What We Got For Christmas

 Hey Y'all!

I always enjoy seeing what others got for holidays/events, so each year I share my husband and  I's. If that's not something for you, that's cool. Just skip this one!

From each other:

Chris got me- TooFaced Snow Globe Eyeshadow Palettes, and the lip balms, and a leather backpack.

I got him- Diablo 4, and a few other little things.

We got the van- Lots of tools, headlights, dash cam, idle pully, and I don't remember what else.

From Family:

Chris got a very nice, warm shacket and pj pants plus $50 from my Sis and family. From Mom he got a box of pretty rocks (sea shells) and $100.

I got this crossbody bag, and $50 from Sis, and this tumbler filled with $100 from Mom.

We've spent some of the money on a nice lunch, and a couple pair of comfy pants with pockets each.

Favorite gift we gave? Easily the funniest was the Marc Jacobs perfume to Mom, and Sis got her the exact same one.

What'd you get? Share in the comments below.

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Day In The Life (AKA Goofy Pics Of Chris, The Husband)

 Hey Y'all!

We did make it, and the upstairs is empty:

Now we're finishing up downstairs, and separating the take, keep, and trash...

Today we started the day watching YouTube, and eating breakfast in bed (in the house, so really just a memory foam mattress that we'll eventually toss, on the floor).

After breakfast I did a couple loads of laundry, and we started tackling the basement. We packed up the last few boxes, sorted out where we were going to put the storage shelves, what we were going to toss, and then loaded up the van for what is hopefully the last storage unit run!

At the storage facility:

Then we stopped for lunch, which we enjoyed in the van (it got a bit warm in there):

Afterward we had a Lowes return to do, and stopped for our Holiday freebies along the way at Fastop, Murphy, and Weigel's..

When all that was done, we headed home. Next on the agenda was making sure we had everything together for heading out tomorrow to family Christmas!

The rest of the evening we plan to rearrange our van storage, and hang out watching Christmas movies. We may even go to town and cruise the park lights.

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Can We Get This Done On Time?!? (House Tour)

 Hey Y'all!

The time is ticking by so quickly now! We're almost to picture day, Thursday morning. I still don't see how we're going to make it... Outside isn't getting done, I don't believe.

My doctors appointment today went really well though. Kidney stone is gone, and stent was removed. Slight discomfort, glad it's gone!

Here's the video:

Do you think we'll make it? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks,

The Outlands

Enjoy these never shared before pictures from previous travels...

Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo

Natural Tunnel State Park, VA

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Things Are Moving Quickly...

 Hey Y'all!

Things are moving rather quickly now, and unbeknownst to us the realtor wants the house empty by picture day. That was originally Friday afternoon, and has since been moved up to Thursday morning! 

So, all that to say there will be no How-To today. My Cricut is all packed, my computer has been delivered to the niece (the nephew has Chris'). Any craft supplies I'm not taking, or didn't sell, have already been taken to storage. The rest of the blogs for the month I plan to stay on schedule for:

18th Mon- THIS

20th Wed- House Tour

22nd Fri- DITL

25th Mon- Merry Christmas! No Blog Today.

27th Wed- What We Got For Christmas

29th Fri- Books!! What I'm Reading

1st Mon- Blog Schedule

The house is getting eerily empty, however I still can't see finishing by Wednesday night with all the other things we have to get done too. (Like doctors appointment, storage run, etc.)

There is no way we're going to get to the yard as well, so it'll have to do as is.

I didn't intend to have this be a procrastination/complaint blog....

Natural Tunnel State Park, VA

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

HMSP VA

My Answers To These 36 Questions

 Hey Y'all!

Questions can be found here:

https://thecraftyva.com/36-questions-to-help-increase-social-media-engagement-for-diy-craft-bloggers/

1. What is your number one craft tip or the best craft tip you have been given?

Use the good stuff, and there is not "right" way to craft.

2. If your craft room could get a makeover (price is not an option), what would you have done?

Matching furniture!

3.    Have you ever made a pet DIY?

Yeah. Bandana for my sisters dog for Easter. For our pup one year I made her a sweater.

4.    What holiday do you like to craft the most for? 

Halloween.

5.    What is one crafting trend that you have not liked? 

I've never been into shabby chic as a whole. The style is just not me.

6.    What is one crafting trend that you wish would make a comeback?

Have you been in a craft store? Nothing truly ever disappears completely.

7.    What is your favorite crafting tool?

So many great ones, how could I pick just one? 

8.    Do you snack while you are crafting? If so, what do you snack on?

Not typically, I'm too busy doing something- preparing mats, weeding, cleaning up for the next step, etc. I eat after.

9.    What is the best craft project you have ever made?

I don't know. I was really proud of my first layered HTV project, and the shirt still looks great! (Because of moving prep the pics are no longer on the PC, sorry I can't share.)

