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