Books & Looks (August)

 

August Wrap-Up: Makeup, Magic & Books

Hey Y'all, Amanda here, your Craftin' Wife- August is always such a funny month—it feels like summer is still in full swing, but at the same time I start noticing little hints of fall sneaking in. The evenings get a touch cooler, pumpkin-flavored everything starts popping up, and I find myself reaching for richer makeup colors and cozier books. It’s a month of transition, and I love leaning into both sides of it.

(I'm doing something new with the blog this month, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!)

✨ Makeup Moments
This month, I really had fun experimenting with new looks. Some days were all about bold, playful color—bright eyeshadows, shimmer that caught the light just right, and lip shades that demanded attention. Other days, I went for softer neutrals and subtle glam, the kind of looks that feel polished without being over the top. Makeup has always been one of my favorite creative outlets, and August gave me the chance to play.

I’ll be adding in photos of the looks I wore so you can see the variety—everything from summery brights to the first hints of fall tones. Each one felt like a little piece of art I got to carry with me, and I’m excited to hear which ones are your favorites. 

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📚 Books I Read in August
Of course, no month is complete without a good stack of books. August was a cozy reading month for me, and I loved mixing it up—romance, a little Christmas magic, and even some suspense. Here’s what I read:

• Unforgettable Cowboy by Debra Clopton – Sweet and heartfelt, this was the perfect cowboy romance to sink into. I loved the small-town charm and the way the story balanced family, love, and second chances.

• Hitched in Hawaii by Dhara Shah – A fun, lighthearted read that totally gave me tropical vibes. The destination wedding setting was adorable, and it was such a breezy book for summer.

• Melody’s Christmas by ID Johnson – Yes, I read a Christmas book in August, and I don’t regret it one bit! It was wholesome and cozy, with just enough festive cheer to make me excited for the holidays.

• The Billionaire’s Marriage Pact by Melody Archer – This one hit all the billionaire romance notes—sweet tension, drama, and a promise that made me want to keep turning the pages. Definitely a fun escape read.

• Counting on Cole by Cynthia Eden – A totally different vibe from the rest of my list, this one leaned into suspense and danger. It was a page-turner and gave me the perfect change of pace when I wanted something a little darker.

Reading in late summer has its own magic. Maybe it’s the heavy air, maybe it’s the feeling that the season is slipping away, but I always find myself lingering in stories a little longer. A few of these surprised me in the best ways, and all of them made August a little brighter. 

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1) I've already read, and mentioned this one in the early stages, but all versions of Dead Roads, Chris Outland are now available!!

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🍂 Looking Ahead
Now I’m turning my eyes toward September, and honestly, I can’t wait. Fall is my favorite time for creativity. Makeup looks shift into deeper colors, cozy reading nooks start calling my name, and crafting season really starts to sparkle. I have so many ideas swirling in my head right now—projects, palettes, and piles of books—and I’m excited to bring you along for all of it.

August gave me inspiration, but September feels like it’s ready to light a creative fire. Here’s to savoring the last glow of summer and stepping into the magic of fall together. 💕

Read on, and sparkle bright,

Amanda| Craftin' Wife's Creations

September Blog Schedule

 🍂 September Blog Schedule for Craftin’ Wife’s Creations

Hey friends! It's Amanda- your Craftin' Wife here. ✨

September is one of my favorite months — cooler air, cozy vibes, and a burst of creative energy as we head into fall. This month, I’m bringing you a mix of craft tutorials, beauty favorites, and lifestyle inspiration, all while sharing the ups and downs of being a creative soul living small.

Here’s what you can expect on the blog this month:

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Week 1

• Monday (Craft Blog): Why A Well Stocked Kit Is Your Best Creative Friend

• Wednesday (Beauty Blog): Makeup Essentials for Life on the Road: Staying Glam in an RV

• Friday (Lifestyle Blog): Staying Organized in Under 100sqft

Week 2

• Monday: Crafting Magic with My Cricut: Why This Machine Is a Game Changer

• Wednesday: My Easy Day & Night Beauty Routine for Life on the Road

• Friday: Finding Room for Books (and Embracing Digital Reading Without Losing the Magic)

Week 3

• Monday: Beginner Cricut Project: Personalized Vinyl Decal for Your Water Bottle

• Wednesday: My Must-Have Beauty Items for Life on the Road

• Friday: The Creative Struggle: Making Magic in a Small Space

Week 4

• Monday: Beginner Cricut Joy Card Tutorial

• Wednesday: Books & Looks – My Makeup Looks & Books I Read in September

• Friday: Crafting in Odd Places: Making Creativity Work Anywhere

Bonus Weekend Post ✨

Because September deserves a little extra cozy fun:

• Kid-Friendly Fall Craft: DIY Leaf Friends (With Dollar Store Supplies!)

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🍁 That’s a wrap on September’s blog lineup! Don’t worry — we still have some amazing ideas saved for October, like my Cozy & Classy Fall Craft: DIY Pumpkin Centerpiece and Stickers, Stickers, Stickers! (because who doesn’t love stickers?).

Stay tuned, stay inspired, and let’s make this September our most creative yet. 

💛 Amanda| Craftin' Wife's Creations

 

🍂 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

 

Craftin’ Q&A with the Craftin’ Wife: Tiny Spaces, Big Ideas, and Glittery Truths

Hey crafty friends!

Amanda here — your Craftin’ Wife — back with a fun little Q&A all about crafting while living life on the road. I get tons of questions about how I manage to stay creative in such a small space, how I store supplies, and how I avoid being buried under a mountain of glitter (spoiler: I always avoid it 💁‍♀️).

Let’s get into your most-asked questions!

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✂️ Q: How do you craft in such a tiny space?

A: Honestly? With creativity, flexibility, and a lot of organizing bins. I’ve learned to work in little bursts — sometimes on the bed, sometimes at a picnic table outside. I keep my projects small and mobile, and I’ve gotten really good at turning any flat surface into a workspace.

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🧶 Q: What kinds of crafts are “RV-friendly”?

A: Great question! I love paper crafts, card making, vinyl decals, Cricut projects, light sewing, and small-scale DIYs like journaling or hand lettering. Anything that doesn’t require power tools or take over the whole RV is fair game!

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🎨 Q: How do you store your supplies?

A: Clear bins, the Joy has it's own travel bag, and labeled zip pouches are my best friends. I keep my most-used items in easy reach and rotate things seasonally. The trick is to keep it neat — because clutter in a tiny space is chaos.

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💡 Q: How do you stay inspired while traveling?

A: Every new town, campground, or scenic view gives me ideas! I keep a craft idea notebook and snap photos of colors, patterns, or quirky signage that sparks something. Inspiration is everywhere — even at the world’s biggest ball of twine. (Been there. Still obsessed.)

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✨ Q: Glitter. How do you handle it?

A: Short answer? Carefully. Long answer? I don’t use loose glitter. I prefer glitter vinyl, glitter cardstock, or self-contained glitter pens. Loose glitter is the herpes of crafting — it never goes away. 😂

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👜 Q: What’s one crafting item you can’t live without?

A: My Cricut Joy! It’s compact, powerful, and perfect for RV life. It lets me make cards, decals, labels, and small designs without needing a ton of space. Plus, it fits in it's own bag, with the Easy Press Mini!

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Got more questions? I’d love to answer them in a future Q&A — just drop them in the comments, message me on Instagram, or yell across the campground (okay, maybe not that last one 😅).

Until next time, stay creative and crafty no matter where life takes you!

With glue on my fingers,
Amanda, The Craftin’ Wife 💖

 

Beauty Q&A with the Craftin’ Wife: Road Life, Real Talk & Radiance

Hey beautiful friends!

Amanda here — your Craftin’ Wife — and today I’m answering some of the most common (and fun!) questions I get about keeping up with beauty routines while living full-time on the road.

Yes, it is possible to stay glam in an RV — with a little creativity, the right tools, and a good sense of humor. So let’s dive in!

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💄 Q: How do you store your makeup in such a tiny space?

A: It’s all about compact storage and being super intentional! I use a small clear bag for my daily go-tos and seasonal items. I also love makeup bags with built-in brush holders. Everything has a home, and I keep it simple — if I don’t use it regularly, it doesn’t stay in the RV. My "big" makeup case is a vintage travel case, all the things I take are kept in it. and I change some things out seasonally when we return to TN for doctors appts.

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🌞 Q: Do you still wear full face makeup every day?

A: Nope — I’m all about a functional glow. Most days I go for a tinted SPF, and mascara. It’s quick, fresh, and doesn’t melt off in the summer heat! On special days or content filming days, I love going full glam — glitter cut crease, anyone?

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🚿 Q: How do you take off your makeup without wasting water?

A: Makeup remover wipes and micellar water are my BFFs! I keep a little stack of reusable makeup pads and use a no-rinse cleanser most nights. On shower days, I’ll double-cleanse properly, but daily? It’s quick, efficient, and water-friendly.

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🌬️ Q: Does the weather affect your skincare?

A: Absolutely. Travel takes my skin through all kinds of climates, so I adjust often. I keep a hydrating serum for dry spots and a mattifying moisturizer for humid areas. And SPF is always in my routine, rain or shine!

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💅 Q: What’s one beauty item you can’t live without on the road?

A: Just one? That’s rude. 😂 But if I had to choose — probably my cream blush stick. It works as blush, lip tint, and even eyeshadow in a pinch. (Runner-up: mascara! Small item, big impact.)

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✨ Q: How do you stay inspired with your beauty looks when you’re on the move?

A: I love finding inspiration in our travels — desert neutrals, forest greens, sunset shimmer... nature is the best palette! Plus, I follow beauty creators online, and sometimes just trying a new lip combo gives me life.

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Have more questions? Drop them in the comments or message me on Instagram @craftinwife — I’d love to do a Part 2! 💕

Until then, stay radiant and resourceful,
Amanda, The Craftin’ Wife 💖

Life W/ A Craftin' Wife: ShadowWolf Studios Guest Post

 

Life With a Craftin’ Wife: A ShadowWolf Studios Guest Post

Hey everyone,
I’m Chris — the guy behind the camera, the wheel of the RV, the code, the coffee, and the chaos. Most folks know me as ShadowWolf Studios, the gaming and storytelling half of this dynamic duo. But today, I’m showing up here, on Amanda’s blog, to talk about what it’s really like being married to the one and only Craftin’ Wife.

Spoiler alert: it’s awesome.

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🎀 Glitter, Glue, and Genius

First off — let me just say: Amanda is ridiculously talented.

I’ve watched her turn dollar store finds into boutique-level decor, whip out Cricut projects like magic, and paint her face with colors that belong in a comic book. (That’s a compliment, by the way — her Halloween looks are better than anything I’ve seen in a video game cutscene.)

She sees the world through sparkles and textures, and somehow, everything she touches ends up more beautiful than it started. Including this RV… which would honestly just be an old EMS bus with tangled cords and dust if it weren’t for her.

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🧠 Left Brain Meets Right Brain (and They Road Trip Together)

We approach creativity from different directions. I live in code, pixels, game engines, and plot twists. She lives in cardstock, colors, glue guns, and beauty blends.

But somehow, our brains sync up in the weirdest, most magical ways.

When I’m stuck on a storyline or debugging a game, she’s there with a fresh idea or a completely unrelated suggestion that somehow breaks me out of the loop. When she’s frustrated mid-project, I’ll hand her a snack or say something stupidly nerdy and get her laughing again.

We balance each other out — tech and tactile, digital and DIY.

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🚌 Living, Working, Creating… in Under 100 Square Feet

Is it always easy? No.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.

Living and working together in a tiny home means we’ve learned how to read each other’s moods, respect creative flow, and tag-team the daily chaos. I’ve learned to navigate around a table full of cardstock and rhinestones. She’s learned not to panic when I start mumbling in game dev speak at 11am.

