Backyard Graveyard Scene

by Lynn Lilly

Turn your backyard into a spooky graveyard using Krylon^®.

3 hours

Using the pencil, draw the outline of your grave marker on the foam.
Cut out the grave marker using a Xacto knife. Place any extra pieces to the side.
Either create a design on your computer or draw one out on a piece of paper. Take the design and position it on the foam where you would like for it to appear. Use the dull pencil to trace the design on the paper, which will leave indentations on the foam.
Discard the design. Plug in the wood burning heat tool with a fine tip point inserted. Once the tool is hot, carve into the foam. Press very gently to gauge how quickly the foam melts away.
Once the design is complete, cover a large flat surface either outdoors or in a well-ventilated area using the tarp to prepare for spray painting. Place the grave markers on the tarp.
After reading can label for proper application and safety instructions, spray Krylon^® Rust Protector^™ Preventative Enamel in Flat Black over the carved designs to highlight them.
Apply Krylon^® Rust Protector^™ Multicolored Textured Finish in Granite and Charcoal using light coats until the desired look is achieved. Allow time to dry.
Take the extra pieces of foam and cut them into a stand for the grave marker. Attach the stand with either hot glue or super glue.
If you would like extra support, insert thin stakes into the bottom of the grave markers and stick those into the ground. (optional)

Lay out the gate structure, placing a PVC pipe at each end, 5 dowels in between the PVC pipes, and 2 dowels perpendicular.
Using the twine, secure each section where the pipes and dowels cross. Secure by tying a knot across the connection, then wrap in an X pattern and secure by tying a knot.
Once the gate is secured as one piece, move to a well-ventilated room or outdoor area and cover with a tarp.
After reading can label for proper application and safety instructions, spray the from and back of the gate using Krylon^® Rust Protector^™ Preventative Enamel in Flat Black, allowing each side to dry for 8 minutes.
Hammer two stakes or metal chopsticks halfway in the group at the same measurement of the PVC pipe openings. Once secure in the ground, set your gate on the stakes, inserting them into the PVC pipes.