A Chalkboard Fridge

I always had my heart set on using chalkboard paint somewhere in Bing. I just love the idea of incorporating kid-friendly features like that into a camper. You never know when it's going to rain, right?

I finally decided on the fridge door for my chalkboard. I wasn't crazy about the idea of painting it black, or green--the other institutional colour of choice. Fortunately, Martha Stewart offers some interesting colour alternatives, like this pretty blue and soft greyish brown:

Here's the door before:

And after three coats:

Just for fun, I added some pretty scroll work stickers from the scrapbooking section at Michaels:

I was hesitant to add such a big block of blue to Bing's overall red, white and gold palette, but I think it's a fun shot of colour. I may embellish a little more with the stickers but for now, we have a pretty and functional chalkboard in an area where the kids can sit on the floor and create fridge-art all day if they like.

Excuse me while I get snap-happy....

I think the overall effect is: 

Spit 'n Polish: Before and After

I always love the spit 'n polish stage of any renovation project. It means the hard stuff's done and the fun part--the decorating--is about to begin. 

Before: The stove was grimy, greasy, and covered in rusty spots.

After: A little baking soda and steel wool did the trick for the grime and most of the rust spots. I couldn't get in around the dials perfectly, but it looks much better.

Before: The lino had decades of dirt packed into every groove. 

I got down on my hands and knees--Cinderella-style--and scrubbed with all my might. My tools? A Norwex SiriSponge and these: 

This shot shows both dirty and clean tiles:

The lino is totally '70s, but they don't look half bad now that they're clean. I'll probably never get all the discolouration out, but the whole trailer looks brighter and sparkly clean inside.

Some day, I'd love to have a black and white tiled floor. But for now, the old lino looks kinda pretty in its humble, retro way. Besides, the gold tones tie in with cabinet hardware, counter and table tops, and the heater grille.

I still need to do something about the rust around the fridge.

Now that everything else is starting to sparkle, this rust really stands out in an ugly way. But it's nothing that a little Rust-Oleum can't fix.

To Do List

The painting is done, we've installed the new tow hitch receiver and ball, and our mechanic wired the trailer brake controller and electrical receiver in our Ford Escape last week. We still have a lots to do before she's "finished," but aside from the safety check, we don't need to accomplish everything on our to do list before we take Bing on the road at last.

I don't plan to polish off all the decor all at once--I really want to savour the experience! (And let's face it, I don't wanna spend all summer sewing pillow covers!)

Bing's latest To Do List:

1. Re-install cabinet/drawer hardware and hang cabinet doors
2. Post-painting clean up: remove all tape, newspaper, plastic and put tools away
3. Scrub lino floor, polish aluminum trim/stove, and wipe down grimy ceiling wallpaper
4. Finish sewing curtains
5. Install curtain rods and hang curtains
6. Iron new cushion covers, put them on cushions, and move cushions back out into the trailer
7. Stop and admire. Take lots of photos to share online!
8. Install fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector
9. Fix hole in the bathroom floor where the icky old toilet used to sit
10. Buy portable toilet
11. Install toilet paper holder, towel bar and kitchen towel holder
12. Stock with dishes, cutlery and cooking utensils
13. DECORATE!!
14. Stop and admire and take more pictures to share online.
15. Sew pillow cushion covers
16. Make a small doormat and find something to use as a step stool
17. Practice towing!! (Eeep!)
18. Take Bing to RV shop for a safety checkup (tires, propane lines, etc.)
19. Pick our first glamping destination (hmmmm.....)
20. PACK 'ER UP AND HIT THE ROAD! 

Curtain Call

I have several adorable fabrics in my stash that would make perfect window dressings for Bing. I can't decide!

I have, at least, decided on the main curtains around the dinette and kitchen. I've fashioned them from natural cotton, Moda Home days of the week kitchen towels I found on eBay. Their red crocheted trim and cute little Scottie dog and kitten graphics suit my vintage French country vision for Bing, yet appeal to my kids.

To make each panel, I've stitched them together two by two (I need a total of six panels). Like this:

I plan to hem the top edge to the desired length and hang them from cafe rods with clips so I can easily take them down to embroider them--the perfect pastime during rainy days at camp!

But what fabric to choose for the door?

I have a lovely vintage French torchon embroidered with AD--my and Ariel's initials. It's not quite long enough, so I'd have to sew a ruffle or bit of lace on the bottom.