10.    What is the best handmade gift you have ever received?

Paintings and drawings from my nieces and nephews. 3 of my nieces are especially gifted artistically, I may be biased, but those ladies have real talent.

11.    Do you listen to music while you are crafting? If so, what do you listen to?

Yes. My Spotify playlist. It's just all my liked songs, and I'm constantly adding to it. I put it on shuffle and go!

12.    What is one crafting tool or supply that you wish you would have invented?

Any of the die cutting machines, or the latest crafting tech- I'd be a multi millionaire.

13.    Who do you think offers the best deals, Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann’s or Michaels?

Depends on what you're looking for, and when.

14.    What type of crafter are you? Are you a scrapbooker, cardmaker, do you love sewing? 

I like a little bit of everything! I've done cards, scrapbooks, vinyl crafts, other paper crafts, soap, bows, crochet, jewelry...

15.    What craft project are you currently working on?

Our Outland Adventures Shirts, and Christmas Cards.

16.    What craft supply or craft tool is currently on your wish list?

A travel bag for the Cricut Joy. She's coming with me!

17.    What craft items do you love to splurge on?

I'm not a splurger, I'm a clearance shopper, and can't pass up discounted vinyl.

18.    What was your last big purchase for your craft room?

My heat press a few years ago. 

19.    What craft supply or craft tool do you not like but everyone else loves?

Mod Podge, I don't get it.... it's watery glue.

20.    What is the hardest DIY you have ever tried?

Paper boxes, I got it in the end, but your paper has to be just the right thickness.

21.    Have you ever had a craft fail? If so, what was it?

At least once a month, lol. I share most of them on social media so check me out on the platform of your choice: https://linktr.ee/CraftinWife

22.    What is your favorite craft magazine?

Meh. I used to really like the stamping/card making ones, but they've gotten ridiculously expensive.

23.    What is your favorite craft book?

I don't have one. 

24.    What is your number one tip for organizing craft supplies?

The organization of items only need to make sense to you, if you separate things by size , type, color, etc it is all up to you.

25.    What is your favorite YouTube channel for watching craft videos?

I watch a few, but none are a stand out favorite. Any suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

26.    Have you ever sold your crafts at a craft fair or craft show? If so, what did you sell?

Yes, several. Mainly shirts, but all kids of vinyl crafts. 

27.    Share a photo of the latest craft project you are working on?

It's above! Our digital Christmas card.

28.    What are 5 craft tools or craft supplies you can’t live without?

Cricut, mat, weeding tool, vinyl, blank!

29.    When was the last time you cleaned your craft room or purged your craft supplies?

Yesterday. I sold a lot of it in July/August and have packed and purged continuously since. We're down to the end now though.

30.    What are 5 craft tools or craft supplies that you could live without?

Sizzix and all the dies, I haven't used it in quite a while. I think stickles (glitter glue) had it's moment. I'm not a huge fan of sublimation prints for crafters- where is the creativity in that? I think that's it...

31.    If you could choose your own 70% off sale at your favorite craft store, what category would you want to see 70% off?

The entire vinyl crafting section.

32.    What is the best item you have ever found on clearance at your favorite craft store?

Probably the Sizzix I don't use much anymore, but it was like $30...

33.    Do you work on craft projects when you travel?

Sometimes. I will more now :)

34.    If you could win a lifetime supply of products from your favorite craft brand, who would you choose?

Craftables Vinyl!

35.    If you could only shop at one craft store for the rest of your life, who would it be and why?

Hobby Lobby- better clearance section.

36.    If you could name a craft product or have your own crafting line, what would it be called?

I have no idea. I wouldn't want to call the line Craftin' Wife's Creations for two reasons:

1) That's a mouthful. 2) You'd really narrow down your potential customer base with a name like that.

So I'd really have to think about what I wanted my brand to "say" and what the product(s) was going to be.

Thanks for reading! If you do this questionnaire please either tag me or share the link in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife 

Not A Too Faced Holiday Collection Review

 Hey Y'all!

Sorry we've been super busy recently with #vanlife prep. Today (Wednesday) we had a meeting with the realtors for the house- they did their initial walk through, and went over all the details. We should be listed by Christmas! We've also been busy with taking furniture apart, storage runs, and cleaning...

If you're interest in that be sure to check out Outland Adventures!

As far as the TooFaced collection goes, it's pretty on par with the other holiday collections from years past. I do really like it, and am open to doing a review if you are interested. Leave a comment below and let me know.

In the mean time here are a few YouTube videos about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxZTFXwSKQ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjxWqDZVo_4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcmMCHbagjI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEK_8DPHSy4

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

How To: Create Your Own Images Within Design Space

 Hey Y'all!

The possibilities in Cricut Design Space, are really endless... with a little imagination and creativity!

