CEMETERY PLAQUE |
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Ok, I started with a scrap piece of pink foam board left over from my wall project. |
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I made my plaque template using Adobe, some orange vinyl, and the vinyl cutter we have (ok, I cheated here). Worked real well, vinyl stuck to the foam board nicely and gave me a good guide for the router. |
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I then of course, routed my design out. I used a narrow bit to to the detail work and then came back with a larger bit to cut away all the access. |
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Here is the plaque, vinyl removed (comes right off) and I cut away the rest of the foam board with a kitchen knife. No, it is not perfect, but I will fix that with the propane torch and some aging. After all, this plaque is supposed to be over 150 years old. |
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Flamed! Here is the plaque after it has had some attention with a propane torch. The torch does a nice job of smoothing the rough areas, distressing the foam, and giving the whole plaque a nice weathered look. |
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What came next wasn't
documented, basically the plaque got the same gray-blue latex paint the
walls are receiving and then various (and quite random) coats of gray and
black spray paint. I even used a spray bottle of water when applying
the spray paint to give it a runny look. Kinda worked, but in
hindsight I think I should have let the latex dry longer and perhaps
applied a second coat. Oh well, we live and learn and prepare to
haunt another day. The plaque, as you can see, was attached one of the front cemetery columns and I think it did the job quite well. |
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Close up of the plaque, showing the detail a little bit closer. If you compare this to the template layout above, you will notice I didn't cut out all the detail in the top decoration. Reason being is durability. The detail required very thin walls of the foam board and I think they would have easily cracked. This theory was proved after the picture was taken, since the T required some strengthening. |
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*All images are thumbnailed, please click on any image to see the large size image. |
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