Jumping the gun.

I was going to wait to show you buuuttt.... I'm just going to show you. Our new couch in the trailer!

I bought most of the fabric two years ago and the navy blue I found at a thrift store for around 10$ for 5 yds. Can't stop me from mixing and matching!

There's still trim and some other things to work out but for now I've got myself a comfy couch. :)

When it's time to think twice about buying Vintage.

Last night I think we tackled the most disgusting part of our trailer...the sewer system. I hosed and scrubbed the toilet we had removed while my darling husband lay underneath the trailer removing old leaky sewer parts.

 I think people have this romantic notion that they're going to find a vintage trailer, paint and decorate it and it will be the tralier of their dreams like they see on Pinterest. I can guarantee that those people spent many, many hours getting it to look that way.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Lipstick Gypsy

 Not to dash those dreams for anyone, but I'm not having any romantic feelings towards this trailer, especially after last night. It's been a lot of hard work mentally( two days spent figuring out wiring, water still hasn't been figured out) and physically (lifting things in and out to make sure they fit). After all, my trailer is almost 50 years old. It's going to have issues, as any vintage trailer would.

So buyer beware! That cute 1965 classic trailer is going to take away your time and money and as long as you know that, carry on dreaming. :)

How to Make Super Duper easy Blinds.

The other day you caught a glimpse of the blinds now hanging in my trailer. These have been my blind of choice for years for one simple reason.... No Strings. Don't get me wrong I love the look of Roman Blinds but not a fan of the drawstrings. I don't like having them hang there when the blinds are open, or having to add a hook to keep them it out of the way. I also don't like how alluring strings are for little ones to play with, or maybe I'm just a hater of strings,lol. But I most definitely don't want strings hanging all over in my trailer.

So here we go. First measure your window making sure that your finished blind will cover your window frame, side to side and top to bottom. Now your going to add seam allowances to that measurement on the bottom and side seams. I usual add 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) to each seam measurement. To the top your going to add about 2 extra inches (5cm)

If you notice, I forgot to add the 2 inches so I needed to add to it. It was a slap to forehead moment.

Here is where having second hand sheets comes in handy. They are the fabric on the reverse side.

And I also used the sheets for the ties. They are cut according to how much hang you want to your blind.

Now sew this together to make a pillow case type affair, and iron the whole thing flat. 

Also now it the time to make your ties. Fold them in half length wise and sew, turn and iron. Tuck in one end of each tie, iron and sew/topstich. This time around I added buttons and buttonholes but I've also made the ties to just tie up or I've just sewed it into a loop. Make sure the ties are evenly spaced from the ends or your blind.

Now you need to slip the dowel between the two fabrics to the bottom of your blind. This will be used to help you roll them up. You'll see that its cut slightly shorter then the blind.

This gives you a better look at how the ties are laid out.

Now you need a piece of wood for the top cut just shy of your blind as a way to hang and staple.

Now screw to just above your window. We put a screw in the middle and one on each end.

And ta-da! :)

Supply List

Coordinating fabric

Buttons (optional)

5/8 Dowel

1x1 wood

Stapler, staples

Screws (depending on what your screwing into)

Drill to use as a screwgun (easiest method)

Eeeekkkk!!!

You know when you're doing something that just drags on forever and finally there is a what I like to call an eeekkkk moment. It's that moment where you can finally see a light flickering at the end of the tunnel. That eeekkkk moment came this weekend for me.

New floor!!!!!

New back splash!!!! This was leftovers from our kitchen ceiling.

New counter and fridge surround!!!!!

Shhh.....I know, I know there is a long list of things that need doing yet, but for now you'll have to excuse me while I lay on my new floor. Eeekkkk!!! :) 

Moving Forward!!!!!!!

We've a hit a heat wave and I have to say I'm enjoying the heat but I think it's making me feel a bit under the weather. Super tired and very headachy. So today I'm working in bits and pieces on curtains and thought I'd fill you in on the Avion's progress.

Rotted floors have been replaced and we've added a new couch instead of a dinette. 

After ripping everything out we liked the open space and opted for a couch that we can pull out to make a bed.

Open...

Closed

 As far as a table goes I've got something in mind but that's a "wait and see" project. ( wait and see if I can convince my handsome husband to build what I have in mind hehe )

He built new beds and we've got new foam to go on but in a hurry grabbed some old stuff to test it out. 

We've also got the new countertops. It wasn't my first choice. I wanted something a little more retro but the price was more than right and seemed silly to spend a lot more money. After hanging out with them now for awhile we've become buddies and I can hardly wait till they're in their new home. 

I'm pretty sure you'll find us hanging out with the trailer in construction mode all day tomorrow celebrating Canada Day, but once evening comes I'm hoping to sit back and light a sparkler or two. :)

Whoopie for Whoopie Pies

I was baking up a storm for our daughters engagement party. It was an afternoon of games, prizes, penny sale, fellowship and food. Think fun fair and you get the picture.

On the dessert menu was Whoopie Pies! The Whoopie was not something I grew up with. My background is Russain Mennonite and I had things like Borscht and Zweibach. Whoopie pies are more of the Amish persuasion and something I've only made 3 times in my life. Some experimenting was required because not only was there the traditional chocolate with a creamy filling but I also made a vanilla with a strawberry rhubarb filling. Pumpkin was also offered which I didn't get to try :(.

The recipie I used for the chocolate was from this website.  I made a simple buttercream to fill it.

I used this recipe for the vanilla cake. I really liked the cake but it wasn't great for the Whoopie pie. Still yummy but I didn't get the rise I wanted. Making another buttercream only this time I added a strawberry rhubarb sauce I made to the icing.  And sorry no picture of these. I was in a bit of a hurry by this time but I can tell you they tasted great.

Our picnic took place at the home of the groom to be. What a view eh?

 The rotted food auction. Surprisingly people really enjoyed this.

                           If success is measured by how tired I was after I am then pretty sure it was a great day! :)

Moving Backwards.

That's exactly how this weekend felt, like working in the wrong direction.
My dashing husband decided to spend his entire weekend dedicated to working on the Avion. This is how he spent Fathers Day! Hehe he's a Happy Camper....well maybe not so much after this weekend.

On Saturday we tore up a piece of the floor we knew to be wet. The front window had not shut properly for a long time and although we had taped it shut, how long it was wet was anybody guess. We're thinking a long time because when we lifted it, it came alive with a large amount of ants who were right at home in my floor.

So we ripped the floor back farther to investigate and luckily they had contained themselves to the front. We've now treated the area and I'm happy to say no more creepy crawlers.

Countertops also have been removed from both kitchen and bath and hopefully today we order our new ones.

Here was one of our only highlights. (no pun intended)

This went from this

To this. Yup we pretty much did a happy dance when we put it back up.

Hard to believe that it needs to be ready for use in less then a month but thankfully as a guest room, not to camp in...yet. :)