Like No Other...

My good friend Chris, from Just Beachy, sent me over a great link a few weeks ago. She is well aware of my love of campers, and decking them out in pretty fabrics and charm - though my own doesn't even begin to touch this beauty. It's a good thing, I guess, because if it did, I'd have to sell the house and move in. Not sure where the rest of the family would stay...

Because I'm a good mother, I'd invite them all over to have S'Mores, I guess. We'd sit on these chairs and then off they'd go.

I knew it would come to me: they could live in our present camper!!

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***(Blogged for Julia's Hooked on Party. Julia's the best, and I love her weekly round-up. I don't think anyone could argue with the fact that I'm hooked on campers!!

• all images: nochintz.com.au

With a rebel yell...

Well, we're back...early...and a little bit soggy. A "half-glass full" attitude was definitely needed to smile through an entirely rainy, inaugural camping trip! Luckily, I love it that much! Camping, that is...

Luckily, we had great company- my brother and his family - and we all get along famously! So, after settling in and gobbling down a quick, but tasty (pre-planned) supper of pork chops, salad, and curried noodles, I headed over to see my sister-in-law's own "camper makeover".

Now, if I was a good blogger, I would have remembered to take a few photos of the slip covers she stitched up herself. Because I was too excited, and travel weary, I did not. Nevertheless, she did a wonderful job and I will show you them someday...when I actually remember to snap a few photos!

Instead, I will offer up my own new slipcovers, made by my talented and kind friend, Tabitha Coleman. Tabitha is an incredibly gifted seamstress, and her attention to detail and meticulous nature always adds up to high quality creations, and I just happen to be a lucky recipient. Not only did she make slipcovers that are easy to get on and off (using velcro), she gave me covers that have borders in a different, fun fabric.

But wait!! Do you remember the hideous before fabric??

Tssk, tssk...

Now the new slipcovers:

Can you also see the cute "tin" panel that I covered my camper fridge with? It's in the background...

Sooo much better, no? I selected a Sunbrella fabric (striped) for the facings (source: Atlantic Fabrics (local) - $6.99/metre), and a cute gingham fabric with little frogs adorning it for the edges (source: Walmart -$5.99/metre).

Tabitha also made me reversible tiebacks using the two fabrics! Brilliant!!

Although I would have loved to do a kitschy floral fabric with a retro feel, I did take into consideration that I have a whole lot of testosterone raging through my family unit, and I couldn't find anything pretty enough locally (and I really wanted to keep costs down). Either way, I am delighted with the makeover that the new slipcovers have provided my little camper; and it is a brighter, more modern, and inviting place to spend two days wishing for sunshine!!

We always eat well: here is the fixings for some chicken and veggie skewers, which we paired with french bread and yellow beans...oh, and some wine for me!! Just to keep the dreary rain from getting to me!!

A few polka dots and cherries can brighten up any decor!!

Don't you love the buttery yellow enamelware??

Tabitha even made Sophie and me a purse each (above), out of the froggy fabric!!

Despite the rain, everyone was actually in quite good spirits, though not quite as content as me. I grew up NEVER taking a family trip, nor even doing any real day trips, so camping is bliss to me. I figure I will make my memories now, and I drink up the corny traditions that go along with camping: dirty feet, campfires, brushing your teeth in the open air, s'mores, and basically looking like a grubbier version of myself, but happy all the same. No sir, the rain can't keep me down - it could always be worse -we could be in a tent!!!!!

Ever so humble, happy camper!

photo source: Flikr.com

You are very nice people. Warm of heart, complimentary, encouraging...Last I checked, the comments for my playhouse post had reached the nineties. The nineties!! I don't think I have ever reached such a "comment high", and I doubt I ever will again!! I have to admit, I think I have the nicest blog readers/friends ever!! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I am seriously considering a playhouse addition to house those of you who wanted to move in. Only, you know I will put you to work...babysitting, mowing, cooking...so you may want to rethink that notion!

In other good news, I am finally embarking on a camping trip, and my lonely camper has been getting a bit of a makeover. Last year, I added new cabinet hardware, a new "tin" panel to disguise the mini-fridge, and made a few purchases designed to make our little camper prettier. This year has been all about the slipcovers. Just for fun, my husband, daughter and I had a look through the new campers on display at our local Walmart's parking lot. I saw some purdy ones - ones with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances - but they all shared one ugly secret: they all housed sofas and cushions upholstered in the most monstrous of fabrics. This is most definitely the before photo of my camper's cushions!

Who makes the design choices for these things?? I figure it is a portly, balding man puffing on a cigar, with his polyester pants creeping below where no one woman wants to see, belching after eating a cheese dog or two, and pointing at some upholstery catalogue from 1978, exclaiming, "That one will do...just bee-yoo-tee-ful!!" At least I hope that is who is responsible...

Anyhoo, I have enlisted a friend, who just happens to be the most fantastic seamstress, to make me some new seat cushion slipcovers. True to my nature, I used fabric that was inexpensive, at hand locally, and will spruce things up on a budget. No sense upsetting my innocent husband with trivial matters. I have also ripped down the ugly valances that come with the camper and left things bare. Better nothing, than making do with ugly...

photo: Country Home

I'll show you the photos after I get back, and perhaps it will inspire those of you wrestling with the idea of making slipcovers for the ugly ducklings in your life! I'm off to pre-cook bacon, make a grocery list, and stock the food I already have, into the cupboards of the camper.

Here is my meal plan for those of you considering a camping trip of your own:

First night/day of arrival: (supper):

Pork chops (previously frozen to remain safe to eat!)

bagged salad (croutons added later)

pasta salad (kept well-chilled)

rolls

Day 2:

Breakfast: bacon (pre-cooked at home)

hash browns

maple beans (canned)

eggs

Lunch: hamburgers

potato chips

fresh fruit...

(for those who will actually bother to eat it!)

Supper: chicken and vegetable skewers:

(pre-chopped, frosen chicken breast meat, thawing in fridge), canned baby potatoes, mushrooms, red and green peppers, large chunks of Vidalia onions).

-packaged flavoured rice

-french bread (Dempster's, baked in our tiny toaster oven)

Day 3: Breakfast:

pancakes (boxed mix, just add water/milk)

Maple Leaf pre-cooked sausages

Lunch: hotdogs (we're camping, remember?).

Supper: hot and spicy pasta dish (veggies pre-chopped, chicken pre-cooked, left-over pork chop, sauce pre-mixed, just have to cook fettucini noodles).

Final day: Breakfast: cereal, muffins (baked at home, and frozen), toast

**Our meals may or may not sound a bit extravagant to some campers, but I like to prepare ahead so we can have relatively healthy, tasty meals. I figure enough chips, pop, and s'mores are eaten around the campfire, and I cannot overdo the hotdog thing...~~shudder~~...!!!

photo source: Flikr.com

photo: source unknown

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To my complete and utter amazement, the Washington Post online just selected my post about Sophie's little playhouse as their Blog Watch pick of the week!! Thank you Terri Sapienza!!