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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

My Vintage Camper

I finally found a vintage camper!!!

Next summer I plan to paint the outside white, the middle "quilted" part between the windows will be yellow and the shutters and door will be white.

After searching for months out west and here I finally found exactly what I wanted.

I still have to pinch myself...I can't believe I finally have my very own vintage camper!!!
These will be the "before" pictures...I plan to keep 'decorating' it and posting as it progresses.


It's a 1969 Trailblazer made in Spencer, Wisconsin.
Not very common but I was sold on the floor plan, the shutters on the windows, the louvered windows on the door, the yellow Formica table and cupboards and it's in great condition. 

I've never seen another camper model with window shutters!

It's so bright and cheerful inside even if it's cloudy, it puts me in a good mood as soon as I step into it. I spend most of my days inside fussing over how to decorate it or just sitting there crocheting a giant yellow rose pillow.


You can't read the tan cardboard sign very well but it says "No Boys Allowed!"

Everything works, it's clean and looks like it was hardly used.
Only the front burner on the stove was used and very little, the sink looks barely used and the ice box just a little. The old linoleum floor is in great shape and no leaks or rot or funny odors.


The inside is cluttered while I try to decide what fabric to use to recover the seat cushions and curtains.
I found my Grandma's old transistor radio and it still works...AM only...but how appropriate for the era.

The Formica has a paisley pattern, not visible here but if the image is enlarged it's easy to see and it's in beautiful condition.

Notice the Coleman gas lantern in the middle of the upper cupboards.



The cupboard doors open up like an airplane overhead compartment, I love that!


I also found my mom's old Melmac set for 12 and a few Pyrex bowls and her old coffee pot.


I'll cover the drawer doors with birch bark wallpaper to give it that up north cabin feel.

I was trying to decide on a theme but there are so many choices. When we went up north to pick it up (200 miles north) we went right past Bay Lake where I would spend many weekends as a little girl at my Grandparents cabin. Lots of good memories and all the familiar scenery.

I wanted to bring in that cabin feel yet add chenille, crochet and vintage fabrics. I'll add my mom's old fishing poles and tackle box...the women were the fisherwomen in our family. Myself, my mom and her mom, I was practically raised in a boat. None of the men cared much for fishing including Mr Wild..


There's an overhead bunk that is folded up and out of the way. I wrapped an old chenille bedspread over the couch/bed cushion because they are an ugly orange and gold upholstery.


The logo for Trailblazer, this is on the awning and faded. the one below is a photo off an older Trailblazer.
A design so typical of the 60's. There was a small grocery store/bar that the neighbor girl and I would walk up to at the lake. It was called White Hawk...maybe I'll call the camper that...not sure.


Sort of fits with the Indian logo.

We do intend to use it. I hope to tow it when I go to rug hooking camps and Mr. Wild says we can use it in the mountains, it's so light and tows so easily. I'll have to box up all my breakables and pack them away each time though....

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking to:
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

65 comments:

  1. AWESOME and how FUN!!! A little place just for you! Have fun making it "yours'!
    deb

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  2. WOW!!! I want one! Faye, how wonderful to find your perfect vintage camper. It is so adorable. I grew up camping with both sets of grandparents. I talk about getting a vintage camper all the time, but hubby is a city boy and he just doesn't get it.

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  3. Hi Faye...I tried to comment on previous posts the other day, but blogger was making me crazy! deleting my comments.
    So, I'm back and going to try again.
    Your camper is adorable! How fun to decorate it, and actually plan on using it too!!!
    What a great find!!!!!!!!!!!!
    xxxooo

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  4. Simply adorable. Will you be traveling with this find or will you use it at home? It looks in such good condition. Congratulations in your find. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.

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  5. Your camper is so precious! I have wanted one forever, and it's such a great inspiration! Enjoy, and we look forward to seeing more photos.
    Cheers, Andrea

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  6. What a great camper! You're one lucky girl to find exactly what you wanted. I'm visiting from Wow Us Wednesday.

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  7. Congrats on finding your dream camper! It already looks inviting with those pretty mums out front. Hope you have lots of fun with your new toy.

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  8. I can see why you fell in love with it! It is the sweetest camper!

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  9. Love this! Can't wait to see it decorated. Any idea a good place to get birch bark wallpaper? I need some for the back of a bookcase.

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  10. Now that's what I call a camper. I love that it is small and cozy. What fun to decorate!

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  11. Love the camper!!! I'd love to have one in pink and white but not how long it would last in the snow belt, so sad. Enjoy!!! Laura Cottage and Broome

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  12. What a lovely, fun camper!

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  13. Such cuteness!!! I love all the family touches you have added. I know you're going to have a great time fixing it up!!!

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  14. Oh.My. Goodness. FAYE....you lucky gal you!!

    Your new little trailer is adorable!! I want one in the worst way! Just love yours! Can't wait to see it when you are all done adding your special touches! I know it will be amazing!!

    What a joy for you!
    Hope it brings you loads of fun memories!!

    Have a cozy evening, sweetie!!
    Hugs,
    Becky

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  15. You lucky girl...what a great find! I hope to have a vintage trailer some day, so looking forward to upcoming posts of your new treasure. I am your newest follower, happy camping!

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  16. Wow, this is awesome..lucky you!! Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.

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  17. That is a gem. It'll be so much fun to redecorate.

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  18. Oh my gosh! This is fabulous!! I can't believe the great condition it's in too -- LOVE the formica inside and the appliances! How fun it will be to decorate!

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  19. LOVE it Faye!
    If you ever plan a road trip to Mass you must come camping where I camp...how fun it would be!!

