Making custom props for your Halloween yard display can be as simple as throwing together some scraps of wood to make some creepy looking entrance columns.
For last year’s haunted cemetery display, I built two columns out of scrap plywood. To increase the spooky factor this year, I also added a flickering lantern box, also made out of scrap plywood and some cheap portfolio covers.
I’m running late on the invitations this year (spending too much time on all the other prop design!)
Anyway, the design is now finished so it’s time to fire up the colour printer…
The inspiration for the design of these invites comes from the amazing label design of Love Manor.
A nice new sign will greet trick-or-treaters when they enter the cemetery this year.
I still have to build a stand and a frame for it, but the poster is about 22″ high, and is protected with 5 mil exterior grade laminate front and back.
The inspiration for the design of this sign comes from the amazing label design of Love Manor.
After finishing the cemetery columns, I wanted to make a new entrance sign. The one we used last year was a quick “slap some paint on a board” sign, and there was no depth or real character to it.
To give the sign some depth, I used thin plywood letters. While it probably would have been easier to stencil and paint the letters, using the plywood adds depth to the sign. Since we use lots of coloured lighting in our yard haunt, the added depth adds to the overall effect.
We get lots of questions and comments on our annual yard haunt – from “where did you get that” to “how long does this take to set up” and many others.
Establishing an online presence was the next logical step, especially for how-to articles.
Pumping up the scare factor in your yard haunt doesn’t have to be expensive (unless you buy everything instead of using some good ol’ scraps and creativity).
Hopefully, as this site grows, you’ll be able to use some of the ideas for your own Halloween fun.