Miz Lizzie is nearly ready for her last ride with us.
I have spent the days since we got back on Saturday afternoon emptying her out. It’s amazing how much you accumulate without noticing over 5 years. And also amazing that it’s been 5 years already. Still, she has done sterling service, and is now heading over to Yard 5, where Uncle Mitch the caravan whisperer will give her a makeover and prepare her to be holiday accommodation. Less rollyness, more cosyness, as it were.
The Husband has to empty the tool box at the front, but everything else is clear. I’ve wiped and swept, but I’m not sure how much point there is to that, since Mitch will undoubtedly be ripping out some of the panelling and moving stuff around.
In the process of clearing out I saw that the blind for the clear top half of the door was stained from top to bottom, and I wasn’t able to wash whatever it was out.
I love this fabric. It’s furnishing weight, and I found a small piece of it and managed to eke out these two cushions (still going strong) and the window blind from it by piecing very, very carefully.
So I wasn’t going to just throw the blind away. I cut out all the motifs that were (mostly) unaffected by the stain, and I’m appliquéing them with blanket stitch to a piece of matching-ish fabric to make yet another cushion. Miz Lizzie’s heritage lives on. The original cushions will be migrating to VanEssa too.
Speaking of VanEssa, after we have delivered Miz Lizzie to Mitch, we are then having a new hitch connector fitted to the ute (flat 12 instead of 7 pins). Once that’s done, we can go fetch VanEssa, bring her home and I can start playing! The previous owners have left stuff, but I’m not quite sure how much or where, or what it’s like, so it’s all to be discovered. I’m developing quite the list of things to make for her, first of all being new sheets for at least one of the bunks. The Husband’s original set fits his new bunk, but my set is far too small, since my original bunk was a lot shorter.
It’s hard to wait, I want to get in there and get cracking!
talltalesfromchiconia 
I remember this fabric! I’m pleased you were able to rescue the important bits. I like to think of us as flitting around so thought the bees and birds motifs were apt caravan mood… we had bluebirds of happiness sticker decals on our previous and also put them on to the new-to-us van, and as repair patches for outdoor chairs.
I think birds and insects describe van nomads very well! That Splendid Fairy Wren is my favourite. If you love a bluebird, I think I have a trinket for your van! PS: J has put in his leave application for next year. We’ll be in NH 8-17 Feb!
*butterflies not bees!
Busy Beautiful Bugs Beginning with B…
Miz Lizzie had a good ride! Glad she gets to keep on giving people some fun holiday time. Looking forward to seeing what you do with VanEssa.
Considering her age, she had some adventures. I’m glad there’ll be less highway work for her in the future, and more basking in the sun. I have already decided that the recently completed Anemone quilt is going on my bunk, but I’ll have to make something new for the Husband…
Was that really five years ago? That does surprise me. Happy memories though and good to revive loved pieces.
It was, and I agree, it doesn’t feel like it at all. I’m glad I could rescue these little winged creatures for further adventures.
Beautiful fabric with happy vibes for travelers.
And you know how I like to reuse and recycle. This way, we bring a little of Miz Lizzie with us.
End of one era and the start of another – with a little bit of overlap to tie things in.
Exactly!
So Exciting! By the way– Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!
Thank you, and the same to you!
She has done well your Miz Lizzie 🥰
Onwards & upwards for the both of you. I’m sure she will be good for the next owner as well.
And so glad the cushions will go with you to your new girl VanEssa ❣️your nomadic butterflies & all.
Can’t wait to see the new girl kitted out and will get a first hand look next year too 🤩
So so excited 😍😍😍
I’m not sure if any of the cushion birds are migratory by nature, but they’re definitely migrating to a new home! I’ll be posting the ‘dress up VanEssa’ photos without a doubt.
It doesn’t seem five years since she first arrived, the cushions make a lovely keepsake. Looking forward to seeing Vanessa
I know! It seems both much longer and ‘it can’t be that long’! We’ve had such great travels with her and made such good memories. I’m glad she’s going to a good home where I know she’ll be well treated.