Thinking Outside the Box: All Terrain Cabin and Portable Homes

I am a bit weary always having to think about rent, bills, pets, space, cleaning, moving, etc...I am beginning to think that, if I crunch the numbers, living out of a pre-fabricated home or shipping container would actually SAVE us money in the end. I don't want clutter anymore. I am beginning to think about the prospects of living simply and [what if] Steve and I move around a lot. [What if] we work internationally but want a "home" to come back to. [What if] it could be shipped internationally. [What if] we could make it entirely modular and it would be possible to put it on a train from Colorado and move it back to Wisconsin, just in-case. 

I am also weary of thinking about plans for the future. When it comes down to it; I want to be a sustainable designer and visionary. I want to prove that I can think outside of the box, like this company did (purely conceptual, but it's GORGEOUS).

It's called the All-Terrain Cabin (by BARK):

It's a 20' ISO Container Frame.

Imagine the freedom and flexibility of it.

I am going to consider this as an economic and timeless investment piece. More info on how to build your own shipping container home can be found here. I've also compiled this list:

Cargotecture 

FabPreFab Comprehensive List of Projects

Contained Mobility a BA Arch Project

More Amazing Homes

And one of my faves: the Port-a-Bach

Up and Running

Tada! The first round of my photographs are up and running in my Etsy store: Soul Journer Studio.

I'm nervous and excited. I'm reluctant and exhilarated. I'm hesitant because I am my own worst critic. I am excited because this may open up windows, maybe even doors. The next round of items (I hope) will be greeting cards and paintings I've completed. 

Support starving artists. Please.


P.S. For any of you with a keen eye, YES, I did organize my Google Chrome Bookmark Icons by color. I am that OCD about it. . .

Rawah Wilderness - A Challenge

The basics stay the same but the colors change. And you never know what to expect. I love the Rocky Mountains.

We took a two-day, 20-mile hike through the Rawah Wilderness for Steve's 25th Birthday this past weekend. It was moderately difficult, and if it wasn't for him, I may not have had the courage to press on. Press on. He challenged me. We made it over Grassy Pass (11,250 feet!) and onward to camp at Lower Sandbar Lake.

Blue skies. Not a soul in sight. Quiet moments. Reflection. Hope.

Happy Birthday, honey - I love you!

Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association v. Monsanto

Please read this ARTICLE and pass it on or repost it. I am grieved that we are already losing precious heirloom seeds because they are wiped to extinction by America's mega-corporation. Please don't let it happen. I am so glad 270,000 Organic Farmers are taking a stand against Monsanto; let's support them any way we can! 

Lemon Slush

Recipe courtesy Heidi @ 101 Cookbooks. Anise seeds were added. I'm a fan; Steve, not so much. Anise is "licorice-esque" for those of you who haven't used it yet. Enjoy.

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (20. Repurposed File Hanger Plant Stand)

Another one in the books for repurposed. My friend Elizabeth pointed out that the metal frame is actually a file-hanger (I had no idea). $1 at ReStore. The glass? Free from Freecycle. 4 silicone feet for the glass? About another $1. 

$2 for a great plant stand or garden table. I have a second one outside which would look GREAT with a chaise lounge and an umbrella drink and a good drink. Just like the entryway table, in small spaces, glass helps keep the space looking open and uncluttered. A heavy table would look out of place in such a small apartment. And the glass draws the eye outside to enjoy the fantastic Colorado weather.

Another tip? Buy tropical starter plants. $2.99 for 2.5" pots (the ones in the photo were replanted). It saves a lot of money and they are already growing strong. Happy planting!

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (19. Repurposed Glass and Metal Entryway Table)

Well. It seems like I've taken a big hiatus from posting anything on my blog. Summer has been challenging in so many ways. Though I might be eons behind everyone else doing the 50 Projects, I thought I'd keep trying anyway. This is out of order, but I'll start with this project [It's for sale!]

This started as an old iron aquarium tank stand. Matte black and slightly rusted. It had an odious piece of plywood screwed to the top. I removed the plywood and bought a can of Krylon metal, hammered finish spray in Grey. Then, thanks to Freecycle, I had some 1/4" glass, repurposed from a glass-faced cabinet. Voila! A couple of silicone feet for the glass, a little bit of elbow grease and this table has clean modern lines. And a little flirty detail in the front legs. 

Great for an entryway, especially our own entryway because it's transparent and appears to float in such a small space! It also would be stellar outside since it's made to handle the elements.

What we hope to do is sell it. I am not attached to anything I own; we hope to sell it for a little more than it took to repurpose it. Any takers? 40 bucks? ;)