A Year FT Van Living! This Year's Travel Bucket List

 Hey Y'all!

Last Year when we started living full time in Brunilda, our 1991 Chevy G20 Conversion Van, we came up with a bucket list for the year. We never shared it with anyone, so we're doing that now.

We liked the idea, and it gave us a bit of a travel goal for the year, so we decided to do it again this year.

Without further ado here's what we accomplished from last year:

We had a lot on our list, and we're grateful to have accomplished most of it!

Here's a list of what we did:

See the eclipse (from Oakridge Campground in Rockport, IN)

Alabama!

Another state- South Carolina

5 State Parks; Warriors Path, Cedars of Lebanon, Harrison Bay, David Crockett Birthplace, all in TN. Santee in SC. 

2 National Parks; Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (KY/VA/TN) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH)

A National Wildlife Refuge/ Nature Preserve; Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (AL) Hatcher Gardens, Edisto Memorial Gardens, Glendale Preserve & Waterfall (all SC) 

(Amanda) Read 52 Books!

Walk A Mile A Day (Average)

7 "Mom & Pop" Campgrounds (our goal was 10); Oakridge Campground (IN) Oh Kentucky! (KY) Cowford Campground (AL) Mammoth Ridge (TN)  Woodsmoke Family Campground (SC) Pine Ridge Campground (SC) Outside Inn (SC) 

15 Free Overnights (outside of family); Planet Fitness (2) Walmart (2) Lowe's (1) Cracker Barrel (9 for sure, maybe more) Tamarack (1) 

Movie Night/Date Night

Any Amusement Park; Kokomo Beach (IN)

Beach Trip! (We didn't make it to the ocean, but we still played on a lot of beaches.)

Day On The Water

2 State Parks Outside of TN (Goal was 5); Fort Boonesborough (KY) Santee (SC)

A Trip With No Interstates; Kokomo, IN to Owensboro, KY

5 Visitors Centers was the goal; We love a visitor center! Richmond, and Berea KY, as well as Welcome to KY Visitors Center, OH Welcome Center, IN Welcome Center, as well as Rockport Visitor Center, Alabama Welcome Center, Athens and Scottsboro Visitors Centers, TN Welcome Center (3) as well as Greeneville and Jonesborough Visitors Centers, NC Welcome Center, SC Visitor Center as well as Spartanburg Visitors Center. (17?)

Our goal was 100 subscribers on YouTube, we've surpassed it now- but at the end of 2024 we sat at 95!

Try a new food monthly! This was easy, and fun to accomplish. From fresh sea food in AL, to the best Brazilian cuisine in SC, and a little Cajun place in IN we had some great meals in 2024! 

4 Lakes (Goal was 5); Wheeler Lake, Chickamauga Lake, Lake Reba, Cherokee Lake

4 Rivers (Goal was 5); TN River, Ohio River, KY River, Holston River

What didn't we do?

Grow Social Media (much)

Eat out 2x max per week

500 Followers/Subscribers

As we said, we're pretty happy with what we did get accomplish! I'm sure there are things we forgot, which is why we're gearing up to track things better this year.

So, what's on the list this year?

3 New States

A Day On The Water

4 New State Parks

Amusement/Waterpark Day

5 Visitor's Centers

Post to Social Media Daily

2 Wildlife/Nature Preserves

100 Subs on  Outland Adventures YouTube- WE DID IT! Currently at 106!

Then 500 Subs on YouTube

Travel By Train/Train Ride

Ghost Tour (Anywhere) - We did one in 2024 in Franklin, and it was okay, we've done them in the past and really had a lot of fun. The one in Chattanooga just was too large and moved too fast.

10 "small" campgrounds (not franchise, or state parks)

20 Free Spots

(Amanda) Read 52 Books!

Get the Drone out 2x month

Hit the beach, look for shells

Another National Park

Try local foods 1x mo

Visit with a fellow nomad

50 Followers on TikTok

50 Followers on Facebook- WE DID IT! Went from 40 something to 165 in January!

Then 100 Followers each!

Collab with a brand

Enjoy Fall Foliage for as long as possible

Camp in 2 new State Parks (Too bad I made this goal for a new one, we've done Warriors' already!)

Ride bikes

Tour a Small Town, See the Goofy Stuff

Visit a Nature Center/Zoo- We did Cleveland Metroparks Zoo last year, and really enjoyed the Rainforest.

Find a cool rock- leave it behind

Make a new recipe monthly

4 Museums (any kind)- We didn't get to many last year- AL Veteran's Museum, and Spartanburg Railroad Museum, Greeneville Museum, Jonesborough Museum, KY Hall of Fame & Museum (Okay maybe we did more than I thought...)

