pictures and all the details of building and what materials, etc. I especially like the fact that you are having the skellies on display inside, can't wait to see a pic of that. BTW, I think the detail around the archway is BRILLIANT!

As you start to weather the outside, check out this link...ghostess does a video tutorial on "faux mildew painting" that is very good. You'll find it under "tips 'n tricks" and then under the headline "Painting". I think you'll enjoy her work, she is very good at what she does.

http://www.theghostess.com/index.html

Again, thanks for the thread, and all your work to show us how it's done!

 

[TK421]

That's a helpful little video, thanks for sharing!

 

[Deathtouch]

Nice job on the Mausoleum!