The basic idea is to create a hallow tombstone by taking two ½" pieces of Styrofoam and sandwiching a 2" border between them. We illuminate the carvings by placing a light source inside the stone.
We first created a pattern for our stone using a publishing package. The reaper is from a pumpkin carving pattern book. You can trace the pattern onto the Styrofoam or punch small holes through the pattern (as suggested for the carving kit).
Once the outline of the front piece is carved out, we trace its outline of the second (or back sheet) of Styrofoam to keep the front and back pieces basically the same shape.
We used Hot Wire Foam Factory's hot knife to carve out the pattern and lettering. It is thin enough to allow you to carve small detail into the stone. We also cut at an angle making the back of the carvings bigger than the front. This allows more light to shine through. Please be careful since the tool gets ho
We attach 2" thick Styrofoam (using a low heat hot glue gun) along the edge of the back piece. Placement along the edge does not have to be exact, since we will trim it later, but you should make it at least cover the edge of the back piece.
The inside is painted red to match the color of the light bulbs we will be using. We paint both the front and back's inside...