Scarecrow The Making of a Legend

It is windy down town so I build the base out of 2 by 6 lumber to weight it down. A 2 by 4 was added for the scarecrow to be suspended from.

Next I needed to make the body of the scarecrow. It was made from PVC. Once the body was in the pose that I wanted I screwed the joints in place with 1 inch wood screws. A chicken wire frame was added and shaped to fill in the body.

Next I needed a face for the scarecrow. I used an old mask that I had cast and covered it in burlap then coated it with latex. The clothes were added and the scarecrow was attached to the post. I made a new set of latex hands and used wood screws to connect them also. I added PVC pipes to the back to hold the corn stalks.

I added the stone next. It is a piece of 3/4″ plywood with two pieces of foam glued to the front of it.

Once the scarecrow was complete it was time to apply Monster Mud to harden it.

Once the Mud was dry I applied a sealer to protect it from the weather. My wife carved out the lettering on the stone and the scarecrow was painted black. Light gray highlights were added to make the scarecrow look aged.

Once the Scarecrow was in front of the store the girls added the finishing touches to it. My wife painted a small red dot for the eye. It seemed to follow you as you walked by.

That is it. The Scarecrow went over very well. It won first place. To my amusement it was rumored that it was a store bought prop. Which is one reason for this page. lol

The Legend of the Ottawa Scarecrow

This is the story of Everett B. Styx Who lived in these parts
Around 1806 Everett married Emma. Whom some thought a witch
A seamstress by trade that old girl could stitch.

Emma hoped for a diamond On their anniversary day But Everett forgot In the fields he did stay

Emma wasn’t happy And a high price was paid She stitched up poor Everett A new scarecrow made

Now that was the legend But this much is true Diamonds last for ever Wife’s tempers can too