Signs of Halloween are all around us. The totem sign
above left can be seen along the driveway to Uncialle's Stronghold, opposite the
abyss.
It's easy to make a Halloween totem sign--a bold, bright
entrance-marker for Halloween festivities that can be used year after year.
Making a totem sign is a good way to use up odds and ends of lumber
from other projects. You can point the way to various attractions, or just paint
on general messages of the season, like "Happy Haunting," "Beware of Vampires,"
or "Trick or Treat." On a totem sign, goofiness looks good. As the sign ages, it
looks more and more Halloweeny!
To make a totem, you will need: a 2" x 2" board at least 8
feet long, various other bits and pieces of board, odds and ends of paint, nails
or screws, and spray varnish. Simply paint your messages on the scraps of board,
and nail or screw the scraps at 2" intervals to the 2" x 2". Uncialle's
bat-crowned skull totem-topper was first drawn on folded paper, transferred to
plywood, cut out by Magnus using a jig saw, then painted. After the whole thing
is assembled, spray it all over with varnish to weatherproof it.
Tie the totem securely to a fencepost, or bury it at least two feet in the
ground--or screw it to the corner of a garage, tie it to a tree--or whatever
works at your stronghold.
More Signs: Your computer makes great signs, and
fast. Uncialle uses CorelDraw software to make her indoor signs, but any
graphics software, of course, will work. Just print them out, then use Spray
Mount or rubber cement to bond the signs to Fomecore-brand mounting board,
cardboard, tagboard, or even to wood. Some examples are seen below. These signs can me
laminated, backing and all, to make them almost indestructible. Signs add loads
of Halloweenish atmosphere. A pilot friend of Uncialle's declared his favorite
to be, "Up here, no one can here you scream." A refreshment table with a pitcher
of punch and some cups gave people a new chill after Uncialle labeled it, "The
Jonestown Grape Kool-Aid Drink Your Cares Away Center."
Next to jack o' lanterns, Halloween signs are the most effective creepy-atmosphere-producing items that Uncialle has found.
