The Dimmick Family's Halloween Haunt
Archive for October, 2009
Papier Mache Pumpkins – Part 2
Oct 30th
I drew half of the face and then used the cut out pieces to make the other side symetrical.
You can see all of the layers of paper in this picture.
I used 1" to 1 1/2" wide pieces of cardboard secured with hot glue to accentuate the features that I had cut out.
This process takes a very, very long time. That is why I will not be having these pumpkins in my display this year. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.
Scaretaker Update 10-30-2009
Oct 30th
Well, I’ve been working hard on all of my props and I’m afraid I will not be able to finish all of them for this year. Here is an update on the “Scaretaker” prop.
After completing the papier mache I filled the head with expanding foam.
I used a "T" joint and short PVC pipe inside the foam to use for securing the head to the body.
I built the body out of PVC pipe. I used 1" screws to secure them all together.
I carved the foam on the hands then applied several layers of papier mache. Again I used PVC pipe so I can secure them to the body I made.
I then used chicken wire to bulk up the body. It is secured to the PVC with hot glue where it touches the pipe.
I used some old Church clothes to dress him up. My wife unstitched them and sewed Velcro into them so I could get them on.
This is what it looked like all put together except for the head. I still need to sculpt a face and eyes. I decided that if I don't finish the head tomorrow he can be a headless Scaretaker.
It looks pretty awesome with the blacklights. I'll pick up some old shoes from DI tomorrow for him.
I’m very happy with how the body turned out. I made him so he separates at the waist, so he will be a little easier to store. If I can’t finish the head by tomorrow night I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. He looks cool headless.
Graveyard Candles
Oct 27th
One of the candle clusters out in the yard without the flash. Awesome!
To add to the creepiness factor of the ambience of our haunt I wanted to have a lot of candles sitting around lighting the headstones and walkway. I bought a couple dozen battery-powered tealights that flicker like real flames off of Ebay from Zest Candles. I bought a 10′ piece of 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe and was able to cut about 22 4″, 6″ and 8″ pieces. I sanded all of the black writing off of the pipe, then filled them with expandable foam. When the foam was thoroughly dry I cut the excess off, then pushed the foam down to allow the tealights to sit inside the pipe with the “flame” exposed. I then used hot glue to make the “wax” drips down the sides. I was going to paint the pipes with UV reactive paint, but I was pleasantly surprised that the hot glue was already reactive and we think it looks cooler to have just the drips glowing and not the “candle” part.
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- 1 1/2″ PVC pipe cut and sanded.
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- Filled with expandable foam.
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- The foam cut and pushed down into the pipe.
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- Applying the hot glue.
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- Applying the hot glue.
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- Looking good.
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- They turned out better than I had hoped.
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- One of the candle clusters out in the yard.
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- One of the candle clusters out in the yard without the flash. Awesome!
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- Notice the spots of orange from the candles throughout the graveyard.
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- With the flash.
