the mambi blog

frame it up!

I have several plain wooden frames laying around my studio...gathering dust.  When I saw this colorful print, I thought it would make a cheerful looking frame.  So, a quick little project ensued.

1. Paint your frame a complimentary color.  I chose white.
2. Apply a layer of mod podge or other adhesive to the front of the frame.
3. Position your paper on top of the frame.
4. Wait for the adhesive to dry....be patient with this.  Maybe check something off your to do list and then come back to the project.
5. Once completely dry, use a craft knife to trim away the excess paper from the frame.
6. Add some pizazz to the front by including ribbon, embellishments, etc.

enjoy.

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 #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

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! 

A Quick Tip : No-Brainer Shamrocks

Hi everyone!  Hannah here for a quick tip: No-Brainer Shamrocks just in time for St. Patty's Day. 

Step 1: Take a scrap piece of paper

Step 2: Fold the paper in half and draw half heart, cut along line.

Step 3: Using your heart as a stencil draw three hearts using your desired patterned paper.  **The reason why we don't want to use Step 1 and 2 to make our final hearts is because we don't want that pesky crease down the middle of our hearts.

Step 4: Arrange your 3 hearts in a shamrock fashion and use your scraps to cut out a stem.  You're done!

Apply your shamrocks to a card, scrapbook layout, school project, the outside of your kid's lunch bag, or maybe your outfit on March 17th to keep yourself from being pinched!

These MAMBI specialty cardstcok paper pads were used to make our shamrocks, First Bloom and Trick or Treat.

Write a Message of Love

One thing I love about Valentine's Day is that it's still tradition to exchange a handwritten card from one person to another (underneath all the chocolates and roses).  Remember those old fashioned things - letters, the post office, stamps!?  In a day and age when most people email, text, tweet, and everything in between it's really nice to take a breath, grab a pen, and write a note to someone you love in your own handwriting (even if it's chicken scratch!). 

I remember growing up my mom would leave notes for me in my lunch bag or sometimes I'd find a little note lying on my desk or sock drawer.  This Valentine's Day write a love note to your spouse, child, sibling, or special someone.  Our MAMBI envelopes are perfect for the job.  Each pack comes with a variety of different shaped envelopes with cards and in some beautiful designs.  Find them at your local Michael's store.   Hannah 

 

Box Kit Bonanza!

Happy New Year, everyone!  Hannah here and I'd like to share with you a Box Kit explosion from MAMBI!  There are so many box kits to choose from that I had to take two pictures to show you all of them.

Each Box Kit comes with an 8"x8" album containing 12 sleeves, 20- 8"x8" papers, a soft spoken™, a sticker sheet, a small talk™, 2 colored ribbon, and rhinestones or brads!  Whoa!  Plus each Kit is on a different theme so they'll be great as a gift too.  Check them out at a Jo-Ann store near you!

I used the Baby Boy Kit to make a gift for a friend of mine who just had a baby.  She's definitely doesn't have time to scrap so I did the work for her and all she has to do is add photos.  To make it easier for her I used post-its to indicate what size picture to put on the on page and where.  Here are some of the layouts from the ablum I made for her. 

Bling Your Ornaments

Here's a super simple and easy idea from a MAMBI employee, Anna.  Take your plain ol' shiny ornaments and add a little BLING!  Use our MAMBI rhinestones to peel and stick your way to updated ornaments.  What a great idea!