The trailer is a WHAT?!

Sorry for the long lapse of time between posts. Things have been busy/hectic here, and I do have an update on the new "Croppin' Cabin."

I contacted Juergen Eichermueller to help me identify the cute little canned ham trailer. After about a week of digging through his archives, I sent him an email of the hubcaps in case they were "important." I actually thought they looked like they had a "W" in the center, so I wondered if the trailer was an old Winnebago. I'd tried doing internet searches, but all the 60's model Winnebagos looked entirely different from this one. What's funny is that we nearly cross-posted on our emails..he had just opened his Winnebago archives as I was sending pictures of the hubcaps.

As it turns out, the trailer is a 1960 Winnebago 15 foot trailer. Only 28 of these were made & manufactured in Forest City, IA in the later part of 1959, and sold in 1960.

So...who would have thought? Due to the rarity of the trailer, I felt it best that I give it a chance at a restoration if anyone was interested. As of yet, the right person hasn't come along so it's looking favorable for it staying in my possession and becoming the new Croppin' Cabin.

Oh, and thanks for the name suggestions!! We have named her "Winnie," and it seems fitting for the time being.

I tried selling Winnie on Craigslist, but I had a lot of real interest that became lost among the weirdos. I had some guy INSIST that it wasn't rare at allllll, even though there were only 28 made. Gee, I dunno...28 is pretty freaking rare if you ask me. Genius.

I spent a day cleaning, disinfecting, bleaching, and preparing Winnie for whatever her future may have in store. The quilt is the quilt that my grandma made for me...I just thought it looked nice. The curtains are the Scrapbooking Bee curtians, Debbie Mumm Creative Woman line, and my mom made those for me when I was redoing the Shasta. I wanted to try them out and see if they "fit" in case Winnie stays in the family--I think they worked great!



So, as it stands now, Winnie is in limbo at the moment. I'd like to see someone buy her and restore her, and there had been some talk of putting her in a museum in OH. I have decided that if no one stumbles along and buys Winnie before it warms up, I am definitely continuing on with my plans to convert her into a scrapbooking studio. At first I was really disappointed and felt guilty for even considering doing anything like that to such a rare old trailer, but now I'm getting excited again. She really IS the perfect "canned ham" trailer!

Aluminitis, Part 3

Betcha' can't guess where this post is headed...:smirk: So we traveled to the big town of Corydon, IA last Sunday to check out this little piece of trailer history. I was really anxious on the way there because I was worrying about it not being what we thought, and hoped, that it was going to be.

We pulled into their driveway and the minute I laid my eyes on it, I knew it was just as I had pictured. I can't really say that I was even disappointed in anything other than the screen door was aluminum vs wooden as I had hoped. I have to say it was a little disheartening to open the door and be greeted with black paint glaring back at us. Black walls, black ceiling, you name it--it was black. "Love Shack" was written in neon glow-in-the-dark paint above the door, and everything original but the sink had been removed and replaced with a large dorm-sized refrigerator and a full-sized bed and mattress. First stop will be to find somewhere to dispose of the unwanted bed...the Love Shack will be no more.

We have no idea what brand, make, model or even year of the trailer might be. I checked all over for the faintest sign of a sticker or other identifying mark and found nothing. There were some numbers on the tongue, but I believe they were the serial numbers for the tongue, not the trailer. I'm hoping someone with more knowledge than I stumbles upon my blog and can shed some insight on year, make, etc based on the few original parts that are left.

We haven't towed the trailer home yet, but I did snap some pictures for you to see in the meantime.

Bye-Bye, Croppin Cabin

Last weekend was a sad weekend for me. After much deliberation, frustration, and sadness...I made the difficult decision to sell the Shasta. I shed tears...I listed it, then immediately had seller's remorse and UNlisted it, then thought it over some more and relisted it.

The Shasta was a beautiful thing...it was nearly 40 years old, with shining wings and original everything. I didn't find the Shasta because I was looking for a vintage/classic trailer to restore--I found it because I was searching for an inexpensive trailer that I could take my kids camping in and make some memories with. And we did that. But a year later, I realized that I could continue on my journey, getting more & more in over my head financially & emotionally, or I could cut my losses and sell it. I chose the latter. The fact remains that I do not have the manpower to do most of what is left of the restoration--the water heater, the gas lines, the pump, the paint. It was the coziest trailer ever, which was nice when it was just the dog & I, but when the kids, Robert, the dog, and I all went camping--it was a little too cozy. The layout wasn't the most practical for 5 of us and 1 big dog..with the beds all at one end on top of each other. Without air conditioning it was like being packed in a tin can at times.

Of course I'm sad..I had high hopes, dreams, and plans for the future for that little piece of American history on wheels. It's value was immeasureable, not because of it's worth in terms of being a trailer, but more it's worth in what it brings to a family..a piece of history, nostalgia, and fun. Everywhere the Shasta went, people wanted to see it, comment on it, tell me about their trips with Grandpa in one just like it.

Some kind folks from Olathe, KS made the trip on Sunday and took the Shasta home..here is a pic I took after I set it up for them to inspect; call it a "Farewell picture," if you will:



I will have another vintage trailer at some point in time-I know that for sure. Once you have the Vintage Trailer bug, it never escapes you...it's part of you...you notice them in backyards, in driveways, at campgrounds. I know better what I'm looking for--a canned-ham shape, a bed at one end, etc, etc. I'll know the PERFECT Croppin' Cabin when I see it.

And what are we going to do for camping in the meantime? Well, we do still have a TENT (everyone groan together now!)but we are actively looking for a replacement..something much longer/bigger, with the beds spread out, and some a/c. Oh, and something functional. We're going to see one on Monday...maybe it will follow us home?

I've sprung a leak. . .

It finally happened...every vintage trailer owner's worst nightmare--the LEAK. We've had a lot of rain here, lots of flooding and closed roads and schools, etc., so I suppose it was inevitable that THIS was going to happen...the Croppin' Cabin has a leak. I panicked, and wondered if I could even FIND where the leak was..was it in the middle of the roof and running to the lowest spot, or was it directly in the door...HOW IS A GIRL SUPPOSED TO KNOW THESE THINGS..?? I'm still trying to find missing parts & rennovate & learn to back up. Now I have a leak, too? Good golly, Molly!

After surveying the situation, I determined that said leak was coming from a faulty aluminum drip cap above the exterior of the door. (Chris from Classic Shastas (visit his site at www.vintageshastas.com) told me what this was..I was calling it a rain guard...haha I'm still learning, so cut a girl some slack!)



I assume that nearly 40 years ago, this drip cap fit flush & snug against the body of the Shasta, and the rain ran along it instead of under it and into the door. In 2008, however, the drip cap decided it was tired and took on a lazy position, and what with the multitude of inches of rain we've received lately, it let most of that run underneath and through the crack in the top of the door, where it pooled up at the top of the metal frame, causeing buckling above the door:



. .and then ran down the frame on both sides of the door, causing damage & rot in both corner cabinets:



Not pretty. Not nice, and NOT fun. And see this little piece of metal trim that runs along the bottom of the door and on the floor..a threshold, so to speak..well it doesn't screw in anymore:



This is what our backyard looks like right now, compliments of Mother Nature:





So..in a pinch and not sure what else to do, I grabbed a caulking gun & some clear silicone caulk and went around the top of the drip cap...however it's hot, and humid...and we're getting more rain & storms tonight, so I can only hope for the best. Chris from Classic Shasta also recommended another product that won't wear down like the silicone does..a product called Geo-Cel. I'm anxious to try it..my silicone job was rather sloppy, as you might have noticed, so I'll be happy to remove it and apply the new product.

And while I'm at it, thanks to all of my Classic & Vintage Shasta group friends out there...The information that you all provide during this trailer process is inmeasureable..and I love you guys for it! PS--your trailers are FABULOUS.

Weinie Roast, anyone?

So we have this HUGE tree in our backyard that was hit by lightning a couple of years ago..and every week before my neighbor mows, and before I mow, we have to spend a lot of time picking up the fallen branches & limbs from said tree. This has always been a problem because the city picks up yard waste the last week of the month, or so they say...Often times I've lugged it all out there only to find it still sitting long after the trash goes by. Then I lug it back to the back yard..it's a mess. After all of the storms & rain we've had this year, Reta & I both have a rather large pile of limbs/branches piling up beside the back fence...

So...I was thinking about how much my kids love to camp, and the campfire..and how we sure would like to cook on a campfire at home once in a while, and today while I was at Walmart I picked up a firepit. It was $50, and it burns wood. You know..WOOD..like the fallen branches/limbs. It's the perfect solution!! The bottom of my pile is seasoned enough to burn, and now I can take Reta's pile of sticks and burn those, too.

So you can guess what we're having for dinner tonight..

OTHER MISC NEWS: I talked to my sister today, and my BIL has offered to graciously install the Pergo floor in the Croppin' Cabin in exchange for some help organizing their office. As soon as Summer Adventure is over, I'll load the kids up for Grandma's, and I'll take the Cabin to my sister's house. He can install the Pergo, and I'll organize. I'm really excited..it's very sweet of them to give me the floor, and an extra bonus that he's installing it. I think it's really going to change the look of the interior, and definitely add a coziness to the cabin.

