Our little Retro Camper ... See her in person this weekend at the Hob Nob Vintage Market in Danville, IL

The End Result!

(for updated views of how she looks in 2015... click here)

 Months of gathering ideas, planning, sanding, priming, painting, power washing and primping and we are finally finished.  What began as a 1970's something Sunliner camper, has become our little home away from home.  We will be taking her on the road this weekend to Danville, IL for the Hob Nob Vintage Market.  We can't wait to see you there!

 Mabel is her name.  That was the name of my husband's mother.  She LOVED to camp and was an RVer up until her last day.  In her honor, we hope to spend lots of time enjoying the road,  and one another, while taking some short road trips together.

It's been so much fun finding just the right things to put inside.  The little afghan was a cast off from the resale shop where I work,  it was actually put in the Salvation Army bag when I rescued it.  Several little holes in a knit afghan can be a quick fix with a little yarn and a crochet hook. And who knew that the chevron pattern would make a comeback!  I made the bird and chevron pillows along with the little banner garland.  (I made a larger one for outside when we set up.)  The original oil painting is one inspired by a spot in Door County and is an original I painted last year.

My friend Cindi spent three days with me sewing the vinyl cushion covers.  They will be easy to keep clean!  She was amazing and her husband Hank was very patient!

The curtains, were from a pair I purchased from Ikea (plain white). I had scoured resale shops for some to repurpose, but was unable to find the fabric that I was looking for.  I got one pair ($9.99/pr ) and cut them into the sizes I needed.  I added little cut pieces I picked up in the remnant racks at Jo-ann Fabrics. (HINT: if you have a smart phone, look up "joann coupon"... and get 40% off one item... I used it for 10 yards of the vinyl and saved a BUNCH!)  In an effort to create 'easy to make' curtains,  I removed the original racks that were meant for hooks, and mounted a rod that would fit into 2 little coated cup hooks...Cafe Style... it worked perfectly.  My rescued industrial machine powered through all of the sewing and made me oh so happy along the way!

The little hoop art you see below is my original design.  While having coffee Sunday, I decided to try my hand at it... I freehanded the little map of the U.S.A. and added some places that I am fond of and have had the good fortune to visit over the years.  I made the little "See the U.S.A." hoop to act as a companion.  The little Ralph Waldo Emerson saying is just a framed card from Trader Joes.  Add some vintage books, postcards, pennants, a little collection of white vases filled with fresh tulips, and you are ready for a road trip!

 As if there weren't enough cuteness going on. While at Ikea, I found this orange and white stripe canvas style fabric... I bought one yard and fashioned it into an awning for the little front window.  I repurposed some left over vinyl piping from the cushions inside to add a touch of yellow.  

Our original plan was to add a little orange stripe... I have yet to do that but think I may leave that to the pinstriping pros.  We will have it done one day.  I hope you can stop Opendoorstudio to see some of what we bring with us to Sell.. On the Vintage Road! (  maybe you will find something wonderful there for YOUR little vintage trailer!

oh... one more thing, Martha is a  proud member of Sisters on the Fly! After a successful solo voyage, she took the show on the road alone and can't wait to meet some sisters sometime next season!
Sister # 3968

The End

'You're the Object of my Affection.' by opendoorstudio

1946 Pueblo Indian Stories b... msjeannieology $13.00	Old Weathered Barn Totem FarmhouseMud $170.00	Dansk Kobenstyle Red Enamel ... GallivantingGi... $44.00	Vintage faux leather school ... founditgreat $15.00
Vintage 1949 Saw Word Flash ... msjeannieology $5.00	Red Flasher Real Conservatio... REALBUTTERFLYG... $24.99	Nature photograph - fine art... photographybyk... $35.00	Rightside Down BIKE Flipping... TooArtfulForYo... $29.99
recycled skateboard bench - ... deckstool $699.99	Tattooed Lady doll with Skel... MimiKirchner $250.00	Vintage Wall Clock - Red Gen... ZinniaCottage $49.00	9 tiny pastels portraits behappynow $24.00
The Ten Classic Works of Fic... jpants4sale $800.00	Antique Apothecary Bottle Co... vintageer $23.00	Natural Wood Apple Crate LBrandt $32.00	White, orange, black armwarm... Malam $15.50

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Some of my favorite shops and all of my favorite items! Loving Rustic and RED right now!

            cheers!

please be sure to click on the items above to take you to the shops listed!

            martha

Thursday Night Under the Tent!

Thursday Night I took a short roadtrip to a friends home, where she had set up her vintage finds and home decor castoffs from her retail shop, under the chandelier lit tent... and under ths stars!

 Her home is lovely inside and has been featured in several news stand publications.  Her style is comfortable and welcoming, Clocks, burlap, creamy painted trim and brown accents throughout.  A true delight to behold.
  Denise owned a little shop in Bartlett Il, that is where I first met her.  She has since moved her shop to Geneva and has increased her customer base.  She contacted them to join her at her home sale!  I would say, by the looks of the crowd when I arrived, she did a bang up business!

 Her front porch, so welcoming

 When I first arrived... the tent was lit and was a beacon for all who passed by!  NOT many passed by... MANY stopped!

 She had some delightful finds and by the time I arrived, she had sold most of her large pieces and they were marked for " pick-up on Saturday"

 When I arrived, she was restocking and restocking, She and her friends Janice ( who will be showing at junk bonanza... and Denise (yes another Denise... her employee and friend) were busy carting boxes out of her storage shed and basement to refill the tables.  In true Denise style... she was mortified that I had attempted to take photos before she would be able to stage them correctly... these are the unstaged photos, after the inital crowds arrived and bought everything that was not nailed down!

 I love the crate with the printing and the way she has shown the egg crates! ...hey, I missed that cute little wooden folding chair!

 Loved the botanical area, even bought something here.  That screen had been sold already and marked for the saturday pick up.  What a clever idea to attach vintage botanical prints to it to create a theme!...hey, I missed that green folding chair too!   There was just so much to take in! ( in a good way)

 Tables loaded and ready for Autumn decorating.

 This cute " cage" lamp I loved.  You could create one of your own...but it really warmed up the space with light!

 Vintage Suitcases stacked to side table height.  Warm woods and animal prints adorned this tent.

 A view down the side yard.  This sale was to go on for Friday and Saturday as well!  I phoned her on Saturday morning, just as the sale began and she was giddy with her success so far! She had cleaned out so many things and that was her objective!

 This tent was decorated for Halloween.   Black and orange, some new glittery finds here.

 Black, white and burlap... I found some great vintage, huge music sheets.  I think they were teaching aids from back in the day.  I am hoping to make prints and frame parts of them.

She had a successful weekend and the weather co operated perfectly! Congrats Denise!
        Can't wait for your Christmas sale!

UHOHHHH...someone is catching the Bug!

Yesterday I sat down to photograph some of my etsy vintage finds.  While I was taking the shots my son arrived on the scene... he is 11 and will be 12 soon.  In hand were a pile of his vintage toys that I had picked up along the way...Estate sales, flea markets and the like.    He asked if he could set them up and take some shots.  I handed him my canon and off he went.  Placing them in groupings, focusing in ...in an " Artsy" way... I might add.  He asked if I would list them and if he could get a little of the cash for his savings.    Of Course I listed them for him...if you check out my listing for vintage toys, you will find them there.   I think he took some great shots for a budding photographer.          I hope you love them too!Seems he is well on his way to catching the Etsy "bug"....watch out POE... colin is on his way!     

           Martha