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  20. I love it! It's adorable. I love the butterfly gold pyrex.

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  21. Just found your blog over at Kathleens and quickly became a follower. Your little camper is awesome!!!!! I can't wait to see more decorating of it. It will be a lot of fun:)
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

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  22. How much fun...and the sigh
    "no boys" well that is just great. Enjoy decorating it and all the trips you will have in it.

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  23. Faye what an adorable trailer!! Super super cute! A great treasure to be sharing. Thanx for coming to the party! Hope your week is going well!

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  24. OMG, it's adorable! I would love to find a vintage trailer too! Can't wait to see you fix it all up!!

    Tania

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  25. So glad I found your site tonight. It is nice to meet you and I love your adorable camper.
    Oh how I would love to have one of these myself.
    Looking forward to being a new follower and getting to know you
    Maggie

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  26. You are so lucky. That is the cutest thing. I love my RV. I have started to decorate it. Now look for things for next year. Can't wait to see what you do with it, And I love the name White Hawk sounds perfect.

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  27. This is so cute and you even have the retro dishes to go with it. Looking forward to your changes.

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  28. You found it! How exciting! This is going to be fun watching it's transition into Wild Rose Vintage style!

    I appreciate you linking to Potpourri Friday! You are such a big help in making it a success!

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  29. I would love one of these in my yard. A great place to get away to. It doesn't even have to move!
    Nice find!
    Susan

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  30. This is so cute...we love camping! You even have the vintage dishes, too! andrea@townandprairie

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  31. Your camper is adorable! Mu aunt has a similar vintage camper that she and my uncle are currently redoing- theirs is not nearly as in good of condition as yours however! Dropping in from French Country Cottage. :)

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  32. Your own playhouse!! This is so awesome! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  33. I'm feeling a little jealous. Love your new project!

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  34. You lucky girl. I want one soooo bad. I can't wait to see all your finishing touches....enjoy!

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  35. How cool is that?? I love your camper. You will have so much fun with it :)

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  36. Adorable! What a cute find! It looks like it is in great shape, too!

    ~Shanon

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  37. Vintage campers seem to be the "in" collectable these days...so happy for you! Virginia Woolf was so VERY right...we each need a room of our own!

    Deborah ♥♥ (visiting happily from http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/... hope you can drop by and say hi too!)

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  38. you may intend to paint it white and yellow, but you can color me green! have fun.
    paige

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  39. I have always wanted a little trailer... and yours is just darling. Can not wait to see your after and all that you have done to your new toy!! Have fun!
    Bobbie

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  40. Wow, great little camper. Great find.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Michele

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  41. Congratulations on finding your cute little camper! It looks like it's in great condition. Decorating it sounds like so much fun!
    Enjoy!
    ~cathy

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  42. Be still my heart~ that is the Sweetest little trailer, Ever! That is totally my dream, to have a vintage little trailer & travel the USA... I can't wait to see what you do with everything....
    Cheryl

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  43. Oh the fun you will have in this fabulous find and the memories you will make. Your trailblazer is wonderful!

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  44. Congratulations on your find! I can't wait to see your progress pictures as you decorate!

    I don't have my own vintage camper (yet), but I love seeing the transformation of these little snapshots of history :)

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  45. I would love to have one of these!! Since I don't I am going to imagine making some yellow and white gingham curtains with pompom fringe for the windows!

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  46. Love your cute little camper! I've secretly wanted to buy one and refinish the whole thing ;)

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  47. Hi Faye, this is just adorable!! what a fun usable project. camping in the mountains or at the lake sounds like a great getaway! Glad to hear it's in such good shape, thanks for sharing the fun at VIF, xo

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  48. That is awesome What a great camper. I would love one too. You can do so much with them. Enjoy for sure!!!

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  49. What a pleasant suprise when I read your post. I am about 12 miles from Spencer, Wi. and never knew that these little beauties had ever been manufactured there. Don't even remember seeing any around here. The camper gods must have been looking down on you.
    Can't wait to follow your project.

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  50. Great find! I love how you still had some of your mom's and grandma's things to put in it! You have a great start and you are going to have such a fun time with it!

    You should check out the Sister on the Fly, since you love to fish and camp in a vintage trailer! I just went glampin' with them...check my blog post for Monday.

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  51. Sooo cute!! My friend Sandy has a vintage trailer she has been fixing up- they are darling!! Love your ideas for it~ thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  52. Faye,
    This is fantastic! I would load that thing up and travel! Thank you for joining me for the HSH Fall Open House!
    Sherry

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  53. I'm so jealous. It looks in really good condition for its age. I like what you've done to it so far.

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  54. Hi Faye, what a darling camper. I bet you are thrilled to bits that you found the camper of your dreams. Enjoy. I found and am now following you through My Romantic Home and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris

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  55. OH this is so FUN! So happy for you and can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  56. Hi Faye, I have just discovered your gorgeous blog and I just love your caravan!
    Best wishes, Pj x

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  57. Will love watching the progress of the van.

    Kelly

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  58. How cute! Have you ever heard of Sisters On The Fly? It's a group of women with campers like yours, around 2000 members. Check the website. It makes me want to buy a camper myself

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  59. What a find! I want one, I think it would be fun to fix one up and just have a little hide away to myself.

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  60. Hey, i have a camper just like yours and looking to fix it up a little. Maybe ill post a photo here and there as the project goes.

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  61. I have a trailblazer and just starting to update it a little bit maybe ill post some photos as i go.

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  62. I'm in love with vintage trailers and yours is super sweet!!!!!

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