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Sunday 23 June 2013

I have been very patient... I really have...



But now please welcome My little van...  Maud







Yes I really did want a turquoise van!! no boring white for me...

Old she maybe but she is also bright and cheerful... and I will be able to find her easily in a crowd... hooray!!

I couldn't afford a VW T4 or T5 so have gone for the Mercedes Vito... she is an automatic 12 year old, no frills of electric windows etc, with 3 seats up the front...























Currently she has a dual passenger seat, but I am considering swapping that unit for a single so I can put a swivel on it which will allow me to get into the back... without anyone knowing to have a rest.

I saved up for 2 years, sold stuff and had some help from my parents then two months ago I took the plunge and bought this van... it was then sent to a chap called Clive to interprete my designs for the insides and put in a roof vent...

I finally got her back a week ago....

She will allow me to have a mobile bed and that is what I need to lead a more normal life....





A single bed frame, that can be shorten at one end and made into a seat at the other, was made from an unwanted double futon frame...


The two thermal window covers were bought from SW Campers and are fantastic... blocking out the light when i want to rest and easily removed when they are not needed..


























I made one curtain to cover the shelves, gas bottle and water container... access is from the sliding door behind...


and found hooks to hang this one I made years ago... I think I may put some applique on it in time but for now it is fine...


























The pod has my little cooker and tap out of my old sprite caravan...

I've had a roof vent put in, that has a useful mossie screen too... but that is leaking at the mo...

With sliders the table can be used in two positions, I'm still waiting for one slider which is why the table is a tad wonky in the photo below.




















































There is plenty of storage under the bed...

I've done a fab swap with the lovely Amanda at http://vintagesheetaddict.blogspot.co.uk   for some vintage fabric and wallpaper...

I will be attempting to make a cotton duvet cover from an old white sheet with some patchwork or applique from the fabric below...





















And soon some funky wallpaper will be lining the shelves of the pod too...

Other retro things I've found for the van are...

this lovely tray














I was thrilled when I found this slim line cold box in aqua for £4 and finally one of my crochet blankets, not made by me but by a lovely elderly lady way back in the 50's...



























It has seen better days (haven't we all)  but it is perfect for the van... I've been busy sewing up all the holes...


I've gone for a retro scandinavian feel, can you tell??

We have a few more problems to overcome but...

So there we are my little van...

I will be sorry to see my little old faithful golf go on Friday but I can not afford or indeed need two vehicles so I embrace this change and hope it does indeed open up my world again...

Till next time I send you all smiles Cass x










17 comments:

  1. Your new van looks great, and what an impressive interior in the back!!

    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog :) About the ammonia I do not know what could be used instead. Perhaps stale urin. Or potash? My natural dyes are mostly experimental, and I learn as I work along, but if I find out something more I will let you know :)

    Have a lovely new week!

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    1. Thanks Hilde I wondered whether urine would be the answer! Have a lovely week. Cx

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  2. wowie its F.A.B!!!
    wishing you many happy hours in the company of your new friend xx

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  3. Wow, I love it! An ideal thing to travel around in especially for an unexpected overnight stop somewhere. Hmmm, you've got me thinking now! x

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    1. Thank you... for me it means I can now actually leave my home for more than a couple of hours, rest whenever I need to then carry on... it will be life changing! Very exciting.. have a lovely week.Cx

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  4. It's going to be retro heaven in there for you! LOVE the colour! :) x

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  5. Love it...I want one! You must give her a name. Looking forward to hearing about all your adventures. EE xx

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    1. Yes I'm wait for a name to evolve Ethel... maybe Maud... Cx

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  6. love the van. good for you . what a sence of freedom.

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  7. That looks fine Cass. Just right to explore at your own pace. Our van is still languishing in the garage. It's a bit worrying now. We have a lovely mess in the kitchen today. Our old dishwasher is dead. No hot water so clean dishes have to be kettled. I'm cold here today in France.

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  8. Looks fantastic. I love all the accessories you have found and the sheets will make a lovely duvet cover. Juliex

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  9. Wow! With this car, you get lots of nice vacations and road trips :)
    I like the way you have decorated it.
    The fabric under the kitchen sink was amazing and the circular board :)
    Congratulations!

    Janne

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  10. Good to see pictures of the beast after hearing all about it on the phone...great use of the space inside...didn't expect that colour scheme! x

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  11. I love it! Hope you have hours of fun and many happy travels in it. M x

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  12. Now that's what I call 'pimp my van' fantastic! x

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Thanks for popping by...
It is always lovely to receive a comment from you... smiles Cass x