Jack, Sally, and Zero Yard Decorations

Nightmare-inspired yard decorations made from plywood.

Materials List:

Plywood
Jigsaw (& several blades)
Pencil
Sandpaper
Paint Markers: 2 Black & 1 White medium point, 1 Black Fine Point)
Base-coat waterproofing primer
Flat gloss polyurethane
Acrylic paints: Various colors
Paint Brushes
Two 1"x2" studs
1/2" PVC Pipe
Screws
Steel Bar

Draw and cut out your figures with the jigsaw and sand them well. Add at least 2 coats of the base coat. It seals and waterproofs the wood and it also gives you a more forgiving drawing surface. If you mess up you can use an eraser. If you really mess up you simply sand away the mistake and reapply primer.

Acquired plywood, new jigsaw blades, and primer. Time to go to work!!!


I made Sally first for a couple of reasons. First, she is out front and has more way more detail so I wanted to make sure she came out looking good before I moved on. Second, she determined the position of Jack's shoulder and I needed her for proportion for the other parts. 

Jack is over 7 feet tall and a bit skinny so I used the 1"x 2" stud for structural support from the back. The PVC will slide over rebar posts that will have been driven into the ground.

I used a white paint marker for his pinstripes. Don't try for perfection with his stripes- the more wonky the lines, the more authentic the look.

Zero's ears are really thin and I had no faith that they would survive very long with the kids in the neighborhood and getting knocked about each year in and out of storage. So, I reinforced them with a steel bar. Although it is not shown, I attached a piece of PVC to his back so that he can sit on a dowel. The plan is to move him about the yard over the course of the Halloween season.

I attached Sally to Jack after applying several coats of polyurethane to each piece. I do not want these guys to warp! 

So, after a successful project I look around and realize that I haven't made Oogey or The Mayor or Lock, Shock & Barrel...

It's about to get busy!