the mambi blog

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

Simple banners are the perfect touch!

When I hosted a baby shower for my soon-to-be-grandson and his lovely mommy, I knew what I wanted to do....LOTS & LOTS of banner garland!!!  Small and large ones...all in the shower colors. The setting was already so beautiful.  This simple touch was all we really needed. 

I strung them in front of the house to help guests find the party!

The process was simple.  I created a triangular template and traced it on the back of a piece of paper and then stacked several pieces together to cut on a heavy duty trimmer.  Punch some holes at the top and then string!  Don't worry about perfection...your guests won't notice!

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

Fall crafting ideas and inspiration!

I know Halloween isn't here just yet but I am so inspired to start crafting and decorating for this holiday!  I'm on my way to the craft store to pick up some supplies for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas projects.  I'm excited!!

In the meantime...I thought I'd start by posting this link from Michaels.com.  We sent in this spookily cute wreath project using paper and soft spoken.  You can find the step by step instructions and supply list HERE at Michaels.com.

Live Creatively!

Stephanie

Mother's Day card ideas

Mother's Day is right around the corner.  There's still time to whip up some quick and cute cards to show mom how much you love her.  {or direct your husband/children to this post and casually leave out the following supplies so they can make a card for you....yeah, right...please let me know if that works!} 

Or you could bring along a cute, decorated vase for the flowers that you may give your mom.  This was a simple vase we bought at the dollar store.  All it takes to dress it up is a couple bands of paper, some tulle and a cute tag.

Be inspired and create something special for your mom! 

Thanksgiving Tree

Hi everyone! Hannah here for a Thanksgiving project for you and your family.  If you're like our family we like to go around the dinner table an share something we are thankful for during Thanksgiving.  Why not put those thoughts to paper and create a beautiful memory for the family?  We've put a golden tree frame that is normally used to hang decorative Christmas ornaments to double duty and used it to hang our thankful reflections for Thanksgiving. 

Materials:
Copper Willow Specialty Paper Pad with Coordinating Cardstock
Copper Willow Clear Stamps
Copper Willow Leaf Embellishments
Fall colored rhinestone singles
Ornament Tree or fallen tree branch
Hole punch and twine

 

Instructions:

1.  Use our Copper Willow clear stamps on Copper Willow Specialty Paper Pad cardstock and cut around to create a place to write what you're thankful for. Punch a hole at the top to hang.

2.  Punch a hole in our Copper Willow Leaf Embellishments and couple with your thankful note and string with twine.  Embellish with rhinestones.  Hang on an ornament tree.  Hang additional leaf embellishments on your tree to make it look full.