5 Tours, of any kind- Last year we did Mayfield, Ghost Tour, Carnton, Carter House, BMW, Walnut Grove Plantation, Greeneville Car Museum/Tour

Visit Local Libraries (Goal of 10?)

As you can see we have already accomplished some of our Social Media list, YAY! As soon as radiation finishes for me we'll begin our travels again!

What's on your travel list this year? Share in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

What's In My Makeup Case?

 Hey Y'all!

What's currently traveling with? 

Too much, but I really wanted to bring all my new Wet 'n Wild from Christmas...

But first here's the last Makeup Case blog:

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2024/11/makeup-swap-out-it-was-past-time-for.html

So, for now I have two cases with me...

The large green case I started with, and the cosmetics bag from the Scooby Doo Collection.

All of both collections does fit in the Scooby case... it's too much to keep traveling with...

I don't plan to take anything out as of now though.

Video of each product, not in depth, just a quick "all this fit in there?" video:

The big case:

All back in, it fit better this time!

Both cases:

Let's see your collection! Tag me on social media! @craftinwife on most platforms or you can find me here:

https://linktr.ee/craftinwife

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

How To: Cardmaking With Cricut Joy

 Hey Y'all!

For this blog I've decided to show you how to make a card using the Cricut Joy, and the card mat. Follow along!

Supplies:

Cricut Joy

Cricut Joy Card Mat

Cricut Joy Insert Cards

Your choice of tape, glue, etc.

I chose this design to base my card off of:

Once I found that I had an idea of what I was going to do.

 I added this image to my canvas, turned it sideways, found a font I liked, added that, welded that together, and BAM! Ready to make!!

Need more detailed instructions? Start here:

First, if you're new to Design Space, I have a whole series on How To: Design Space starting here:

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2022/12/how-to-cricut-design-space-on-pc-android.html

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/01/how-to-cricut-design-space-on-android.html

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/01/how-to-cricut-design-space-on-pc-and.html

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/02/how-to-cricut-design-space-on-android.html

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/02/how-to-cricut-design-space-on-pc.html

(There are more and I'm always updating so a quick search of the blog will help you to find the latest version!)

Other Joy Specific Blogs:

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/04/i-got-cricut-joy-thoughtsreview.html

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/04/how-to-easter-basket-tags-w-cricut-joy.html

http://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/06/4th-of-july-crafting-with-cricut-joy.html

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2023/07/how-to-larger-than-joy-mat-mobile.html

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2024/11/how-to-insert-cards-with-cricut-joy.html

https://craftinwifescreations.blogspot.com/2024/07/lets-actually-craft-making-card-with.html

(There are more blogs if you search Cricut Joy in the search bar at the top left of the blog!)

Turned image, added my text, welded the two together, and I'm ready to cut!

Getting the Joy all set:

On card mat is selected.

Material set, it's ready to go!

Mat all loaded, cutting in progress:

All done cutting:

Once I removed the card from the mat, I added the pink insert, with a bit of double sided tape, and the card was complete!

Video:

Any questions? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Bonus Fail Video:

My Goals Progress Report

 Hey Y'all!

We're just over a month into the new year, so it's time to check out the goal progress!

As a reminder here were my goals-

My (Personal-ish) 2025 Goals:

1) All the goals from the previous blog, and the Outland Adventures blog. 8+15= 23 total there!

2) Continue using the Lose It app to log calories, fitness/exercise for the day, and water intake.

3) Read at least one book a week, any subject. Did y'all know there are FREE books on Google Play?!

4) Spend at least 10min a day writing in my planner/journal.

5) Do something nice, every day. This can be as simple as saying "hello" when out and about.

6) Visit at least 5 new libraries.

7) Spend less time scrolling social media, and more time creating content. 

8) Play Sims 4 at least once a month, see how far I can get in one family over the year.

So how am I doing??

1) Those goals are tracked separately, the craft ones here on this blog, the others over on Outland Adventures. Both are going pretty well!

2) So far, great! Haven't missed a day, far more active, and down 10lbs!

3) Not so great. I'm at 2 for the month of January.

4) Great! I'm tracking my goals, planning content for both CWC and OA, and keeping up with day to day stuff.

5) I think this has been a success so far. 

6) 0 so far, but because of my recurrence we also haven't been traveling far.

7) Work in progress, but I have committed to the daily posting for OA, and more frequently with CWC.

8) I did start a new save, and play for a bit. So the goal for January was met.

Overall I'm happy with the progress, and growth on social media- that's the main goal!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

February Blog Schedule

 Hey Y'all,

Yay for February, it signals winter's end here in the south...

Blog Schedule:

31st F- Blog Schedule 

1st BONUS- Other Goals Progress Report

3rd M- How To: Insert Card w/ Cricut Joy 

5th W- What's in my Makeup Collection?