Today I'll share three fairly easy Holiday image designs. For the first we'll use a combination of shapes and text, the second we'll use a single layer image and create several different layers, and lastly we'll use just text to create a new look.

ONE (Gift Tag):

We start by using the rectangle, and two triangles.. both free shapes in DS.

Rotate the triangles and align them on the center edges of each short side of the rectangle:

Once that's looking good, weld (or unite) the three pieces.

Next we'll add a text box, pick a font, and switch the text from cut to draw, and lastly choose our pen color(s):

I decided to add a few snowflakes to my gift tag, this is totally optional.

Switch the cut to draw on the snowflakes, and choose your pen color(s).

Attach the shape and your text and you have a...

Finished Gift Tag!

TWO (Shirt?):

For this one I used the Santa hat image:

We'll duplicate, and contour out each bit, for a total of three pieces.

Next add your text, choose a font, and curve the text to fit.

For this name (Coral) a 45 in the curve worked nicely, other names made need more, or less curving.

When you're ready pick out your vinyl colors and begin the cutting process!

THREE (Name Fun, Decal?):

Choose a font for your initial, or the letter of your first word...

Using text, choose a font for your name (or word(s)).

Place the text over your letter:

Select offset, and apply.

(In retrospect I'd have went a bit larger than .02)

Slice your offset and letter:

Leave the original text alone.

Once sliced you can get rid of (delete) all the offset pieces.

Choose your vinyl (or paper) colors and prepare for cutting! 

I think something like the above would be cute on a notebook, where would you place it? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

How'd Surgery Go?

 Hey Y'all!

Picture from this website:

https://www.lybrate.com/topic/kidney-stones-surgery

I had the first type, Ureteroscopy. The doctor inserted a tube, with a laser and broke the kidney stone up. He told hubby after surgery the reason nothing had moved, in the time we allowed prior to the surgery option was because it was embedded. Something he said in his career he'd never seen. I, being extra, of course had to send him into retirement with an unusual case.

(Because my stone didn't really show up well on x-ray previously the shockwave wasn't an option, since he couldn't see well enough to know where to position the equipment.)

At 7:45am I checked in, and went immediately into x-ray. From there it was on to the surgery out patient waiting room. I was in there maybe 10min. Prep time!

The nurse led me to a bed, sign papers, wipe down with the surgical wipes, and change into a gown. I then met the surgical team, got an IV and hair net. I was in there maybe half an hour.

Into the pre surgery, anesthesia room. I moved over, and got the oxygen mask and then nighty night!

I was being woken up around 9:30. I remember asking if that was it, and them saying yep. They then informed me I had a stent put in. I nodded off again, and woke to the same conversation, felt a bit deja vu. Then they wheeled me to recovery. 

I was in and out until around 10am. Then I had some water, crackers, and pain meds. I kept telling the nurse I had to pee, she said I could wait, or use the bed pan. I opted to wait. I was monitored for around an hour total, then taken upstairs to be released.

I had been warned there would be blood, but y'all! It had been a long time since I'd seen blood like that, and I was not prepared. The nurse said I could change back to my clothes at this time, and I did so. The nurse also assure me that amount of blood was normal, and it would lessen each time but 2-4 days was typical. I was given my prescriptions, discharge instructions, and on my way by 11:15am.

The first day wasn't too bad, all the hospital drugs were slowly wearing off.

Day 2, I was sore, tired, and COLD. Same for Wednesday. Today I went out for the first time, just to the grocery stores. I got a bit tired, and was sore at times but much better.

The stent will be removed on the 20th.

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Skin Care I'm Currently Using

 Hey Y'all!

Here's a link to my previous skin care blogs:

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/search?q=skincare

What have I been using?

Morning:

Cleanser- Nothing really just rinse my face with a microfiber towel.

Moisturizer-

It's either this, or another cream with SPF.

Primer-

It varies monthly, and sometimes I don't use any. Currently though it's the Primer Spray from the Wet 'n Wild Sesame Street Collection.

Lips-

Whichever generic lip balm I'm carrying. No favorites here. Currently it's a mint balm from Marshalls.

Evening:

I use one of those spin brushes 2 or 3 times a week, mine is from Vivatar.

Cleanser-

Currently I am liking this one fairly well... I've never tried a cleanser I absolutely love. Have any suggestions? Leave them in the comments below!

Moisturizer-

I love this one, and will be sad the day the bottle is empty. (I received mine through Influenster.) It's super moisturizing without being too thick or greasy feeling. (Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is another favorite of mine.)

Lips-

It is a bit goopy, so I tend to use it only right before I go lay down for the night but I do really like the lip mask.

Body- Any lotion, as it's getting closer to winter I need to find a moisturizer I really like.

Currently I use this, on occasion. It's okay, but I don't love it.

What are your skin care favorites? Let me know in the comments below.

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife