Sweatshop central was in action this weekend in Michigan

The goal . . . our version of Glamping (Glamor Camping), and all this was achieved without even leaving the driveway. Two nights in the trailer, but since we do not even know how to drive it an Scott was on a motorcycle trip we camped at home.

The curtains are up so at least the second night we had a little privacy

Sweatshop central was in action this weekend in Michigan.  Although we did make some time to pick and explore.  The Alma is apparently made of cement...Who knew??? While trying to hang (tiny) nails and hardware, we had to pound like we were tearing down the Berlin wall. At least we know she is solid.  Also, Mo does not believe in using a drill, (actually she never asked to use a drill - it was sitting in the garage) so all was done by hand.

My contributions were practical...plastic plates and garbage bags, etc...
We slept in there both nights and it was extremely comfortable.

We also did assembly line sewing. Mo also did not have a seam ripper, but does now thanks to the lovely neighbor, Tina. Our thrifty fabric and bedspreads made for fabulous curtains. Mo had some adorable dishes and decorative items.The vintage barbeque set was found at Goodwill for a few bucks and never used - could not pass it up.

Bailey seems to be at home in the Alma - watching the moon and never jumped out.

The trailer is filled with little touches, vintage pot holder and apron.

The curtain pull backs were painted by Laura.

This original mini oil painting was found at an auction.

A few of the GLAM items - an antique cutting board and sterling silver tea caddy.

The toaster was a gift from a work friend of Laura - fits perfect- matches the original paper light shade. We did find we need very low wattage bulbs so not to burn the wood paneling.

Paper towel holder - painted, oiled and up.

Yes, we did work late into the night but we had music and drinks so all was good.

The clock an auction find last weekend.

Cups were mine and cup holder was found at Gaga's Antiques in Riverside MI

On another note, we did not start working until later on Saturday because we were busy treasure hunting.  We both had some good finds....Mo took the prize though.  She had so much stuff I had to sit in the back of the car with the dog on my lap on the way home!!  We also checked out a campground, KOA in Coloma, to see the different amenities.

Gaga's store was unique, but I loved the building- the facade was added from old columns that were to have been added to "Mary's Fire proof Hotel" in Benton Harbor- the building was never completely finished as designed so these pillars were in a field along the road. I love that hotel!

Sunday was the final touches and photo time.  As evidenced by the pics, all our (opps..and Swede's) hard work was worth it. Now we have all summer to go on adventures and fill up the Alma with our Picks!!!

We have water and electric!

We have water! Bought the correct type of hose - always something more to buy!

Scott had to replace the outside electrical plug he is really very amazing.

The old plug, the new one is bigger so he had to make the hole bigger- We really are close to getting on the road!

Not much left to do in the Alma!

Scotts an amazing carpenter skills!  We have a table and benches with storage!

The table lowers to create a bed. We needed to angle the corners of the table so we could get our butts past the corner of the counter on the left side. Now we just need to make a mattress and cushions for the benches. 

The back bed fits a twin mattress - but will be a little narrow - we could order a custom sized mattress, but the money is running low.

Now the sewing begins, curtains, pillows, fabric is picked out. There are still a few cosmetic things to do- but the major work is done- look out we will be hitting the road by the end of the month. We still need a name and an outside paint job- the maiden voyage may come first!

We have Fire!

When Laura was up for Easter to Michigan she picked up a new propane tank- and last weekend we got to see if we could blow up the Alma.

The stove, oven and the light we have named "the decapitator" all use propane.

I was hoping to remove the stove to paint it- but it was not coming out easily so we decided to see if it would work first.

Well it works, so now we do not want to take it out - just in case it does not go back in easily - so we will need to work on plan "B". The heater runs with Kerosene and the stove heats the trailer so fast- we are going to not worry about using it at this point. We are really more worried about being to hot not too cold.

"The decapitator" is located over the table, but since there is not a table yet, every time you move around that part of the trailer you ram your head into it- we have all done it!

All the wood for the dinette / bed is cut, stained and painted- and Scott will be installing it this weekend! We are almost ready for our first trip!

Fabric options for the Alma

Well I was up in northern Illinois last Saturday and had hopes of doing some junking....

