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Keeping in Touch:  Canvas Cabin Living  |
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canvascabinliving
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kathy
Tendoy
ID
USA
32 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 12:04:36 PM
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Hello Farmgirls
My name is Kathy Batterton I live in rural Tendoy, Idaho in a canvas wall tent. Yup you heard right my husband and I live as of July 2010 on our 10 acres in a canvas wall tent. We decided it was time to move from in town to the acreage that we had purchased almost 6 years ago. The reason for the wall tent is due to needing to wait financially to start building our vertical log home. We didn't want to get a loan as the economy is definately down here in our little rural community.
The move has allowed us to simplify our lives and slowly become more and more self sufficient and start to wittle down our debts. Many of our friends and family thought we were crazy but many have come over to the canvas cabin side since visiting us.
The wall tent is completely framed in on the inside with wood pallets for a floor with plywood down keeping us high and dry off of the ground and we even framed in an actual door.
I am new to blogging and that whole world but have started a blog to show others how we have done what we have so far and follow our progress and antics Please feel free to visit it at www.canvascabinliving.com I would love the support of fellow farmgirls. 
This new adventure has me excited about what life has to bring in the future and now being more involved as a farmgirl and maybe even earning some patches.
Live Simply, Simply Live
Canvas Cabin Living |
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CountryLisa72
True Blue Farmgirl
58 Posts
Lisa
58 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 12:31:03 PM
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| Love your website.. Welcome |
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dandelionhouse
True Blue Farmgirl
205 Posts
Debbie
Plymouth
Mass
USA
205 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 12:47:02 PM
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Congratulations...and welcome! What a wonderful adventure... we are in need of a bunk house and have talked about a Canvas Cottage ( our land is seaside)... I look forward to reading about your ins and outs of Canvas Cabin Living!
farmgirl sister #1199
Deb~
www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com
" home is where we all craft the life of our dreams." |
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missusprim
True Blue Farmgirl
400 Posts
Karen
Fostoria
Ohio
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 1:31:07 PM
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How cool! To be getting back to the basics and not having all those little amenities that we 'must' rely on. I'm envious and have thought many times that hubby and I should buy a small lot in a woods somewhere and build (ourselves) one of those small kits that you can buy without breaking the bank. Nothing fancy, and do it ourselves.
I wish you both luck and welcome to our little neck of the woods on MJF!
http://onceinnabluemoon.blogspot.com/
"Never trust a fart." Jack Nicholson in The Bucket List |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 1:39:39 PM
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Very cool, it kind of reminds me of a yurt. Nice blog, Carol
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting them in a fruit salad!
Farmgirl #680! |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 1:45:06 PM
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How awesome is that? Nice blog, I love the Angora rabbit Mr.Fuzzy! Thanks for sharing your story.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
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FG-Terri
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Theresa
Newport News
VA
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 2:19:06 PM
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| Awesome! |
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violetrose
True Blue Farmgirl
960 Posts
Ruth
Epworth
GA
USA
960 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 3:56:31 PM
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Kathy, I love your wall tent! I wish I could read your blog, but the lettering is dark and so is the background. The only post I was able to read is your latest one.
Praying you are keeping warm! I love your bunnies and your puppy!
Hugs, Ruth
Farmgirl Sister # 1738
God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!
St. Augustine |
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Catherine L
True Blue Farmgirl
408 Posts
Cathy
Newton
Texas
USA
408 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 4:08:46 PM
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Kathy you are my hero. I have been trying to talk my husband into doing something like that for some time. I have looked at teepees and yurts, but haven't considered a canvas cabin. I'll try that next. I can't wait to read your blog.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
Edited by - Catherine L on Jan 12 2011 4:38:46 PM |
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tracy043
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Tracy
Batesburg
SC
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2011 : 4:33:49 PM
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Kathy it is a joy to see there are others just like us who decided go live on our land instead of just visiting it. We bought 20 acres in the country and had to sell our house in town in order to afford it. Our house sold real quick and we decided we wanted to build our house pay-check to pay-check and not take out a mortgage since we had the land payment. We couldn't afford both! Living in the country was more important to us then any big house in town could ever be. So that is where you find us today ...living on our land, in a camper, teaching ourselves to be self sustainable, living as frugal as possible and trying to start a small farm. Our house is still years away but little by little we are working on building our homestead.
Some of our family thinks we have lost our minds but they have never experienced waking up to the sound of a rooster, laying in the middle of a field at night and see nothing in the sky but stars and having the satisfaction of knowing at some point we will have built our own home and be completely debt free.
So I say KUDOS to you and your hubby...call us all crazy but if you are like us we are totally happy!
Finding the good in everyday!
http://oursimplelife-sc.com/ |
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CountryLisa72
True Blue Farmgirl
58 Posts
Lisa
58 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 06:06:51 AM
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| Which tent did you buy?? and what does it come with? |
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canvascabinliving
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kathy
Tendoy
ID
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 10:17:43 AM
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We purchased our canvas wall tent from www.reliabletents.com they are located in Montana. I watched their discount page and found ours which is a 16x20 it was marked down due to a water/glue stain around the window. It comes with tent, stakes, tie downs and all in a bag. You can purchase the frame from them but we decided to frame in the inside with 2x4s much as you would a building and put them every 2'. I hope this helps let me know if you have anymore questions or if I didn't answer this one completely.
quote:
Originally posted by CountryLisa72
Which tent did you buy?? and what does it come with?
Live Simply, Simply Live
Canvas Cabin Living |
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canvascabinliving
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kathy
Tendoy
ID
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 10:22:25 AM
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Thanks everyone what a wonderful welcome and so supportive I knew I could count on fellow MJs.
Doing without the "modern conviences" has definately been a good thing for once we aren't having to worry about freezing water pipes, laugh.
We decided to do this like some of you have stated to not add to our debt and work towards being debt free. Currently we just have the land payment besides personal payments and such but we are wittling them down slowly. Some people told us to get a mortgage and we thought really in this economy dont think so.
Again thanks everyone and I hope that I am able to inspire others to take the leap and follow their dreams and ignore those who say it cant be done.
Live Simply, Simply Live
Canvas Cabin Living |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2011 : 8:14:18 PM
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| Congratulations on an amazing achievement! I've enjoyed reading your website, although I had to highlight the text in order to read it (the dark lettering on the dark background was impossible to read otherwise -- maybe just my computer, dunno). Are you not worried at all about having so much fire in such a flammable environment? You must have figured out how to be safe. I know a lot of us would be interested in how you manage that. Wow. I'm so impressed by this. Welcome to Farmgirl Connection. I look forward to hearing from you often! |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 2:52:53 PM
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Hey Kathy. Welcome. I just saw this and I am amazed. That looks so nice and cozy. I went to your blog but can hardly read it. But it sounds like y'all have a great plan. Does it stay warm enough in there? And I love the wood stove.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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violetrose
True Blue Farmgirl
960 Posts
Ruth
Epworth
GA
USA
960 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2011 : 4:19:22 PM
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Kathy, I've have been really thinking about one issue - where is your bathroom??? potty, shower, sink? I tent camp, but there are facilities where we camp, I might have to tromp through the woods to get there, but that's fine because when I do, there is running water.
Just curious!
Hugs, Ruth
Farmgirl Sister # 1738
God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!
St. Augustine |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2011 : 11:23:37 AM
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Enjoyed reading and looking at the photos! Welcome. It looks cozy.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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prayin granny
True Blue Farmgirl
1874 Posts
Linda
Kansas
1874 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2011 : 11:44:53 AM
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Oh Kathy, you are a kindred spirit, lol! I just want land and a cabin, any cabin. Unfortuneately, health issues now prevent that. Soooo, I 'pretend' that my city apt and balcony are it!!! Would love it if maybe you could put a lite background on your blog?? Would love to follow your adventure in homesteading. Best of luck and enjoy!!