7th F- A Year FT Van Living! This Year's Travel Bucket List

10th M- How To: Iron On Basics

12th W- GRWM

14th F- Happy Valentine's Day!

17th M- Color with Me, Favorite Coloring Books

19th W- Makeup Routine

21st F- Books! What I've Been Reading

24th M- Design Space Updates, and News

26th W-  Jan & Feb Makeup Looks

28th F- March Blog Schedule 

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

My Least Favorite Things

  Hey Y'all!

For the Least Favorites, I figured I'd do 2 craft items, and a few beauty items as well...

1) American Crafts Adhesive Vinyl~ This is glitter vinyl specific, the others seem to do okay, but I still wouldn't use it if given an option. The glitter doesn't cut well. On my many attempts, when I did get it to cut it was a pain to weed. It sticks to pretty much nothing but itself, and is crazy thin. I had purchased several rolls, and had so much issue working with it I gave them away. After such a hard time I tried the others (foil, and holographic) that I had also purchased, and luckily they worked for that project.

2)RoseArt~ Crayons & Colored pencils, both of these suck. (I had enough bad experience with these, I've not tried the markers.) The crayons are too waxy and don't leave much else behind. The colored pencils have poor pigmentation, and dull quickly. Spend the little extra and get higher quality! 

Beauty Items:

Dishonorable Mention- 

Makeup Remover Facial Wipes~ Some Dollar Tree products are a hit, some are a miss. I actually didn't even finish using these. They dried out super fast, and the wipes themselves were so thin I found them hard to use. (They tended to want to wad up in my hand.) They also weren't very good at removing makeup. Save the dollar+! 

1) Burt's Bees Tinted Balm~ I have two of these, one in a pale pink, the other in a rich berry shade, neither has much pigmentation. I know a tinted balm isn't supposed to be solid pigmentation, but expected more. The pink is actually more tinted/pigmented than the berry, which is pretty much non existent on my lips. I could get over that, but the balm isn't very good either. I have one lipstick from the new line, and it's more moisturizing than the balms (still lightly pigmented however). I remember Burt's Bees being better than this, so I don't know if the formula changed or what went wrong, but these are a fail. 

2) Lorac Alter Ego Lip Gloss~ This feels great on the lips, and was very moisturizing. The issue was that when first applied the color was beautiful, but within 20min it was gone (Where did it go?). The moisturizing effect lasted most of the day, so maybe it was a color issue (Flower Child) and maybe not. At this price point, I'm not willing to gamble on Lorac Lip Gloss (again).

3) Parlor Leave in Detangling Conditioner~ Yuck! This feels more like a crappy hairspray than a detangler. The Kids Detangler from Dollar Tree does a better job. After using this I had a really hard time combing out my damp hair, like I was pulling some out. I actually had to cut a bit from the ends on one side it was such a matted mess. I will not give this another try as a detangler, and will not subject my mom or sister to the horror that is this product by sharing it with them. The only plus? It smells really good.

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife

Craft Goal Progress

 Hey Y'all!

Well, we're just about a month into the new year, so it's time for a progress report.

As a reminder, here were my goals:

2025 Goals:

1) Organize the Cricut Joy Bag, and Storage Box in a way that makes crafting easy to accomplish.

2) Make note of supplies/colors I already have. Keep running tab on my phone.

3) Set aside time each week to do some crafting, or craft related activities... Mondays?

4) Make the decals for Brunilda, the van, by April. 

I have two planned, one for the front visor simply stating "Brunilda" in blue no font chosen yet, the other a quote from Ferris Buehler for the rear two windows... color unknown right now, but design/font is chosen for that one.

5) Finish one craft project a month.

6) In addition to #5 make at least one card per month, give it away.

7) Film more How To's and other Craft related content for CWC. Post 2x monthly on YouTube.

8) Post more often on CWC social medias. Just the blog posts aren't enough. Aim for at least one additional post per week... Saturdays?

How are they going?

1) & 2) Done. In fact there's a video of most of the process! This will be ongoing, especially the supply list, as I purchase new, and use up items.

3) Ummm.. So far I'd call it about 50% success rate. I do the blogs, and I made our great niece a 1st Birthday card, but not much else.

4) Have decided on white for the quote. No other progress.

5) Not so far...

6) Did make a card!

7) Yes! Have posted 3x on YouTube, and a few times elsewhere too.

8) I'd call this about 50% successful for January as well. I'm trying. I did post a makeup related reel exclusively on Facebook.

Overall I'm happy with the progress. 

I did get our work kamp resume(s) done, and I used Canva for the bulk of that... so it was a little bit crafty. Yesterday I played around on design space looking at images and projects, but nothing jumped out at me.

What are you making? How are you're goals progressing? Share with me in the comments below!

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife