Killer Scarecrow

Merlin Calhoun, of Haunters Hangout shares with us how to create a killer scarecrow that will easily frighten your guests.
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These directions came from his site Haunters Hangout. The link is provided at the bottom of this page
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Recently I was ask by a local Jewelry store to help make a scarecrow for our towns annual Scarecrowfest. They wanted a theme that had something to do with jewelry So, the Legend of the Ottawa Scarecrow was born.

 

It is windy down town so I build the base out of 2 by 6 lumber to weight it down. A 2 by 4 was added for the scarecrow to be suspended from.

 

Next I needed to make the body of the scarecrow. It was made from PVC. Once the body was in the pose that I wanted I screwed the joints in place with 1 inch wood screws. A chicken wire frame was added and shaped to fill in the body.

 

Next I needed a face for the scarecrow. I used an old mask that I had cast and covered it in burlap then coated it with latex. The clothes were added and the scarecrow was attached to the post. I made a new set of latex hands and used wood screws to connect them also. Click here to see how the hands are made. I added PVC pipes to the back to hold the corn stalks.

 

I added the stone next. It is a piece of 3/4" plywood with two pieces of foam glued to the front of it. To see how to make some great tombstones click here.

Once the scarecrow was complete it was time to apply Monster Mud to harden it. For info on how to make MM check out TerrorSyndicate.com.

 

Once the Mud was dry I applied a sealer to protect it from the weather. My wife carved out the lettering on the stone and the scarecrow was painted black. Light gray highlights were added to make the scarecrow look aged.

 

Once the Scarecrow was in front of the store the girls added the finishing touches to it. My wife painted a small red dot for the eye. It seemed to follow you as you walked by.

That is it. The Scarecrow went over very well. It won first place. To my amusement it was rumored that it was a store bought prop. Which is one reason for this how-to.

 

The Legend of the Ottawa Scarecrow

This is the story of Everett B. Styx
Who lived in these parts
Around 1806

Everett married Emma
Whom some thought a witch
A seamstress by trade
That old girl could stitch

Emma hoped for a diamond
On their anniversary day
But Everett forgot
In the fields he did stay

Emma wasn't happy
And a high price was paid
She stitched up poor Everett
A new scarecrow made

Now that was the legend
But this much is true
Diamonds last for ever
Wife's tempers can too

 

Really it was not a hard project at all. You should try one for your self. Think of one hanging in your haunt.

 

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For larger versions of the pictures used in this article, and more awesome prop ideas, be sure to visit his site at HauntersHangout.Com

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