Blessings, Linda
http://www.scatteredlittleblessings.com
Country at Heart |
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IdahoShamrock
True Blue Farmgirl
161 Posts
Kathy
Hayden
Idaho
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2011 : 10:01:55 AM
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Awesome, Kathy! You and your sweetie are on the road to LONOM! (Land of NO Mortgage) My husband has a wall tent for elk camp and he loves it. Very comfy w/ the wood stove and he fits it out in style. Well, his style...not mine! But wall tents are the greatest. We use ours as a guest room during the summers when we get lots of company,too.
You guys rock on! LONOM is an awesome place to be. We have been debt free for about 12 yrs and it is the only way to live and love!
Farmgirl #2125
www.dustbincards.etsy.com |
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canvascabinliving
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kathy
Tendoy
ID
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 10:18:12 AM
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The tents come fire retardant treated from most places. Otherwise wood stove safety is all we do. We make sure that nothing including split firewood is not placed too close to the stove. The stoves are kept clean so good circulation and extra ash removed. When the stoves are first started we dont leave them as the door is left cracked. Of course the stovepipe is cleaned on a regular basis.
When leaving we always double if not triple check to make sure everything is dampered down.
quote:
Originally posted by Rosemary
Congratulations on an amazing achievement! I've enjoyed reading your website, although I had to highlight the text in order to read it (the dark lettering on the dark background was impossible to read otherwise -- maybe just my computer, dunno). Are you not worried at all about having so much fire in such a flammable environment? You must have figured out how to be safe. I know a lot of us would be interested in how you manage that. Wow. I'm so impressed by this. Welcome to Farmgirl Connection. I look forward to hearing from you often!
Live Simply, Simply Live
Canvas Cabin Living |
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canvascabinliving
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kathy
Tendoy
ID
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 10:22:56 AM
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Thanks everyone for the posts, questions and feedback. I will work on the blog and try fixing the background colors so that it is easier to read. Also will work on getting better about posted atleast a minimum of once a week.
Live Simply, Simply Live
Canvas Cabin Living |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2011 : 10:42:37 AM
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Thanks for explaining about the fire issues, Kathy. My ignorance about all this is appalling!
On a vaguely related note, we got hit with a bad "thundersnow" storm yesterday and were without power until just a while ago. Neighbors who heat with wood-burning stoves dropped by this morning to invite us to hang out at their place for the duration. Wasn't that sweet? Kinda humbling to realize how much we've forgotten about how to get by! |
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canvascabinliving
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Kathy
Tendoy
ID
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2011 : 12:37:42 PM
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Hi Ruth, That is definately a question I get asked we have a portable potty like they set-up for rest stops, concerts that type of thing. We have it pumped out periodically and sine its just the two of us not very often. We do have a well with a hand pump that is our water. I did fix up a stall type shower in our little vintage trailer and the water is heated using a camping shower heater. This winter I go into town every day for work so stop at family members house. When the weather starts warming up again we will start using the shower on the property again.
quote:
Originally posted by violetrose
Kathy, I've have been really thinking about one issue - where is your bathroom??? potty, shower, sink? I tent camp, but there are facilities where we camp, I might have to tromp through the woods to get there, but that's fine because when I do, there is running water.
Just curious!
Hugs, Ruth
Farmgirl Sister # 1738
God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!
St. Augustine
Live Simply, Simply Live
Canvas Cabin Living |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2011 : 1:02:55 PM
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That is incredible! Very, very cool. I love your bailing twine bag as well. :) I hope you sell many, many more!
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
227 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2011 : 1:34:47 PM
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HI
I just read your blog. I read it outloud to my husbaned and we both loved it. You need to write a book! Take lots of pictures of your adventure. It is so great to see what you are doing.
I wish you luck on your adventure and look forward to hearing more posts.
Alexis
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches |
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Keeping in Touch: Canvas Cabin Living |
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Canvas Cabin Living
