the mambi blog

Holiday Tag #5

Holiday Tag #4

Holiday Tag #3

let it snow.  let it snow.  let it snow.

Holiday Tag #2

Tis the season indeed!

Holiday tag #1

Suezi's at it again!  12 cute holiday tag ideas are coming your way! 

Where to use your tags, you ask?  We've got some ideas....

1. Tie them on a gift...of course.
2. Hang them from your tree.
3. Attach them to homemade jams or other gifts from the kitchen.  Yum!
4. Add a pocket to the back to create a gift card or money holder.  Oh yeah!
5. String them together and hang from your mantle.

Those are just a few ideas. 

And the best part is....11 more are coming your way!!

HO HO HO!!

Christmas crafting - BIG idea #3

Our designer extraordinaire, Suezi Gurzi, created these whimsical trees and I just love them!  They're perfect for a centerpiece or adorning your mantle.

Wanna make some of your own??  Download the project sheet to find out how!

Download Whimsical Christmas Trees - Project Sheet

OR follow the directions here:

PROJECT TITLE:
Whimsical Christmas Trees
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DESIGNED BY:
Suezi Gurzi
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INSTRUCTIONS:
12” Tree:
    After choosing four different coordinating papers from pad, trim eight 2” x 12” strips from each pattern.
Note: you will need two pieces of paper for each pattern. Punch along one 12” edge on each sheet with your decorative edge punch then run each strip through the crimper. Measure and mark vertically on cone in 1” increments. Starting at the bottom of the cone, secure your first strip at the bottom 1” measurement with a push pin into the cone. Note: the paper will overhang at bottom. Gather paper as you go and at each gather secure with a push pin. As each strip ends, start the same process with the same paper trying to make it look like one continuous piece per layer. Continue to create each layer the same beginning at the next 1” mark alternating different patterns with each layer. Punch 1” scallop circle and hot glue to the top of the cone.

9” Tree:
    Continue same method for this tree trimming only 7 strips of each patterned paper.

6” Tree:
    Continue same method for this tree, choosing only three coordinating papers and trimming only 6 strips of each patterned paper.

Tree toppers:
    Twist red or green pipe cleaner to measure about 2”. Punch through top of each tree. Choose left over
patterned strips, (one for each tree) accordion fold each and glue ends together. Push center flat to create a full circle flower. Using glue gun, glue center together to maintain it’s form. Punch another scalloped circle and glue in center of flower. Glue to pipe clean to create tree topper.
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MATERIALS CHECKLIST:
PADX-173, Santa’s Christmas Specialty Paper Pad by me & my BIG ideas
PADX-167, Let It Snow Specialty Paper Pad by me & my BIG ideas
3 Styrofoam cones-12”, 9” and 6” tall
Green and red pipe cleaners
Push pins
Glue gun
Decorative edge punch, 1 ½’ scallop circle punch and crimper
Ruler, scissors and paper trimmer

Christmas crafting - BIG idea #2

Our mambiCHIPS are filled with so many great chipboard embellishments...the possibilities are endless.  These Christmas characters are some of my favorites.  I wanted to turn them into ornaments. 

No problem!

1. Punch a small hole in the top of each piece.

2. Add metal ornament hanger.

3. Tie a bow around the hanger.

That's it.  Super simple.  Super cute. 

These would also be great tied around wrapped gifts or attached to a plate of homebaked goodies.

Joyful Christmas Card...a great Facebook share

I just fell in love with the creativity and simplicity of this card.  It was made by one of our Facebook fans, Amanda Hansen Colman, and shared on our page this morning!  She used mambiCHIPS, our chipboard embellishments, to create the word JOY on this card!   LOVE.  LOVE.  LOVE!  Thanks for sharing Amanda!!

Christmas crafting...BIG idea #1

Looking for a quick way to personalize a hostess gift?  How about adding some rhinestone stickers and a easy bow to a bottle of wine.  No need for a bag or tag....just stick and be on your way to join in the festivites!

Halloween mantle decorations...part 2

 

The Halloween mantle is coming along spookily!  I have a few more finishing touches to add before I'm ready to declare it finished.  So far, I'm loving it!

My second phase went a little something like this...

1. Find a funky mirror that I could paint glossy black!

This one would do just fine!

I taped off the mirror part and started spraying away. 

Abracadabra!!!!

And because the paint I was using had a matte finish....I topped it off with a glossy coat.

 

Perfect!

2. Cover wooden letters that spelled BOO with our specialty foil paper. 

I used Mod Podge to stick it down and then trimmed the contour with an X-Acto knife.

After the glue dried, I sanded the edges and painted the backs & insides black.  I love that you don't have to be too careful with your painting.  A little black on the edges and front just seems to fit the occasion.

3. Add more glitz and bling of course!

A few years ago, I covered 3 fake pumpkins with glitter.  This year I wanted to give them an equally sparkly friend. 

So....I painted another fake pumpkin black and covered it with orange rhinestones.

4. Arrange all decorations on the mantle.

I still want to add a mini banner and spiderwebs and then I'll post the finished project.

Happy Decorating!

live creatively.

stephanie