🌿 DIY Decorative Storage (Cute + Functional)

When you live tiny, storage has to work a little harder. In the Wildebeest (our 1990 Ford E350 shuttle bus home), every inch matters. If something takes up space, it better serve a purpose — and if it can look cute while doing it, even better.

Today’s project is all about DIY decorative storage that keeps clutter under control while still fitting the cozy, creative vibe of a tiny home. The best part? It’s simple, inexpensive, and easy to customize depending on what you need to store.

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✨ What We’re Making

A decorative storage container that can hold anything from craft supplies and makeup brushes to cords, snacks, or random little things that always seem to float around a small space.

Think of it as organization disguised as decor.

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🧰 Supplies

You can use whatever you already have on hand:

• Small basket, tin, or sturdy container

• Fabric, scrapbook paper, or decorative napkins

• Mod Podge or craft glue

• Paint (optional)

• Ribbon, twine, lace, or trim

• Hot glue gun

• Clear sealant (optional for durability)

Upcycling works great here. Old coffee cans, jars, or thrifted baskets are perfect.

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🪄 Step-by-Step

1. Prep Your Container

Clean your container and remove labels if needed.
If you're painting it, apply a base coat and let it dry completely.

2. Add Decorative Layers

Cut fabric or paper to fit the sides of your container.
Attach it using Mod Podge or craft glue and smooth out bubbles.

3. Dress It Up

Glue ribbon, lace, or twine around the rim or middle for extra texture and personality.

4. Seal It (Optional)

Brush on a thin coat of Mod Podge or clear sealant to protect the design.

5. Fill It With Something Useful

Now the fun part — put it to work! Try using it for:

• Makeup brushes

• Crochet hooks or knitting needles

• Pens and markers

• Charging cables

• Small craft supplies

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🚌 Tiny-Living Tip

In a small space, vertical storage is your best friend. Use decorative containers on shelves, windowsills, or small wall racks to keep surfaces clear but still stylish.

Pretty storage makes it easier to stay organized — and when your home is the size of a bus, that makes a huge difference.

 

🎉 Creative Confessions: Craft Fails & Lessons Learned

Let’s be honest.

Not every craft turns out like the perfectly lit, algorithm-blessed masterpiece we saved on Pinterest at 1:17am.

Some of them turn into glue disasters.
Some of them warp.
Some of them shed glitter for the next six months (the horror).
And some of them… quietly disappear into the trash before anyone ever sees them.

And today? We’re talking about those.

Because not everything is Pinterest-perfect — and we’re embracing that.

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💥 The Time I Trusted “Just Eyeball It”

There is a dangerous level of confidence that comes from owning a hot glue gun.

You start thinking things like:

• “I don’t need to measure.”

• “It’ll even out.”

• “No one will notice.”

They notice.

Crooked vinyl?
Off-center stencil?
A wreath that leans like it survived a windstorm?

Lesson learned: Measuring takes 2 extra minutes. Regret lasts forever.

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✨ The Glitter Incident

As someone who lives in a 1990 E350 shuttle bus (hi, Wildebeest 👋), I should know better.

Loose. Glitter. Is. Illegal.

One tiny overenthusiastic shake and suddenly:

• The dinette sparkles.

• My clothes sparkle.

• My coffee sparkles.

• Possibly my soul sparkles.

Six months later? Still finding it.

Lesson learned: If it’s not sealed, it’s a threat.

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🧵 The “I Can Fix It” Phase

You ever mess up… and instead of stopping… you double down?

Add more paint.
Add more ribbon.
Add another layer.
Maybe distress it.
Call it “intentional.”

Sometimes it works.

Sometimes it looks like the craft equivalent of putting a band-aid on a sinking ship.

Lesson learned: Walking away for 10 minutes saves projects. And sanity.

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📦 The Small-Space Reality Check

RV crafting is not for the faint of heart.

There is no craft room.
There is no “I’ll just leave this out to dry overnight.”
There is only:

• The dinette.

• A folding table (if we’re fancy).

• And the constant need to clean up before dinner.

I’ve absolutely ruined projects because I had to move them too soon.

Lesson learned: Plan around space. Not just inspiration.

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💄 When It’s Just… Not Your Vibe

Sometimes the craft turns out exactly like the tutorial.

And you still hate it.

It looked cute online.
It looked aesthetic in theory.
It does not look cute in Wildebeest.

Lesson learned: Not every trend fits your style — and that’s okay.

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💛 The Truth About Craft Fails

Here’s the thing:

Every “fail” taught me something:

• Measure first.

• Seal the glitter.

• Step away before overworking it.

• Respect the space you’re creating in.

• Trust your own style.

And honestly?

Those imperfect projects?
They’re the reason the good ones feel so good.

