 |
First, we want to point out a couple of highlights of the stone. We added pillars to the stone to create
a elegant look but to also contain the blood from dripping off to the side. Etching the pillars was easy.
We took our engraving tool and dragged it along a piece of wood.
|
| We then used the scroll saw to cut out the picture frame. These tools can be purchased at the
Hot Wire Foam Factory.
They made this project a lot easier, but please be careful using them, they can get hot and will burn you if you touch the wire.
|
 |
| The frame was finished using a bronze metallic paint followed by a patina green antiquing solution (both can be found at craft stores)
to give it that aged look. A sheet of laminate was placed over the picture of Lizzie to protect it.
|
 |
 |
The stone was then finished as discussed in our “Creating a stone” project. Here’s a picture of the stone before
trying out the blood. The flowers at the bottom of the stone were purchased at a home improvement store.
Look in the trim section for all kinds of cool add-ons to your stone.
|
| A 20” x 5” x 4 ½” deep plexi-glass box was constructed to be the reservoir for the blood.
It was hot glued together and then caulked to seal it. It holds a little over a gallon which is plenty
to keep the blood flowing. It needs to be a little wider than the front portion of the stone where the blood
flows. We added some bracing
to be on the safe side. Make sure the bracing is below the top of the “tank” or water will run off out of the tank.
|
 |
| Looking at the top, you can see the notches that hold the stone in place. The small piece in each notch
(bottom of notch in picture) is for the ¾” gap required between the stone and base. This gap allows the
blood to flow down into the tank.
|
 |
 |
One of the problems we had last year was distribution of the blood. We tried a tube for each hole, but it didn’t work too well.
This year, we built an upper reservoir (using the same construction method as the tank), and were able to easily supply
multiple holes. Another problem last year was the pump was too small to pump the water up to the required level.
Make sure you check the height level of the pump when purchasing.
|
 |
So basically the method is quite simple. The pump pumps the blood up to the upper tank, where it runs out the holes
in the letters, down the front of the stone and into the lower tank. The blood is just water with red food dye added along with
some blue to darken the blood.
|
| Finally, the stone bleeds. It took a little effort, but we think the effect is worth it.
Please click on the picture to the right to see a short video of the stone bleeding. |
 |
 |
Here are a couple of close ups of the bleeding letters. The holes were placed using our hot wire knife.
We inserted the knife at the front in an upwards angle towards the back of the stone to allow the blood to flow down.
The holes were placed when possible under the non-carved portion of a letter.
|
 |
Once all the holes were made, we found the lowest exit point in the back of the stone and carved
all the other holes to that same level. This assures that all letters would receive blood flow.
The upper tank was then placed over the holes, to mark where to put the holes through the tank.
Once the holes were drilled, the upper tank was attached to the stone using hot glue.
|
 |
The red dye does tend to stain the stone a little after running for a while, but isn’t really noticeable when the blood is running.
Hope you enjoyed this project. Good Luck with yours. Please feel free to
contact
us if you have any questions, or suggestions for improving this project.
|
