That's Life: A Peculiar Place...

Hello everyone...

Welcome to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and hope you'll join us and play along. The theme for this week is all about TREES and we can't wait to see how you'll interpret this theme and we're looking forward to all your makes!

For my project, and with October only a couple of days away, I decided it was time to start making some Halloween decor pieces and I created a Stampers Anonymous Etcetera Panel, using some of the brand new seasonal idea-ology from Tim Holtz.

It's no secret that I love Halloween and I LOVE idea-ology, so this just had to be done and I used some of my favourite products from the release to create this piece, including a touch of Christmas...yes, those Alpine trees are not just for the Holidays, they can be for all year round!

So, let's get started because it's time to share all the details of this panel...

ETCETERA PANEL

For this make, I used the 6" x 8.5" Etcetera Panel and covered the edges with Tim's Halloween Design Tape from a previous release and I'm lucky to still have in my stash but you can use any design tape trims that you might have.

I then covered the panel with paper from the Halloween Backdrops 2025 pack. I chose the gorgeous harlequin pattern.

After cutting my paper to size, I ripped and tore around the edges, machine stitched a border and then adhered the paper to my panel with Matte Collage Medium. I then applied a coat of the medium over the paper surface to seal it.

I applied Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edges and blended out any harsh lines with my finger.

At the top of the panel, I wanted to add some Etcetera Trims and chose a combination of the Scalloped Trim and the Web Trim, both in the largest size.

I covered the scalloped trim with a polka dot paper from the Halloween Backdrops pack and used the Decorative Trims die to die cut the paper to fit the trim perfectly.

I fixed the covered trim into position across the top of my panel.

I then took the Web Trim and painted this with Black Soot Distress Paint. Once dry, I fixed this over the top of the Scalloped Trim, allowing the web to overlap the top edge of the panel.

When the trim is dry and fixed firmly into position, I added some Black Opaque Texture Paste. I stippled the paste onto the surface and then let this dry completely before applying a small amount of wax to accentuate the texture.

Across the top of the panel, tucked under the trims, I used some of the gorgeous ideao-ology Fringe. I love the fact that Tim has bought the two toned version back, and the orange and black combo worked so well on this piece.

I cut a strip of the fringe to fit across my panel. To create the ruffle, I rolled it gently between the palms of my two hands. Once I have the desired effect, I applied a spritz of Antique Linen Distress Spritz to add a touch of vintage shimmer and then used a hot glue gun to fix this across the top edge of my panel.

Finally, I added some metal hardware and used the two pieces of the idea-ology foliage, together with one of the skull and crossbones from the Halloween Adorments pack.

I painted these with a combination of Antique Bronze, Crackling Campfire and Black Soot Distress Paint to create the gold tone effect and then attached them in the centre of the web trim.

TREES

With the panel complete, I moved onto the scene and I began with the trees.

I used Black Soot Distress Stain to colour each tree, gently spritzing the trees until they are covered.

Dab away any excess ink by rolling them in a paper towel and then allow to dry thoroughly,

Once these are dry, I then added the glitter and painted the bases.

First, I applied some Glossy Accents to my craft sheet, spread it out a little and then rolled the trees in the medium. Working quickly, I sprinkled the combined Rock Candy Chunky and Clear Glitters over the trees to cover them and create some vintage sparkle.

I then painted the wooden bases with Black Soot Distress Paint, let this dry and then added some white Gesso stripes.

BUILDING UP THE SCENE

To create the layers and focal point, I used foam pads to attach a Halloween Ephemera piece from the Layer and Paper Dolls pack and using foam pads for some height, I positioned this onto the centre of my panel before attaching a second Decorative Trim to form a ledge underneath. Once again the trim is covered with die cut polka dot paper from the Halloween Backdrops set.

I used two paper dolls from the same Halloween Layer and Paper Doll pack and colour tinted these with Distress Crayons.

In the girl's hand, you'll notice she is holding a spider and for this, I pierced a hole with a needle and then threaded some cotton through, securing it at the back of the paper doll. I then attached the spider adornment to the end of the cotton thread and painted this with black soot and Candied Apple Distress Paint.

I fixed the papers dolls into position using foam pads and then added the top hat to the boy, which is taken from the Halloween Sticker Book. To complete the ledge, I added some moss and some bouquet findings flowers, that I dyed with some Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain.

I then attached a die cut bat that I had on my craft table from a previous project and some Ephemera pieces...the number "31"....

...and the "Warning" label on the right hand side of the panel, which I covered with some cello sticker tape.

I placed the trees on either side of the paper dolls, attaching them to the ledge with Matte collage Medium before attaching moss along the length of the ledge.

Finally I used the Halloween Word Plaque, "Peculiar and Curious Things" and using the same combination of paints as I used on the previous metal work, I added the colour to the plaque. I then used Gold Wax by Lisa Horton to accentuate the wording.

I attached the plaque beneath the ledge, and added a hardware head to either side.

So, that's my project finished and I hope you love the piece I've made.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....