So if you’ve got a half-finished wreath in a bin…
A paint pour that went muddy…
Or a DIY that looks slightly possessed…

You’re in good company.

We’re not aiming for Pinterest-perfect.

We’re aiming for creative, brave, and willing to try again.

And that’s way more fun anyway.

 

🍂 Fall Fun for All Ages: Craftin’ Wife’s Printable Fall Scavenger Hunt

Hey crafty friends,
Amanda here — your Craftin’ Wife — and today I’ve got a little extra magic for your fall season! Whether you’re on the road in your RV, camping in a national park, or just enjoying your backyard, this fall scavenger hunt is perfect for kids, adults, and the young at heart.

It’s a great way to get outside, explore, and notice all the little details that make autumn so special — plus it doubles as a fun family activity or a solo adventure. 🍁

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🌟 How It Works:

1. Print the scavenger hunt.

2. Grab a pencil or pen.

3. Head outside — in your yard, a park, or even a campground.

4. Look for each item on the list and check it off as you go!

You can make it competitive, timed, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll. Don’t forget to take photos along the way — fall is too pretty not to capture!

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🍁 What You’ll Find on the Scavenger Hunt:

• Red, yellow, or orange leaf

• Pinecone or acorn

• Something crunchy underfoot

• A bird flying or perched nearby

• Animal tracks in the dirt or mud

• Something with a pumpkin or gourd pattern

• A fall flower (like mums or asters)

• A piece of “nature art” — a pattern in leaves, bark, or rocks

• Something soft (moss, fuzzy leaf, or feather)

• A spooky or fun fall decoration

• A squirrel or other woodland creature

• Your favorite smell of fall (bonus: describe it!)

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💡 Craftin’ Wife Tips:

• Make it extra fun: Add small prizes or stickers for completing each hunt.

• Go digital: Take photos for a “Fall Scavenger Hunt Gallery” to share online.

• RV-friendly: Keep a small bag or basket to collect items like pinecones or leaves — just don’t take anything prohibited from parks!

• Creative twist: After the hunt, use collected items to make a mini craft — leaf art, pinecone décor, or a seasonal centerpiece.

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🎨 Download Your Printable:

Print as many copies as you need, or laminate and reuse each year. It’s perfect for road trips, fall festivals, or cozy afternoons outside.

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🍂 There you have it! A simple, fun, and engaging activity to celebrate the best season of the year.

Have fun hunting, crafting, and discovering all the little wonders of fall. And don’t forget to share your finds with me — I love seeing everyone’s creativity in action!

Stay crafty and curious,
Amanda 💖
Craftin’ Wife’s Creations

ShadowWolf Studios (aka My Husband, author Chris Outland) Appreciation Blog

 

Two Creatives, One Road: The Joy of Living and Dreaming Together

Hey friends,

It’s Amanda — your Craftin’ Wife — and today’s blog is a little extra special. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on just how lucky I am to live this wild, wonderful life not just as a full-time traveler, but as one-half of a creative duo.

Life on the road is an adventure on its own, but doing it with someone who gets your creative soul? That’s next-level magic.

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🎮 Meet My Favorite Human: Chris (aka ShadowWolf Studios)

Let’s take a second to gush about my husband, best friend, tech genius, editor, co-pilot, late-night brainstorm buddy, and creative partner in chaos — Chris, the brilliant mind behind ShadowWolf Studios.

Chris isn’t just a gamer or coder — he’s a storyteller at heart. He crafts digital worlds with the same passion and depth I bring to my handmade creations. Whether he’s writing lore for a game, a new book, or building something entirely from scratch, he’s always pushing himself to make something authentic and original.

And the best part? We get to inspire each other every single day.

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🧠 Creative Energy on Wheels

We don’t just share a home — we share ideas. Our RV is a rolling studio, full of yarn, vinyl scraps, game notes, camera gear, notebooks, chargers, and a thousand dreams-in-progress. It’s chaotic, yes — but it’s ours. Some mornings he’s tinkering with code while I’m planning a craft tutorial. Other nights, we’re curled up editing a video together, laughing at bloopers and brainstorming the next big thing.

We celebrate each other’s wins — whether it’s a perfectly weeded Cricut design or a finished game build. And when the creative burnout hits? We remind each other to rest, reset, and refuel — usually with tacos and bad movies.

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🚐 Creative Living = Creative Loving

When two creatives share a life, the love looks different. It’s in the way we make space for each other’s passions, the way we hype each other up, and how we see the world through two totally different lenses — and still choose to walk the same road.

