Chapter 4- The Map of Thread

 

Chapter Four – The Map of Thread

Want to start at the beginning?

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2025/09/bonus-blog-thread-trail-chapter-one.html

Amanda didn’t tell Chris right away.

It wasn’t that she wanted to keep secrets; it was just… how do you explain to your husband that the things you make are stepping out of the Wildebeest and into the real world? That stitches could bloom into sunflowers, or that vinyl mugs could echo back as invitations from strangers?

So instead, she tested it again. Quietly.

That afternoon, while Chris filmed a walking tour of the little town square, Amanda stayed behind at the RV with her sketchbook. She doodled a winding road that led to a cottage under twinkling stars, then cut a vinyl sticker of the design. She smoothed it onto the cover of her notebook, pressing her palm against it as though sealing in the thought.

The next morning, when they drove out, Amanda spotted it: a narrow road curling off the main highway, one they hadn’t seen on the map. And just at the bend stood a small cottage, whitewashed with ivy climbing its walls, smoke curling lazily from the chimney.

“Should we check it out?” Chris asked, slowing the RV.

Amanda’s heart raced, but she only said, “Yes.”

The cottage turned out to be a roadside café, run by an older couple who served blueberry scones and poured tea into mismatched floral mugs. The walls were covered in hand-painted constellations. Amanda stared at the painted stars, her notebook heavy in her lap. I made this, she thought. Or maybe… it was already here, waiting for me.

The couple welcomed them like old friends, slipping extra scones into a paper bag for the road. As they left, the woman pressed something into Amanda’s hand: a spool of thread the color of twilight.

“For your next project,” she said with a wink.

Amanda sat back in the passenger seat, cradling the spool. She hadn’t told anyone about her crafts coming to life. And yet here was a stranger, offering her thread, as if she already knew.

The Wildebeest hummed back onto the road. Chris tapped the steering wheel, lost in thought. Amanda stared at the twilight-colored thread, the feeling blossoming in her chest like the sunflower she had stitched.

Maybe her journey wasn’t just about the places they chose to stop.

Maybe the road was beginning to choose her.

 

The Hard Truth About Crafting in an RV (But Why I Still Love It)

Hey crafty friends,

Amanda here — your Craftin’ Wife — and today I want to talk about something a little more real: the hardships of crafting in an RV. I know I usually share the fun, glittery, joy-filled parts of creating on the road (and there are so many), but let’s be honest — it’s not always sunshine and hot glue.

Living in a tiny space full-time means there are definitely some struggles when it comes to keeping creativity alive. So, in the spirit of transparency (and maybe a little therapy), here are a few of the challenges I run into all the time — and why I keep crafting anyway.

---

🎯 1. Space is never on your side

Crafting takes space. Even the smallest project needs room to spread out materials, cut, glue, or just not knock everything off the table with your elbow. In the RV, every inch has a job — so crafting means sacrificing dinner table space, the bed, or even the front passenger seat. Sometimes I get halfway through a project and realize I literally have nowhere to put it down.

---

📦 2. Storage is a game of Tetris

Keeping supplies organized is a full-time puzzle. Bins are stacked on bins, things are stored inside of things, and I have to remember where everything is all the time. Want the purple glitter pen? It’s probably in the pouch inside the box under the sewing kit behind the first aid box. Fun.

---

💨 3. Clean-up is no joke

There’s no "craft room door" to close. If I leave out a mess, it’s not just a mess — it’s in our living room, kitchen, and bedroom all at once. Cleaning up mid-project just to eat dinner is a daily battle. And don’t get me started on stray beads, scraps of vinyl, or the occasional speck of glitter that haunts me.

---

🌧️ 4. Weather can ruin the vibe

When it’s rainy, windy, or just too hot, outdoor crafting (my saving grace) becomes impossible. And if we’re boondocking and conserving power? Forget about the Cricut or glue gun. Some days, I have to admit defeat and save the creativity for later.

---

🧠 5. Creative burnout is real

When space is tight, organization is tough, and there’s always something else to do (laundry, dishes, editing, driving...), it’s easy to lose motivation. Inspiration doesn’t always hit when I finally have the time. And that’s okay — but it is hard.

---

💖 Why I Still Do It Anyway

Because I love it. Creating something with my hands, adding beauty to the everyday, and sharing it with all of you makes the hassle worth it. Crafting is my joy, my escape, my way of holding onto “me” even when life is chaotic or space is cramped.

