My Vintage Travelmaster Camper

Over the Memorial Day weekend, we went and picked up the vintage camper down the road from us. We know little about this camper other than she is a Travelmaster. Hooking on to the camper and pulling her out of this junk yard was much easier than I expected. We aired up one tire, hooked up, moved an A-frame, and headed out.

 We only had less than a mile to our house.

 She really is a hot mess! Whew...I started cleaning when we got home and can report the rat poop, sink, counter, and most of the cabinets are now GONE! I cleaned out all the trash and swept really good. Someone had added sheet rock to the walls and ceilings and I'm now in the process of ripping that out. The sheet rock and metal roof that was added to the single axle camper creates more weight than needed for going down the road. The structure needs some work, so the messy, ill-hung sheet rock needs to go anyway, in order to do things right. Its more than I really wanted to tackle, but I know things must be done right. Patients...

 She's parked near the yard, so that it will be easy to work on. An extension cord lets me plug a fan in while working inside and I have a window unit air conditioner that we plan to hook up soon. See that duck tape on the camper? Its gone now! I went to an estate sale yesterday and found several things "for the camper"! I know its a long way till I can decorate, but I can't pass up the perfect rug and a very antique cedar chest that could be turned into cabinets or storage.

 I have been searching online and haven't been able to find out much about Travelmaster or any original pictures of the camper. I have been able to find this ad from 1965 and the camper in the picture looks just like ours.

If anyone has pictures or links to other Travelmaster travel trailers, I would love to see them and learn more info about this camper. I have a catalog coming for camper parts, can anyone recommend a great and affordable place to get replacement parts?

I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Celebrating Being in FOLK with a Magazine Giveaway!

I am still excited about my pictures and submission being in FOLK Magazine! I learned about FOLK through Donna from Funky Junk Interiors and saw their call for Southern stories, pictures, and travels for their Summer issue (issue V) on Facebook.

We had travelled to the Ennis (Texas) Bluebonnet Trails last year and had previously shared the pictures here on my blog and with some of my Facebook friends. Several people encouraged me to submit my pictures to magazines, so when I saw the call in February, I started typing and submitted my pictures and story. Ben, the Editor of FOLK, emailed me almost immediately saying he loved my piece! All kinds of squealing and jumping up and down commenced at that point, as it had always been a dream to have something published. At this point, I only told my husband and kept the secret for 2 1/2 months. I was scared something would happen, my pictures wouldn't make the cut, or something crazy like that...so I didn't tell anyone. I never expected to have my first submission to be accepted by a magazine.

I watched my mailbox with anticipation. I was off  work the day the first magazine came. I ran back from the mailbox like a kid, ripped open the package, and opened the magazine to where I thought my article was. It wasn't there...My two page submission had been moved from the original location that I saw in the proof, but I found it near the back of the magazine instead. At this point there was lots more squealing and excitement when I saw my pictures in a national magazine! The very first time I submitted a story and pictures, I got published! It was a dream come true and a check on my bucket list!

I purchased additional copies of FOLK for some of my friends and family and will be giving away one copy right here to YOU, my blog friends! You are the ones who have supported me with all of your sweet comments and words of encouragement when I share my pictures, projects, and stories, so I want to give back to you. All you have to do is be a Gypsy Farm Girl follower (Blog, Twitter, Pinterest, or all 3) and leave a comment here, telling me you would like to win a copy of FOLK Magazine. I'll pick a lucky winner next weekend.

Please note the Giveaway is for one copy of ISSUE V of FOLK Magazine and is sponsored by ME. I will mail the magazine to USA residents only. The magazine is available at Barnes and Nobles or you can check the FOLK blog for independent bookstores near you.

Our sweet dog, Trixie even made it into FOLK!

12 Creative Junk Flower Containers

My yard has a rustic, junk yard theme this year, using recycled items for creative flower containers. I have shared several of my junk planters this spring and wanted to give an update on the flowers and share some new planters. Donna from Funky Junk Interiors is hosting a garden themed linkup this weekend with the opportunity to win a subscription to FOLK magazine, so I thought now would be a great time to share 12 of my creative flower containers.

While using this style chicken feeder for a light fixture has been popular recently, I planted flowers in mine! I honestly never though this shallow container would hold up to the east Texas heat, but it has done really well and become one of my favorite containers in the whole yard.

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 This wheelbarrow holds a whole flock of hens and chicks! Do you see the chicken feeder hanging from the rose arbor?

 The rustic bottomless bucket is still growing good and the petunias have really taken over the wash tub. I originally had planted ranuculas in with the petunias, but they didn't hold up very well.

 My nepthytis seems to like living under the gazebo in this trash ditch rescued water jug.

The pansies occupy this old crock, but I feel as if the June heat will soon over take them.

The springeri is nestled in this old Gulf can and the water jug and watering can holds spider plants. An old rusty popcorn tin holds the aloe plant.

 The spider warts are blooming in the mornings and the oregano is harvested occasionally from this washing machine tub that is hiding a plastic pot.

I rearranged things this week and moved this English Ivy to the gym locker basket on the old vintage bicycle. I'm excited to see the zinnias and cosmos blooming beside the bicycle.

I am glad I went with a junk theme this year in my yard. I like seeing all the rusty containers much better that a bunch of plastic or styrofoam pots, plus they cost much less than purchasing new planters!