Chris supports my messy craft chaos, listens to my rambling ideas, and always reminds me that what I create matters. And I do the same for him — even when I don’t understand what half the buttons on his keyboard do. 😂

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💡 Inspiration Around Every Bend

Traveling full-time feeds our creative fire. Every small town, roadside oddity, quiet forest, or eerie gas station sparks something in one (or both!) of us. We capture it, sketch it, write it, build from it.

We’ve learned that inspiration doesn’t come from waiting — it comes from doing, from seeing, from being out there together, chasing it.

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❤️ So Yeah… Being Two Creatives on the Road? It’s Everything.

It’s messy and magical. It’s exhausting and energizing. It’s full of glitter and glitches, crafts and code, detours and dreams.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything — especially not the man who drives this big ol’ bus, cooks dinner while I’m editing, makes me laugh when the Cricut eats my vinyl, and never once told me to pack fewer craft supplies (even when he really should have).

Here’s to the road, the art, the chaos — and to Chris, the ShadowWolf who keeps this Craftin’ Wife dreaming big.

💖
Amanda
Craftin’ Wife

The Magic of Creativity — Why It’s the Best Superpower We’ve Got

 Hey Y'all,

I decided to switch from another DS projects blog, to more about the joys of creativity in general.

Hello, lovely friends!

I’m Amanda — the Craftin’ Wife behind this little corner of creativity. If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey of crafting, DIY beauty, and making things with my hands, it’s this: having creative hobbies isn’t just a way to pass the time — it’s a way to nourish the soul.

There’s something magical about sitting down with a fresh project, whether it’s a new makeup look, a handmade decoration, or a crafty tutorial to share with you all. It’s like the world slows down for a moment, and all the noise fades away. The mess of glitter (okay, not loose glitter — that stuff is the herpes of crafting, trust me!) and paint, the hum of the sewing machine, the soft swish of a makeup brush — all of it becomes a soothing rhythm that helps me recharge.

Creativity lets me express parts of myself words alone can’t capture. When I create, I feel connected to something bigger — a community of makers, dreamers, and doers. It’s a place where imperfections become beautiful, where trial and error are just part of the fun, and where every little success feels like a personal victory.

Life on the road with my husband Chris means our space is limited, but it has never limited our creativity. If anything, it’s made me more resourceful and inspired me to share DIY projects and beauty hacks that are easy, practical, and perfect for busy days. Whether you’re crafting at home, on the road, or anywhere in between, there’s joy in making something uniquely yours.

I just want to gush about something that makes life so much brighter: creativity.
Not just in the “make pretty things” way (though, yes please 🙋‍♀️), but in the solve problems, dream bigger, and make life sparkle kind of way.

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✨ Creativity Makes the World More Fun

Let’s be real — the world can be a little gray sometimes. Creativity is like the glitter (loose glitter haters, stay with me 😆) that lands exactly where you want it. Whether it’s painting, sewing, designing a new makeup look, writing a story, or upcycling thrift store finds, it adds a layer of joy to the everyday.

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💡 It’s Not Just for “Artists”

You don’t need to be a painter, sculptor, or Etsy seller to be creative. Creativity shows up when you:

• Rearrange furniture for a fresh feel.

• Come up with a clever way to store craft supplies in an RV.

• Figure out how to make dinner from five random ingredients.

• Find a way to make a gift special without spending a dime.

If you’ve ever thought, “Huh, what if I tried it this way?” — congratulations, you’re a creative thinker.

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🌱 It Grows with You

Creativity isn’t a limited resource. In fact, the more you use it, the more it grows.
Every time you challenge yourself with a new project or experiment, you’re giving your brain a mini workout. That’s why artists keep finding fresh ideas — they’ve trained themselves to look at the world in what ifs instead of what is.

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💖 Creativity Brings People Together

Some of my best memories have come from sharing ideas with others — swapping beauty tips, crafting together at the picnic table, or bouncing story concepts around with Chris while we’re on the road. Creativity is contagious in the best possible way.

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🛠 You Can Use It Anywhere

The best part? Creativity doesn’t care about your location, budget, or background. You can be in a high-rise apartment, a tiny RV, or a cabin in the woods — if you’ve got imagination, you’ve got everything you need.

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🌟 Final Thoughts

Creativity is our human superpower. It’s what turns a foam pumpkin into a centerpiece, a bare face into a masterpiece, and a quiet afternoon into a memory.
So the next time inspiration strikes — whether it’s for a big, bold project or a tiny tweak to your routine — run with it. That’s where the magic happens.

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💬 Tell me — what’s the last creative thing you did?
I’d love to celebrate your ideas in the comments!

Stay inspired,
Amanda
Craftin’ Wife’s Creations 🎨💄✂️

Thank you for being part of this journey with me! I can’t wait to keep sharing tutorials, tips, and ideas that spark your own creative spirit.