And through it all, we never stop cheering each other on.

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💬 My Favorite Moments?

• When she squeals over a perfectly weeded decal.

• When I hear her talking to her followers like they’re old friends.

• When she quietly slips me a snack while I’m mid-code.

• When we stay up too late, editing video, brainstorming, and laughing until our sides hurt.

• When someone online says “I love what you two are doing” and I realize... yeah. So do I.

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❤️ Being the Wolf Beside the Craftin’ Wife

Amanda’s passion is contagious. Her creativity? Limitless. And her love for what she does — and for the people who follow her journey — inspires me to be better, dream bigger, and create bolder.

She’s not just a crafter or a content creator. She’s the heart of this whole operation. And I’m proud — so proud — to walk this road beside her, one quirky campground and late-night project at a time.

Thanks for letting me share a little of my side of the story.

Stay curious,
Chris
ShadowWolf Studios

How To: 30 min (or less) Projects- Jewelry Organizer

 

🎀 DIY Travel Jewelry Organizer – No-Sew, No-Stress, Road-Ready ✨

Hey friends!
It’s Amanda, your Craftin’ Wife, back with my very first road-tested, RV-approved DIY tutorial! If you’re anything like me, you love wearing cute earrings, necklaces, or even a bold bracelet now and then—but traveling full-time makes organizing (and protecting!) your jewelry a whole thing.

Enter this super simple, super stylish DIY Travel Jewelry Organizer—no sewing machine required, just a few dollar store supplies and a pinch of that crafty magic. 🌟

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🧰 Supplies You’ll Need:

(Everything should fit in your craft bin!)

• 1 small canvas or zipper pouch (cosmetic bag size)

• Craft felt (1–2 sheets)

• Scissors

• Hot glue gun & glue sticks

• Thin ribbon or elastic

• Small snap buttons (optional, for extra fancy)

• A binder ring or keyring (for easy hanging)

• Decorative trim, fabric scraps, or stickers (optional—make it yours!)

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🧵 Let’s Get Craftin’!

Step 1: Cut Felt Strips

Cut your felt into 2-3 strips about 1.5" wide. These will be glued into the pouch to hold earrings and pin back jewelry. You can make some a little longer to drape necklaces through.

Step 2: Glue in Your Holders

Open your canvas pouch fully. Inside, glue the felt strips horizontally along the back wall of the pouch, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart. Only glue the ends of each strip so the middle stays open for sliding in jewelry.

Optional: Glue one strip vertically if you want to create loops for rings or bracelets.

Step 3: Add a Necklace Solution

Take a piece of ribbon or elastic and glue it across the inside top edge of the pouch. This is where you can clip necklaces with mini clothespins or safety pins. For extra points, add snap buttons or velcro to secure them.

Step 4: Decorate the Outside

Because, duh.
Use stickers, iron-on vinyl, paint pens, or fabric scraps to give the outside of your organizer some you energy. I went with glitter ribbon, naturally. 💁‍♀️

Step 5: Add a Hanger (Optional)

Use a binder ring or keyring to attach a loop on the zipper pull. That way you can hang it in your RV closet or from a command hook at camp.

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💡 Craftin’ Wife Tips:

• No pouch? Use a piece of craft felt folded in half like a book!

• Super organized? Add little labels with washi tape or sticker tabs.

• Kids version? Great for travel charms, pins, or even a mini art supply kit.

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✨ Why I Love It:

This little pouch makes finding my earrings in the morning so much easier. No more digging through drawers or having everything tangled in a sandwich bag. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and keeps my sparkly stuff safe on the go.

I’ve got mine hanging right inside a cabinet door in our RV—small space, big style!

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📸 Share Your Version!

If you make your own, tag me @CraftinWife on most social media or drop a photo in the comments below—I love seeing your creations!

Until next time,
Stay crafty (and cute),
🖤 Amanda
The Craftin’ Wife