Mausoleum to Gingerbread house

[The Other Elf]

idea:

This past Halloween I built a Mausoleum out of wood frames and foam board for sides. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on modifying it to be a gingerbread house? It is currently painted grey with skulls and stuff but I was thinking of wrapping it somehow. Not sure if it would work.

Any suggestions? think:

:confused:A very important catch is that the changes can't be permanent, I need to use for Halloween 2010 and beyond...

[Rybcon]

Is this something that assembles? Could one side be Halloween and the other side be Christmas?

[The Other Elf]

It does assemble but it can't be switched around. This is what I built (but it doesn't look as good) "http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/77696-haunted-hollow-mausoleum-build.html".

[Rybcon]

It looks like it could be pretty easily converted into a church.

[The Other Elf]

How would one go about doing that? I'd like to hear about what technique to use.

But, my building doesn't look as "neat" as the one on the web page. I don't have pictures of how mine is built right now. However, there are skulls on the front, it has cracks throughout and the appearance of weather stains. It was made to look old and decrepid.

I was thinking of wrapping it in butcher paper and stapling along the wood frame and then assemble the sides, but I don't know how well it would stand up to wet and windy weather.

[putrid]

Here's a pic of what The Other Elf is referring to.

[The Other Elf]

Yes.. Thank you for the pic putrid.

It's just not that well built; a carpenter I'm not.

Anyway, does anyone think its possible to make it into a more cheery, gingerbready place? Figured if I could use the same prop for two holidays, it would make the effort in building it that much more worth it and reduce storage space at the same time.

[putrid]

The hardest part wont be covering the skulls. It's the overall look of the finish. Not the best of ideas to repaint this. Way to much good work to cover up. Short of making new foam panels to fit over this I wouldn't know. Cut holes in the front panel to accommodate the skulls. See these two thread for ideas on how to cover the skulls.

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=1788

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=1659

[Warrant2000]

You could use larger happy masks to cover the skull faces. Or, cut out the skulls and make them removable and replaceable. Make some large candies out of foam to attach to the sides. Some strings of white lights around the edges can give it the icing look. Use a yellow flood light to see if it gives it a more gingerbread color look. Garland and some wreaths will make anything look festive!

Use long 1x3 pine boards, paint white, then paint red stripes for giant candy canes. With several of those you can make a frame that outlines the front of your structure. Make more of those candy canes to create an entire frame for the structure, then you can run strings of lights back and forth.

I really don't think brown paper would hold up very long, and it might not give you the quality surface you are looking for.

[Just Whisper]

I was thinking of wrapping it in butcher paper and stapling along the wood frame and then assemble the sides, but I don't know how well it would stand up to wet and windy weather.


This idea might work if instead of butcher paper you bought that plastic type wrapping paper. I use it on one of my halloween props that I turned into a christmas prop. it has held up well to sitting out in the rain all year. Here are pics of what I did with mine. Hope this helps.

This is a tomb made out of pink styrofoam

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=26&pictureid=200

This is the same tomb, minus the topper, covered in plastic wrapping paper.


http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=26&pictureid=201

[Sickie Ickie]

I'm thinking it may make a great archway for a Toy Soldier if the skulls are covered.

Or maybe even Santa if a Toy soldier is on either side to cover the skulls.

The paint can be offset by flood lights.

[The Other Elf]

Just Whisper,

Where did you find "plastic type wrapping paper"? I don't think I've ever seen it - do you know where to get it? Sounds like I can turn it inside out, which should work. I will probably need a lot if I go this route, is it much more expensive the regular wrapping paper?

[Sickie Ickie]

Sounds like the mylar type, JW?

[markgbarba1987]

hehe. that's a scary christmas there.. but nice idea, very unique.

[Just Whisper]

Yeah sickie, that is the word I was looking for. thanks. It is mylar paper Elf. I think I got mine at either WalMart or the Dollar Tree. It is about the same price but the roll is a little smaller so I guess it is more in the long run. Also, what about that white butchers paper that has a plastic type coating on one side? You could maybe paint it whatever color you want. I don't know if it would work, just throwing stuff out there.

[theedwin]

I saw some nice Christmasy vinyl table cloths at a local 99 cent store. I don't know how big they are but maybe that would work. (Vinyl on one side, clothy on the other.) sorry not the best explanation..

[Sickie Ickie]

I've used those before Edwin. Around here the cloth on one side isn't good because of dampness and humidity, but they also make them without the cloth and it works great!