New member from Southern Miss

[Spaceward]

I'm always bad at new introductions. lol. Anyway, I'm Sayward but use the moniker Spaceward, which will make total sense after you see my photos.
We had to get a vehicle quick as they were cutting the company vehicles at work. Having to get a vehicle quick was a strain because I wanted to have at least a few months to look around, but that was condensed down to a long weekend. I didn't want to get into a note for something new. I wanted something really utilitarian, not a car, but a truck or van. We looked at a lot of things, and it came down to a Jeep truck, which I really liked, but it ran really rough, and the Astro van. Needless to say, we fell in love with the Astro. The name is quite a bit of it, too, as I confess I am a serious nerd and am into astronomy and art. This way, I can transport telescopes and art without worrying about weather.
The interior and exterior was HORRIBLE. 23 years of ground in butt and cigarette odor (don't smoke), ratty interior, you name it. So I re- did the interior and exterior. The exterior was a dark green and cream, but it was all faded in spots and rusty in others, and the interior was honey brown. Had all this been good, I would have left it, but I switched it up.
Runs great, but I have a couple of little engine questions I will post later...
I turned my van into a 'mock up' of sorts of the Space Shuttle Enterprise. I wanted it repainted , but didn't have the cake so I did it myself. I'm not claiming it's perfect, but it turned out WAY better than I thought I could do. This whole process, in and out, took about three weeks, and there's still a few little things I can mess around with. My band and I (OuterSpaced) even wrote a little song about my Astro van, it's on YouTube, here's the link...

http://www.youtube.com/user/Saywardstud ... rbxEXK_DAY


Anyway, I hope all of this wasn't too much in my introduction, but this is what I have so far.

I hope my pictures are small enough, too..I ran them through the resizer. lol These were taken RIGHT after I was finished , I hadn't cleaned out the Enterprise yet, or done any little detail work. It's done now, tho. lol Feedback, discussion most welcome.

[doyoulikeithere]

Welcome.
Trippy Paint Scheme....
Far Out, you could say.
Or Spacy, or 'Enterprising'
Where's the external Fuel Boosters?

[justice]

I

Absolutley

Love

It

[WoodButcher]

Space cadet!
Welcome.

While it's not for me, I like it, really creative. Are the seat covers stitched on? Will they hold up or did you make spares?

btw, Your yard sales are awsome. If I were closer your artwork would be a reason for a daytrip.

[Spaceward]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

To answer some questions, I actually DID think of putting rocket boosters on the back, in the form of some discarded sodium light shades from my husband's work. They look JUST like the ones on the space shuttles, color and everything. Unfortunately, they are about 2 feet across, and they presented two problems, one, they were too big and would dwarf the van, and two, even if they did fit, the configuration they would have to go on to look right would block windows, the car tag, etc... so I just left them off. If I can find some smaller ones that won't block my license plate, I'll probably go for it.


Yes, the seats are stitched on. I mean they are ON there. lol.... that took about a week alone, just the four seats. (and learning how to use a curved needle) The fabric is pretty tough (it said on the tag at the fabric store it's over half metal), I doubt it is the grade they use professionally, but I just loved that silver. It is stitched along the sides and along all the quilting grids. I plan to make some blankets to go on top to lessen the wear and tear, and if need be I'll make some new ones.

Thanks about the Yard Sales. Those are really kind words. They were always fun. I didn't have one last year, and this year I'm focusing on other things, but I kinda wish I was having one this year. It takes the better part of a year to get an exhibition like that together, so maybe next year.


One little question, while I'm here: The little things under everyone's name, some say 'I sleep in my van' , 'I'm smitten with my van' , etc... mine says 'I merely drive my van' - can I change that or does it change with how many posts you have? What does the little red van mean? (I'm actually in love with my van.... it's a great old van, really!) I looked it up before asking but couldn't find anything. It's probably right under my nose but looked right over it. #-o

[WoodButcher]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

Yes, the seats are stitched on. I mean they are ON there. lol.... that took about a week alone, just the four seats.

damn! lot of work!

Thanks about the Yard Sales. Those are really kind words.

your welcome, I'm not kind, just honest

One little question, while I'm here: The little things under everyone's name, some say 'I sleep in my van' , 'I'm smitten with my van' , etc... mine says 'I merely drive my van' - can I change that or does it change with how many posts you have?

automated I think

What does the little red van mean?

I think it's a placeholder of sorts for your avatar
(I'm actually in love with my van.... it's a great old van, really!) I looked it up before asking but couldn't find anything. It's probably right under my nose but looked right over it. #-o

[justice]

One little question, while I'm here: The little things under everyone's name, some say 'I sleep in my van' , 'I'm smitten with my van' , etc... mine says 'I merely drive my van' - can I change that or does it change with how many posts you have? What does the little red van mean? (I'm actually in love with my van.... it's a great old van, really!) I looked it up before asking but couldn't find anything. It's probably right under my nose but looked right over it. #-o

The little titles change with the number of posts.

The little vans are supposed to be ranks but the stupid admin of this site never actually completed setting them up.. he was more concerned ith installing the "poke" smiley.

[MountainManJoe]

I just noticed this post, and I think this van is wild! Very creative. Love it. It must be very toasty inside too with all the "heat shielding"