Thanks for stopping by today to check out some Halloween fun. As ya’ll know, I love working with concrete. So just a quick reminder to check out more of my concrete fun when you’re all done with today’s tutorial!.
Now, onto the show!!!
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It’s that time of year when all things frightful come creeping, crawling, slithering, and squirming out of every dark corner. Not only is Halloween right around the corner, but next week is the season premier of Walking Dead! I’ve been waiting for this for MONTHS!
So with all the fun scary stuff going on, I got my DIY groove on and jumped on board. You all know how much I love working with concrete/cement, with all its endless possibilities. Well my latest concrete project is a DIY concrete tombstone. And this is just about the easiest DIY project you’ll come across. I’m talking putting in about 10 minutes of your time. So easy. So let’s jump right into this super easy tutorial.
To make your DIY concrete tombstone, you’ll need:
1. Rapid Set Cement All
3. Dust Mask
4. Screw driver
5. WD-40
Now, if you recall, last week I completed this DIY concrete & PVC bar stool…
To make the seat portion of the stool I used the same baking pan that I used for the tombstone, so I already had it on hand. Plus, I already had the Cement All. So this project cost me zero dollars. (I like to think that in some ways that saves me money. Right? …Right?)
Step 1: Wearing your dust mask, mix your Cement All according to instructions (3 parts cement; 1 part water). I tend to like adding a little extra water. It makes it easier to pour.
Step 2: Spray your pan with oil. I like using WD-40, but you can use cooking oil or PAM.
Step 3: Pour the mixed Cement All into the pan.
Step 4: Wait. No, seriously…wait about 15 minutes for the Cement All to start to set. If you start carving your words into the cement before it sets, it’ll fill right back in…like this….
What can I say, I’m not a patient person.
Step 5: But once the cement started to set, I used a screw driver to carve out the inscription. You literally have to dig out the cement with your screw driver (see the little pile of cement pieces on the left)…
Now, confession time… I forgot to spray my baking pan with oil (I did say I can be a little impatient, didn’t I?) so after my cement dried (in about an hour), it was pretty well stuck in there. When I used the same pan for the seat of my concrete & PVC bar stool, I gave it a good coat of oil and when the Cement All dried I just tilted the pan and the cement slab just slid right out.
This time, without the oil coat, I had to tug at the edges pretty hard to loosen the slab and I even chipped some of the edges a bit.
Luckily, I didn’t mind the chips because they worked well with this being an old tombstone and all.
Next, chop somebody up, bury them in the ground, and… okay, just kidding. That probably wouldn’t be cool. So instead, just stick your tombstone in the dirt and you’re good to go.
Here’s the final result…
I know what you’re saying…. “ooooh, scary.” …Am I right?
Oh, and then I made some creepy zombie hands to go with it. (Zombie hands tutorial here.)
So now we’ve got a zombie Jack The Ripper crawling out of his grave.
But don’t get your panties up in a bunch…it’s all make believe (in case you couldn’t tell).
If you’re looking for more fun Halloween crafts, check out HOW TO PUT A SEVERED HEAD IN A JAR.
And for more fun DIY concrete projects check these out…
DIY CONCRETE PLANTER HANDS FOR SUCCULENTS
UBER MODERN DIY CONCRETE CLOCK
DIY TALL CONCRETE CANDLES FOR TEA LIGHTS
There you have it folks. Oh, and by the way, this is NOT a sponsored post. Just loving’ me the Cement All.
Cheers!
Jenise
This post linked to some of these totally fabulous blogs and here.
Very clever idea! Might it be a little difficult to store between Halloweens?
Well, it’s only about 1-inch thick so you can easily stick it in the back of a closet, under a bed, or even slide it behind the sofa. Or, since it’s seriously so easy and inexpensive to make, toss it and make a new one next year…that is, if there is a next year….you know, after the zombie apocalypse and all. :-)
This is AWESOME! I want some in my yard:)
Thanks Adrian! You should definitely give them a try. It’s SO EASY to make!
This is so awesome! I love how you used the concrete hand idea that’s going around for gardens for the zombie hands. Duh, Beth, obvious! I’m definitely going to do this next year! I love Halloween so much!
Pinning so I won’t forget!
Beth at LWC Wonderland
Thank you so much Beth! I’m so glad you like it! You’ll have so much fun next year with your tombstones! Have a fun and scary Halloween!
I’ve made wooden tombstones before, but this one made from concrete is fabulous! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you so much Jann! Wooden tombstones sound pretty cool and creepy too! And thank you for hosting each week. It’s always a pleasure stopping by!
Concrete is all the rage right now, isn’t it?? This is such a fun idea for Halloween- and I am like you, SO NOT PATIENT when it comes to concrete. :) Thank you for swinging by Snickerdoodle Sunday with your latest make- I hope you’ll come back next time! :)
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Thanks so much Sarah! One of the great things for us impatient folks is that Cement All sets and cures faster than most any cement that you’ll find so quick and easy. Will definitely keep stopping by Snickerdoodle Sunday. Always a pleasure. Thanks!
super cute idea! Appreciate the diy and the hints about being patient lol
Visiting from Inspire Me Monday. This is just too easy! This year will be my son’s last year trick or treating. He’s already saying that next year he wants to do a haunted house on the front lawn and porch for the trick or treaters. I’m gathering up inexpensive, easy ideas. Pinning! And thank you!
Last year of trick or treating?!! Well, next year sounds like it’ll be fun too. He can still dress up as something. Maybe even pretend to be a statue on the lawn and when the trick or treaters come up to your stoop, he can come alive and freak them all out. You can even make your lawn an entire grave yard. Oh, so many ideas! Well, all my best wishes for his last trick or treating. But there’s is still so much fun to be had!
Too funny! I love the hands that are popping up through the ground, so creepy…. being patient is always a challenge, lol… I am stopping by from the Craftastic – Sew Can Do Link Party where I am linked up too where I am linked up too with my Free Pintable – Say Boo Scare On project.
Hugs,
Antonella :-)
Thank you so much Antonella! The tutorial for the hands is here: http://diyfunideas.com/halloween-craft-how-to-make-concrete-zombie-hands/.
And love your printables. So cute!
I love this concrete tombstone! And the hands sticking out of the ground are so creepy! Perfect for Halloween! Thanks for sharing this fun tutorial at The Pin Junkie. It’s being featured at tonight’s party!
Thank you so much for featuring my tombstone! And thank you for letting me join in on your special night! xo
Thank you so much for linking up with Big Autumn Bash !
Your project has been featured :)
xx
Mila
milaslittlethings.com
[email protected]
Oh my goodness, Mila. Thank you so much for featuring me!!! Can’t wait to head over and visit!!!!!