Some days I get frustrated. Some days I just need a break. But even when it’s hard, I keep creating — because this life on the road and the art I make in it? It’s mine. And that’s something worth making room for.

---

What’s the biggest creative challenge you’ve faced in a small space? Let’s vent, share tips, and support each other — we’re all just doing our best in this glitter-covered life.

Stay crafty (even when it’s hard),
Amanda, The Craftin’ Wife 💖

 

Fall Lipsticks I’m Loving This Season

By Amanda, The Craftin’ Wife

Fall is officially here, and with it comes all the cozy sweaters, pumpkin-scented candles, and, of course, the perfect lip colors. I love switching up my lipstick shades with the seasons—it’s such an easy way to feel festive and put-together, even when life on the road is full of tight spaces and busy days.

This season, I’ve been loving shades that feel rich, warm, and a little mysterious—the kinds of colors that pair perfectly with fall sunsets and pumpkin spice lattes.

My Top Fall Picks

1. Deep Burgundy

A classic fall favorite! Deep burgundy is bold but versatile, perfect for nights out or cozy evenings in. I love pairing it with a soft neutral eye so the lips can really take center stage.

2. Rusty Orange

Orange isn’t just for Halloween! A muted, rusty orange adds a playful, autumnal vibe without being overwhelming. It pairs beautifully with cream-colored sweaters and scarves.

3. Warm Mauve

If you’re looking for something subtle but still seasonal, a warm mauve hits the sweet spot. It’s flattering on almost every skin tone and works well for daytime adventures or casual photos for the blog.

4. Classic Red with a Twist

You can never go wrong with red, but this season I’m leaning toward shades with brown or brick undertones. They feel cozy, grounded, and perfect for pumpkin patch or cornfield photos.

5. Soft Berry

Berry tones are my go-to for days when I want something just a little romantic. They’re a bit softer than burgundy, but still rich enough to feel like fall.

---

Road-Friendly & Budget-Friendly Picks

Since living in our mini bus means space is limited, I’ve rounded up some favorites that are easy to store, long-lasting, and won’t break the bank:

• Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink – Long-wear, no-touchup-needed, perfect for busy travel days.

• Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede – Creamy texture, rich color, and compact enough to fit in a small bag.

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – Comes in gorgeous fall shades, very lightweight for tight spaces.

• e.l.f. Velvet Matte Lipstick – Affordable, silky, and great for multi-use purposes.

• Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème – Highly pigmented and feels luxe on a budget.

---

Quick Tips for Road-Life Beauty

Living full-time in our mini bus means my makeup bag has to be practical and compact—but that doesn’t mean compromising on fun! Here’s how I keep my lipstick game strong on the road:

• Use a small organizer: A small makeup bag or acrylic organizer keeps all your favorite lipsticks visible and accessible. No digging through drawers!

• Multi-use products: Some lipsticks double as cream blush or eye color—perfect for saving space.

• Check the lighting: Natural light is the best for picking your shade. Thankfully, our bus has lots of windows, so I can see exactly how the color looks in daylight.

---

Final Thoughts

Fall is all about embracing warmth and richness, not just in clothing and décor, but in your makeup too. These shades make me feel cozy, confident, and inspired—whether I’m crafting a new project, taking photos for the blog, or sipping coffee on a crisp autumn morning in the RV.

What are your favorite lip colors for fall? I’d love to hear your picks in the comments below!

---

XOXO,
Amanda
The Craftin’ Wife

How To: DIY Window Clings

 

Cricut Halloween Decor: DIY Window Clings & 3D Ceiling Bats for Your RV

Hey crafty friends! 🎃

Halloween is sneaking up, and living full-time in our converted mini bus means I have to get creative with decorations. With lots of windows and very little wall space, I wanted something that felt festive, fun, and totally RV-friendly. Enter: Cricut window clings and 3D ceiling bats!

Spooky Window Clings

Window clings are still a top pick—they’re easy, temporary, and perfect for the many windows in Wildebeest.

Supplies:

• Cricut machine

• Window cling vinyl (black, orange, white, or even glow-in-the-dark!)

• Scraper tool

• Weeding tool

• Cricut Design Space Halloween shapes

Steps:

1. Pick Your Design – Small ghosts, pumpkins, and flying witches work best for RV windows.

2. Cut Your Vinyl – Mirror the design for proper orientation on glass.

3. Weed the Design – Carefully remove excess vinyl.

4. Transfer & Apply – Use transfer tape to stick designs to your windows.

Pro tip: Apply clings only when parked—remove them before driving.

