Easy Styrofoam Tombstones

Materials used:
(1) 2-inch thick Styrofoam
(2) Latex Window Caulk
(3) Hard Plastic Tubing
(4) Paint:
     Medium Grey latex exterior house paint 
     White & Pewter gray acrylic craft paints 
     Red acrylic paint (for lettering)

Tools:
Serrated knife (or other cutting device)
Latex gloves
Drill with a drill bit slightly smaller than the tubing
Drywall T-square or yard stick
Plastic plate
Damp sea sponge
Projector (optional)
Magic marker (black or red)

The 2-inch thick Styrofoam pieces I get from furniture stores are already the right width for making most tombstones. They also come in different heights.

I use Latex window caulk to: give it a ‘skin’ to protect it, to give it a good painting surface, and to add some texture. It's also important to get a thick layer of window caulk on the tombstone to prevent the caulk from peeling away from the styrofoam should it stick to a surface. 

NOTE: Place each of your finished tombstones in a separate trash bag when storing to prevent it from sticking to other tombstones!

1. Measure Styrofoam to desired length and width. Using the serrated knife cut out the desired tombstone shape. Then round off and rough up the edges by scraping with the knife. Also, make any desired cracks.



2. Drill hole in bottom of your tombstone and insert plastic tubing.



3. Apply the latex window caulk. Pat to add bumpy texture or smooth it out evenly- the choice is yours. Let dry completely. Then apply the caulk to other side and to edges. Let dry completely.

Caution: Wear gloves and use window caulk only in a well-ventilated area.



4. Basecoat your tombstone with the Medium Grey latex exterior house paint.

5. Print out your Epitaph in a creepy font. I trace the epitaph (projected onto the tombstone) with a red marker. NOTE: I have a projector to blow up the words so I don’t waste printer ink. And I can see what the Epitaph will look like before I trace it onto the tombstone.



6. Paint your epitaph using red or black acrylic paint. Using the basecoat, correct any ‘goofs’ at this time.

7. Pour some white acrylic paint into plate. Practice on a scrap piece of cardboard…you want it to have a ‘speckled’ appearance. Take a damp sea sponge and press gently into paint. Then tap it onto tombstone. Let dry. Do the sponge technique on other side and the edges. Let dry completely.



8. Now use the dark grey and apply it the same way. I use a lighter touch when applying this. Let dry.



9. Paint the epitaph again. Let dry completely.



To display your tombstones simply insert a long thick wire halfway into the plastic tubing and then push it into the ground.

Below are some other photos using this technique:

 

That is an EXCELLENT How To! 
Excellent!

This helps alot!!! I need to make some this year,I score some 2" styro from my contractor brother!! I rate this 5 catfish outta 5 catfish!!!