Or, this tea towel printed with images of Cambridge, England, that I brought back as a souvenir many years ago when I spent a summer studying Shakespeare at the university:

There's also this white eyelet fabric with a cherry print that I adore, though it's very sheer:

And this equally adorable cherry print on a cream background that a lovely friend from the Girl Camp Canada Facebook group sent me "just because":

And finally, I have a huge bolt of gorgeous red gingham with an eyelet border that I picked up for $3 in the discard bin at Fabricland. There's actually enough here to do ALL of the curtains in Bing, but I do love those days of the week tea towels.

Do you see my dilemma? To add to my indecision, I also need to pick fabric for the 80 inch long front window. Perhaps that's a good use for the red gingham.

What do you think?

Lady in White

I am almost finished painting Bing's interior! I'll add the final coat of white paint to the cupboard door faces tomorrow, and then I can re-install them, remove the masking tape and newspaper, and start decorating!

Here are a few photos to give a sense of what Bing looks like, all sparkly white. I used Cloverdale Paint's Interior/Exterior Melamine Alkyd Enamel Paint, which is what the experts at the store recommended for Bing's brown, 1970s panelling. It is self-priming paint, but I needed three good coats for a good finish. The paint has a nice satin gloss, and is supposed to be extremely durable. 

I debated long and hard about the exact shade of off-white, but in the end, opted for base white. I prefer red and pure white over red and cream, but I hope the result isn't too blinding! I also wanted the walls to contrast with my off-white curtains.

Here's the before and after: 

 

She looks completely different inside! A fresh coat of paint makes everything so clean. I painted the closet interior and the insides of all the drawers, but I will paint the inside surfaces of the upper cupboards over the winter so they have a good chance to air out before the next camping season. I really just want to get Bing on the road!

Happy International Glamping Weekend!

International Glamping Weekend is here...yet I am not camping!

Bing's not quite ready for her maiden voyage, and Doug had to work this weekend anyway. But, in honour of the occasion, we headed over to McDonald Park Campground right here in Sidney, for their camping season kick-off event.

Parks Interpreters, Girl Guides, and representatives from Mountain Equipment Co-Op set up information booths at camp sites around the park. There were games, bannock and marshmallow roasting, gear demonstrations, and Dutch Oven cooking lessons, plus plenty of banana slugs and tent caterpillars to entertain Ariel.

Photo courtesy HelloBC.com

The campground is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and is located in a hilltop patch of lovely forest just on the outskirts of our little town, right near the ferry terminal to Vancouver. Although it's only five minutes from our house, we plan to camp there at least once this summer.

How did you spend International Glamping Weekend? Did you pitch a tent on the side of a mountain? Park your trailer beside the river with other glamping sisters? Or simply stretch out in the grass in your backyard for a night under the stars? If not, I hope you, like me, at least got a little campfire smoke in your hair.

Glamp on, sisters!

Green Smoothies for Glampers

One year for Christmas, my parents-in-law bought us a Magic Bullet. It came with several pitcher sizes, plus various lids. I use it almost daily. This handy little device is perfect for quick smoothies, especially when you don't want to bother hauling out the big blender.

Magic Bullets are light and small enough to take along Glamping. Simply toss in whatever organic fruit and greens you have in your teeny fridge (and maybe a splash of maple syrup or honey) and you've got a quick and easy breakfast that's refreshing and literally packed with nutrients and antioxidants.

These smoothies are also a great way to pack dark leafy greens into your daily diet. If you don't care for things like kale, chards, parsley and cabbage on their own, just toss a few leaves into your smoothie and you won't even notice them! Mint, lemon, raw cacao, ginger, organic vanilla powder, and flax seeds are also great additions. Use your imagination!

In her Glamping book, MaryJane Butters warns against dining on junk food during your glamping trip. Green smoothies will keep you feeling energized and fabulous!

Important: make sure all ingredients are organic! Pesticide smoothies do not a happy body make.

Here's what I whipped up today, much to the delight of my kids (who won't normally eat Swiss chard):

2 ripe pears, cubed
1 apple, cubed
3/4 cup water
1 huge Swiss chard leaf and stem
Handful fresh parsley
Handful fresh picked chocolate mint
1/4 to 1/2 cup Bottled lemonjuice or juice of 1 lemon

Enjoy!