Slow progress is still progress

This past week was spent shopping and finishing up building the bed.  I found some large sealable containers to go under the bed, got the foam mattress topper, bedding, and a camping stove from various stores. 

I think I also solved my window covering issue by putting the loop part of Velcro on my windows and cutting fleece to match the approximate size of each window. Initial experiments are good.

From Amazon, I purchased a LED lamp and a fan.  The lamp is battery operated and is lightweight enough to also carry around as a flashlight.  The fan can be powered by a plug or 8 D cell batteries.

The husband got me various things when he went and got the paint tarp to cover the top of the bed. He camp back with various extension cords, a mag light, a head lamp, and some other things I cannot recall.

I plan on getting a campsite with electric for my first outing, which I still plan to do this upcoming weekend.

I still have a lot to do.  I finally unrolled the foam mattress topper last night. Supposedly, the shape will be regained after 24 hours.  This morning, it was still in need of reshaping so hopefully tomorrow the shape will improve.  I also need to finish cutting the fleece to size for my remaining windows. I am going to deal with the floor as is for this initial run.  I have already gotten my toes a couple times.  When I go out longer, this will have to be resolved.

Dog Tired

No real work on the privacy window coverings so I will distract you with cute animal photos.

Progress on bed and curtains

Lots of progress was done this week

I cannot complain about my progress this week, I constructed my curtains without any sewing issues.  My husband found enough left over lumber from projects past to construct my bed.

A partial van curtain fail

After my initial success with the construction of the curtains, I pondered for a long time concerning how to hang them in the van without doing any drilling or permanent installs since my van has side curtain airbags.  I originally bought various sized 3M command hooks thinking that this would fit the bill nicely.  However, I don't think there is one plastic surface in my van that has a flat face. What I failed to consider was that the adhesive needs a completely flat surface to perform the job correctly.  

Too bad, the curtains look good up

Front privacy curtains

Until the adhesive started to fail, causing my curtains to fall either as I was placing them on the hooks or shortly after hanging for a bit.

Meanwhile, in the man-cave

The bed is coming together nicely.  My husband scrounged up enough left-over lumber from past projects to start the bed build. 

Top of the van bed cot

My husband built a sturdy platform that I will top with a 4-inch memory foam mattress topper.

Bottom of the van bed cot - look at that sturdy platform

The final bed size will be 30 inches wide, 70 inches long, and 16.5 inches high.  I found four nice sized storage bins that will fit under the bed.

Bed legs clamped into place

Bed - almost done

 The plan is to put some 1x1 or something to act as a leg brace, which will theoretically keep the storage bins in and provide additional stability to the legs.  I also need to cover the platform with some kind of material.

 

More trips to Walmart and Home Depot in my future

I need to get a staple gun, a drop cloth, foam mattress topper, bed sheets, fleece blankets, comforter, and some miscellaneous camping gear for my trial run.

Trial Run date is set - I still have enough shopping days

I plan on going out to a local state park in two weeks for a short trial run to see what kinks need to be worked out.

I have a plan B in the works for privacy shades.  Currently, materials are in route from Amazon's warehouses to my front door.  I hope plan B works otherwise I may be stretching my creativity to come up with a plan C.

Privacy Curtains for a Minivan with No Drilling

Updates on the privacy curtains:

• Where I realize that curtain rods are not going to work 
• The Velcro and fleece plan

 Creepers don't really make the scenic areas any prettier

One of the first issues I had was how to keep the creepers from peeking in at me while I am enjoying my home away from home.  Enter the idea of curtains.  Novel enough idea, I think.

Unlike those vandwellers that will be full-timers, I don't need stealth ability.  I plan on being in campgrounds, family member's driveways, or free overnight camping areas.  I just need to keep the curious from looking in while camping.

My goal is to affix the curtains in such a manner as to not have to drill into any part of my interior.

Walmart and my trusty sewing machine to the rescue

I went to Walmart yesterday after work to acquire some flat sheets, curtain rods, and 3M Command small hooks.

3M command hooks will hold up my curtain rods without damaging my interior

Five hours later and the curtains are done

I decide to get a nice pattern sheet for the interior portion of the curtains and a grey sheet for the public facing.  I sew the wrongs side together up the length, cut in half width-wise, sew raw ends together, flip right-side out, sew a hem, and flip top part down.  I measure 3 inches from the fold-line and sew a straight line.  I then measure 4.5 inches from the fold-line and sew another straight line.  5 more times I repeat this process to get all the curtains made.

Better is the enemy of good enough

The curtains aren't perfect, but they will do.  I have to revisit the types of curtain rods I am using.  Originally, I planned to use short rods for each of the side windows.  After putting up the first two side curtains, I realize that one long rod would be better.  Also, I probably need to go with bigger sized hooks and rods for the back and front curtains as they will be heavier and the small hooks just won't hold.  I hope I can find medium or large like the small because I like how they pivot and allows for creative placement of the sticky surface while having the hook be where I need it to be.

Photos to come

I am barely focused enough to get this blog up and started.  I will post photos after this weekend when I hope to have the cot frame well on the way to completion.

Programming note

My goal is to post a weekly update on Sunday to detail projects in progress or completed.  Once I start making trial runs, I will post trip reports as well.

Things are starting to get interesting.  I already have a trip planned for Thanksgiving week.