Unfortunatly, I had more to do than time to do it.  I did make it to Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, where they were having an antique show.  Not much there for the thrifty girl...inspirational but a little pricy.  I happened to run in tp  Mo's mom- The true expert on locating good finds. 

She gave the name of a place in Dekalb that sells vintage fabric. 

Long story short,  I spent the better part of the afternoon there.  The store is called Moxie's...resale meets Urban Outfitters.

They had tons of great clothes, books, nick-knacks and retro textiles.  It was tough to make a decision,  hence all the pics.  I ended up buying two remnants. 

This is something Mo and I will need to consider together. 

Getting very excited about the maiden voyage of the Alma ( or what ever her name is)!!  Champange is chilling for the occasion.

More paint and a new lock

Well, once again Mo is  off on a whirlwind adventure and Scott and I are left stranded in the Midwest.  Anyone else see a pattern???

All is coming along great with the cabinet doors.  Almost got a complete second coat, and they are really looking good.  I was a little apprehensive about the green, but it looks fabulous with the yellow.  Just a little more work and they will be ready to go back to Michigan!!!

The Alma Trailer now has a lock.

While Laura was painting, Scott was fixing the lock, securing the floor, tearing our a wall for more room for the benches and table, buying the wood and spending hours working on the plans for the bench, table/ convertible bed.

I guess I should feel guilty for taking off while Laura and Scott worked... on second thought the point of this blog is to chronicle the road trips... so I have to do my part and continue to go on the road... I have to admit I did not do any picking- almost went to the Good Will in Edwards, but ran out of time. next trip - Kansas in a week, and then Seattle - I hope they can finish the trailer soon so I can stop flying on my trips!

New Sub floor and FREE Paint

If you remember the nasty carpet came up early in the process revealing nasty tile.

Scott ripped up the nasty tile this weekend to reveal a nasty rotted sub floor.

No more old sub floor!

NEW sub floor and ready for tile- I wanted to use some left over cork- but Scott thinks it may be too high- so we may need to buy vinyl squares- I think this would be fine- might even add to the color fun,

While Scott was working on the trailer- Laura and I were not even there - We owe him big!

FREE PAINT!!!
That is what Ace Hardware was giving away this past Saturday.  Scott, Mo and I all went in for our free quart.  I made a couple of observations....One) Our paint colors are incredibly hard to match.  Moe and I both had to pick "off colors"  for accent work.  Two) This may not be true everywhere, but there is something to be said for the small friendly hardware store. They really are helpful and knowledgeable.   It is a refreshing change from the big box.  Also,  puttering around the garden on Saturday made me realize that road trips are on the horizon......We need to get that Alma ready and go find some junk!!!

Scotts next job is building the table and benches that will convert into a bed. It is hard to decide exactly how this will look.

The cabinet doors are almost done

Laura here...
I spent most of Saturday afternoon painting the inside of our Alma cabinets.  Since Mo went on a roadtrip without yours truly, I may as well be productive.  Before priming I discovered some problems.... One, we were going to need to sand. Also, there were varnish "drips" that needed to be scraped off. Mo's very kind husband, not the devil, as stated earlier, totally helped me out. (he was also left home)

I went to Home Depot, where I was lucky enough to have someone help me that really knew her stuff.  She matched my swatches perfectly and set me up with an additional primer for under the green. I did yellow for the doors and green for drawers.

 Still deciding on the rest.  I am more than half done and hope to finish  this week!

Scott seemed to think the variety of colors is an early indication of mental illness.   BUT,
I think the bright colors are really going to pop, and will give the trailer some character.

While Laura was slaving away in the basement painting, I was enjoying a day at the Milwaukee Herb Society Spring Symposium learning about the Herb of the year. . . the Rose. for more info check out my other blog http://gardeningnotlandscaping.blogspot.com/. Of course I had to do a little "picking " during the trip, my mom and I stopped by Legacies a store that is filled with their Estate Sale finds. I found a few pieces of Russel Wright Pottery, in one of the colors I collect. Legacies was packed with people buying. My mom is not happy about me telling anyone about them- this is one of her favorite spots, always finding something. I have had luck here as well. The roses are from the symposium.