Creepy 3D Ceiling Bats

Instead of sticking bats to walls, I made 3D bats that hang from the ceiling, creating a spooky effect without taking up space or risking damage.

Supplies:

• Cricut machine

• Black cardstock (or thin black vinyl)

• Fishing line or thread

• Removable ceiling hooks (like 3M Command hooks)

• Cricut tools

Steps:

1. Choose Your Bat Designs – Pick a mix of small and medium sizes. Small bats will give the illusion of distance.

2. Cut & Score – Use the Cricut to cut and score bats for folding. Fold the wings slightly for a 3D look.

3. Attach Hanging Line – Tape or glue a piece of fishing line to each bat.

4. Hang from Ceiling – Place removable hooks along the ceiling trim or overhead compartments. Adjust the line length to make some bats appear closer and others “further away.”

Tip: The 3D effect works best if you stagger the bats at different heights—it looks like they’re flying around your RV!

Quick RV-Friendly Tips

• Stick to lightweight materials so decorations don’t swing too much while driving.

• Keep removable hooks and adhesive gentle to avoid damaging your ceiling.

• Store decorations flat or in a small bin under a seat when traveling.

Even in our tiny moving space, I love how festive the RV feels with just a few simple, lightweight Cricut creations. From window clings that catch the light to bats flying overhead, it’s the perfect Halloween vibe on the road!

Share your RV-friendly Halloween decor with me—I can’t wait to see your mini haunted spaces! 🖤

Happy crafting,
Amanda
Craftin’ Wife’s Creations

Pictorial:

Using window cling is super easy with Cricut!

Let's get into it:

Supplies-

Window Cling (Whichever colors you choose, I'll be using Orange. Also available in Black, Frosted White, and Red.)

Cricut w/ Design Space Loaded

Cutting Mat

Weeding Tool

You can use your imagination and dream up any scene you'd like, I chose this DS image:

Add image(s) to your canvas, and size them to fit your space.

When choosing images be mindful of weeding, and piecing it back together.

Make it!

There is a window cling setting, ready to go.

On the Explore Air 2 turn the dial to custom, and search for the correct setting (window cling).

All ready to cut!

Load material to mat. I used the standard grip mat.

Cut in progress:

Finished cutting, unload the mat.

Weed your design, and you're ready to place where ever you'd like!

 

Chapter Three – Stitches in the Air

Chapter 1- https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2025/09/bonus-blog-thread-trail-chapter-one.html

Chapter 2- https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2025/09/chapter-two-festival-glow.html

Amanda didn’t notice the magic right away.

The night after the festival, she stayed up later than usual, her hands moving in their familiar rhythm. Hook, loop, pull through. The soft yarn—autumn orange and gold from the skein she’d bought earlier—warmed her fingers. She wasn’t even sure what she was making yet, just letting the stitches flow.

Outside, the campground was quiet, the kind of silence that made the world feel hollow except for the crickets. Chris had gone to bed hours ago, but Amanda’s mind buzzed with ideas. Every stitch is a story. The phrase clung to her, urging her on.

When she finally set the piece down, she realized she had crocheted a small square: a sunflower. Not just in color, but in shape. The petals curved outward, bright and alive.

Amanda smiled to herself. She hadn’t planned that. But it was pretty.

She set it on the tiny table by the RV’s window and went to bed.

---

In the morning, the sunflower square was gone.

Amanda blinked at the empty spot, convinced she’d misplaced it. She searched her craft bin, the floor, even outside near the picnic table. Nothing.

Then she noticed something strange. By the gravel road that wound past their campsite, a single sunflower had bloomed. Tall, golden, impossibly bright.

Amanda froze, her heart hammering. There had been no sunflower there yesterday.

She stepped closer. The petals looked exactly like the stitches she had made. Each curve, each arc—familiar, as if her hands had shaped them not in yarn, but in soil.

A laugh bubbled in her throat, half disbelieving. “Okay,” she whispered. “That’s… weird.”

That evening, she tested it. She pulled out her vinyl sheets, cut a design onto a blank mug: Home is Where the Thread Begins. She set it on the counter and waited.

The next morning, a little paper flyer was stuck under the RV’s wiper blade. Amanda pulled it free. It was for a quilting circle, scheduled for that weekend—words that mirrored her design. Home is where the thread begins.

Amanda sat on the RV step, mug in her lap, flyer in her hand. The air felt different around her, like the road itself had leaned in to whisper back.

Her crafts weren’t just souvenirs anymore.

They were becoming something else.

Something alive.