And a girl from Freecycle contacted me today about a train case that she has..I am very excited. Robert also said that I could have the one we found at the yard sale a few weeks ago--the new wore off of it today and he became tired of digging to the bottom to find what he needed, so it looks like I've gained 2. I'm VERY excited to start altering those. :gasp:

AND..last but not least by ANY means, my sweet, sweet, super-sweet mom came to my rescue again today. I was telling her that I was going to buy a 1.5" Memory Foam topper for the Cabin because the futon mattress resembled sleeping on concrete, and she offered to let me have the queen-size one that she has as she doesn't really like it. I think it will fit inside the futon cover since it is only 1.5", and I hope it helps. If not I'll be forced to buy the 4" one, which seems awfully tall.

And if you've read this long, then I admire you...that's all of the happenings around the Croppin' Cabin homestead for now...check back tonight or tomorrow for pictures of our first campfire at home!

Campin' in the Cabin

The kids went with their dad this weekend, so I thought it would be fun to take the Croppin' Cabin out to the lake for a weekend of leisurly camping & scrapping. Sadie was all for the trip..she loves it out there. It smells like other dogs, racoons, and hot dogs..what's not to like?

Anyway, Robert spent most of Friday night with me, but I had most of Saturday and all of Saturday night alone..I scrapped, and I listened to music, and I cuddled with Sadie, and then I made some popcorn & watched Dirty Dancing.

I took some pictures so you can see the cozy cabin..it's still a long way from being finished..I can't wait to get the new dinette cushions and paint. ENJOY! (PS...see that blue vintage train case..Robert & I found that at a yard sale for $2...we nearly fought over it but I let him have it. I think I need to steal it back though--it's perfect for the Cabin!)










Awww, peekaboo Sadie girl!




This was Sadie's position while I scrapped all night:

The new cabinet hardware is up!

The Croppin' Cabin has been taken over by little spaceships...Okay, not really, but the new cabinet pulls/handles are installed. I bought light pine wood putty and hoped for a good match, and it was..I puttied the existing holes, and Robert drilled new ones (centered.)It isn't perfect, and I noticed when the handles were off that there's significant wear/staining around the handle area. I had originally decided NOT to paint the lovely 70's blonde interior, and then I decided that I would, and then I decided again that I would not (are we seeing a pattern here??...someone save me from myself!). Now I think I may need to, although the spaceships are quite a bit larger than the original pulls.

How do you guys think they look?





In OTHER exciting news, Mom came over today and we went to see Dad at the nursing home. They were waxing the dining room floor on his wing, so we took him out the doors and to the main cafeteria (aka restaurant.) While there, Jordan noticed they had a big pool table in the back....she & I started playing, and Mom finally convinced Dad to come & help us. (Trust me..we needed it!) Anyway, lo & behold we discover that he not only used to be quite the pool player, but he REMEMBERS HOW. He knew how to hold the stick, what ball to hit, which angle to use..he was AWESOME. He got them in left & right. He even helped Jordan. It was a great thing to see..my dad showing/sharing something with my child..I thought those days were long gone. *sniff sniff* (Please excuse the bad pictures..I only had my phone and I got paint on the lense last summer..oops.)





Anyway, we went to Walmart after that and I showed Mom the new fabric I'd decided on for the dinette & futon/sofa for the Croppin' Cabin. We ended up buying all 5 yards that they had so I'm sure we'll be looking for more..

Guess what, though??? I'm not telling you what it is or what it looks like. You're just going to have to wait & see.

Tommorrow I need to do some quick & serious card making..I need to make a Father's Day card for Dad (thinking I might do something with a truck, or pool table?? hehe) and the kids want me to help them make one for their dad, too. I was thinking I might try my hand at an exploding box, but not sure I'll have time. I'll be sure to post pics of whatever I come up with!

Birthday Happenings

We had 2 parties for Kid 3 this past weekend..we had one at home for her friends, and then a small family party at our campsite later that night...wienie roast & marshmallows & the whole bit.

I was so rushed on time this week, and someone on the Circut mb had posted some cupcakes she had made for her son...so I modified this idea (thanks for the scraplift, Uh-Oh-Mommys*Addicted)!! Hers was way cuter, but I think I did okay..I was leaning towards a similar idea and she REALLY helped me pull it all together in my mind..If you want to see hers, you can find her on the Cricut MB..she posted it in the Crafts thread...you should go have a look!

I printed the Scooby online, adhered it to chipboard (Cheerios box..haha) and then colored it in with pencils & softened it with mineral spirits. My sister called while I was doing this and asked what I was doing, and I told her I was "coloring a Scooby." She questioned my sanity I do believe, but we moms have no limits to what we'll stoop to! I cut a large scallop for the plate, and used some dowel rods to support the sign & Scooby. I added some Stickles to Scooby's collar & nose & spots. (I knew that Black Diamond Stickles would come in handy!)





And here's a picture of the gift bags we made for the little party guests..we found the bags 2/$1 at the Dollar Tree, and filled them with Smarties, play doh, silly putty, and scented bubbles. Then we found those pretty colored file folders 4/$1 at the Dollar Tree, and we printed out Scooby coloring sheets and hole punched them to fit in the folders, then tied them with ribbon. I made the tags for the bags with Tags, Bags, Boxes & More, of course. I then stamped them with a small Thank You stamp from Stampin' Up. (Found the set at a yard sale this summer for $7..yay!)



Here's a picture of some of my family members enjoying our little campsite..no, I didn't ask first..don't tell them I posted their pictures, okay? (giggle)That'll just be our little secret..






And you can see a brief glimpse of the Croppin' Cabin in the background..in all her unfinished glory:





Oh, and here's Kid 3 kicking my sister's hiney at a game of Ladder Golf..new game for my sister..she was pretty good though. Kudos to her! (It stinks to get beaten too badly by a 6-year-old..I speak from experience.)



Oh..and one more picture of the jellybean paper cake..right before they took their pieces home and devoured the beans.

Croppin' Cabin has new curtains!

So my wonderful, fantastic, super-sweet mom finished the new curtains for the Croppin' Cabin..and she did them in a hurry, too, so that we could have them for the first camping trip of the season last weekend. Thanks, Mom! (Do I have a great mom or what??)

Anyway, here's a picture...these are the Debbie Mumm Creative Woman line, and the print is called Scrapbooking Bee, in red. You can scroll down to a previous post & see a close up of the fabric if you'd like. She lined them for me, too, to help minimize fade.




And the new cabinet pulls came in today..and the centers aren't the right distance. OOPS. I don't know what happened with that..I know I measured, and I remember emailing the company & asking them, but they still aren't right. I freaked out at first, naturally, but now I'm going to buy some wood putty that matches the cabinets and have Robert drill new holes for the new pulls..the puttied-in hole will be under the new pulls anyway. Whew.

AND..last but not least..this is kind of exciting! On my way out to the campground this weekend, I passed this little beauty in the parking lot not far from our house. I turned around & went back, and asked the gentleman if I could take a picture of his car. What a BEAUTY! I asked him the color and he said it was "dusk pearl." I think it *might* be the new stripe color for the Croppin' Cabin..let me know what you all think??

Cabinet Pulls...or spaceships?

So I've probably made about 5 trips to Home Depot, and countless hours online, searching for cabinet pulls for the Croppin' Cabin. I was inspired by the new light fixtures, and I finally decided on some new pulls today, too. Here is what the Croppin' Cabin was graced with nearly 40 years ago:



And here is what I am replacing them with:



Now if I hadn't mentioned "space ship," would you have thought there was a resemblance? I have to say.."space" wasn't really the theme I was going for, but some Shasta sista's mentioned there was a slight resemblance.

I guess we'll just have to see when they're installed..I'll be sure to post an updated pic when I get them on!

Workin' on the Cabin..

So..Robert & I have spent the past 3 days working on the Shasta...aka The Croppin' Cabin. The kids & I are pulling it out to our fave camping spot this weekend and having a family party for Kid #3 on Saturday, and I wanted to get all the major cleaning, etc done, and there were some things that I needed his help with. He's such a good sport! hehe

Anyway...the toilet issue is still unresolved, but we did find 3 new interior lights that were 110...the originals were broken, all but 1. I found these at Home Depot for $45 for the set of 3. It was more than I had originally hoped to spend on lights, but it's difficult to find a light small enough for the camper & that has an on/off switch..Here they are..brushed nickel with frosted glass globes:




And then Robert made shelves for my closet..and did the new ceiling. (I had ripped the bathroom & closet ceilings down last year because of the dry rot.)

And then I found this little gem at a yard sale last weekend..It is a fabric lamp..Robert bought it for me..it's going into the Croppin' Cabin eventually, along with the furry gray pillows that you see below in the next picture. I'm thinking of doing polka dots on the navy sofa there with some pink & red fabric paint, but haven't gotten that far yet. I will also add more throw pillows, and a throw..waiting to see what fabric I can find for embellishing. I'm hoping to add some shag or furry throw rugs, too.





My wonderful, wonderful, extremely talented MOM is working on the new curtains for me...here is the fabric:



So..I still have a long way to go, but it's getting there. My sister & BIL are giving me some Pergo for the new floor..I cannot WAIT to get it installed..I think it will add some warmth & give a very nice cozy feel to the Croppin' Cabin!

If you have any suggestions or comments about how to fix up the Cabin, I would love to hear them!