Barbie Van Revamp: Part 2 — First Look and Clean Up

In my last post, I shared the exciting hunt for my very own Barbie Star Traveller Van—and the rainy-day adventure that finally brought it home. After decades of dreaming and months of searching, I finally have it! Now comes the exciting part: opening it up and seeing how this toy has held up over all this time.

A closer look revealed a bit of wear and tear, but nothing too discouraging. There are just a couple of real repairs to tackle: a crack in the front window frame (which should be a fairly simple fix) and a broken hinge on the side door.

From my online research, I know that many restored vans are missing quite a few parts. Luckily, mine is only missing the front dashboard with the steering wheel and one of the small bunks. Since I’m planning to go in a completely different direction with the sleeping area anyway, it’s not too big of a deal.

What the van really needed was a good scrub—probably its first “spa day” in nearly 50 years! I noticed some black speckles on the floor and around a few windows. At first, I worried it might be mold or even insect residue (ew!). But after some digging, I learned that mold is actually rare on plastic, since it doesn’t provide a good environment to grow, and pest residue usually washes away easily. These speckles turned out to be simple discoloration from the plastic degrading over time—a common occurrence with vintage toys.

My son Malcolm helped me by removing the bolts that held the van together. Taking it apart makes cleaning, priming, and painting much easier. (Helpful tip from my husband: keep all bolts and small pieces in a plastic container with a lid—you’ll thank yourself later!)

Once the van was in pieces, it was time for a good soak in soapy water. I used Mr. Clean All Purpose Cleaner, which worked well to lift most of the dirt and grime. Then came the next challenge: removing the stickers and decals. As any Barbie fan knows, these toys came loaded with decals! As I peeled them off, I couldn’t help but think about the mom or dad who, years ago, sat down with the instructions on Christmas morning or a birthday, carefully placing each sticker in just the right spot. And here I was, undoing all their hard work!

I started by soaking and scraping, but that didn’t get me very far. I tried an adhesive remover, but it wasn’t very effective—and I didn’t love using strong chemicals on plastic. (Important note: never use anything with acetone, as it can damage plastic!) After some research, which I wish I had done in the first place! —I discovered the best decal remover for plastic is simple vegetable oil.

Patience is key: I applied a generous splash of oil, let it soak for a few minutes, and then gently scrubbed with an old toothbrush while scraping with an old credit card (and my fingernails!). To my relief, the decals came off completely and without too much struggle. 

Once the stickers and residue were gone, I gave everything one final scrub with Dawn Platinum Powerwash—my favorite all-purpose cleaner. I use it for just about everything, so why not this project too? As expected, it worked like a charm.

All told, between soaking, scrubbing, scraping, and trial-and-error attempts, I spent about six hours on this stage. It was definitely a labor of love, but so satisfying to see the plastic so clean, and finally free of all those old stickers.

Each piece was wiped down with a soft tea towel, then left out in the sun to dry. Now everything is fresh, clean, and ready for primer and paint.

With the van sparkling clean and stripped down to its base, the creative fun begins! In my next post, I’ll be diving into design plans—choosing colors, sketching layouts, and deciding how to give this Star Traveller a brand-new personality. I can’t wait to share the vision for its makeover journey!

Barbie Van Revamp: Part 1 — The Search

For quite some time now, I’ve been on the lookout for a Barbie van to revamp and put my miniature-making skills to the test. Up until now, most of my projects have been miniature kits (which I absolutely love!) and little pieces of Barbie furniture I’ve made for my grandchildren. But the idea of redoing a Barbie van felt like a bigger challenge—and a really fun one.

After doing some research online, I quickly realized that the Barbie Star Traveller Van, manufactured by Mattel, was the only real option. It has the best layout, a generous size, and so many possibilities for customizing and accessorizing.

The Star Traveller first came out in 1976. I remember wanting one back then, but while I was lucky enough to receive a Barbie Bubble Bath, the van never did make its way to me. To be fair, at nearly three feet long, it probably wouldn’t have fit very well in my childhood bedroom anyway!

What I longed for

A bathtub like the one I had!  

I started seriously searching for a van about a year ago, but quickly discovered how rare they’ve become. Toys that are nearly 50 years old don’t often survive in good condition, and the ones that do usually sell for a hefty price online.

So, I put the word out among my creative friends and fellow collectors: if anyone stumbled upon a Barbie Star Traveller at a garage sale, estate sale, or thrift shop, I wanted to know. My hope was to find one that had been tucked away and forgotten, that I could purchase at a garage sale price, rather than paying the hundreds of dollars I was seeing online.

One of those creative friends was Sabina. We met about 20 years ago when I re-entered the workforce after staying home with my kids, and we bonded immediately over our shared love of art, nostalgia, and collectibles. Today, Sabina runs a wonderful local business called OlDolls ReNewed, where she refurbishes and reimagines previously loved dolls. I knew she’d be the perfect scout for my van.

Sure enough, about a month ago, Sabina spotted an ad on Facebook Marketplace. A woman had found a Star Traveller in her parents’ basement and was selling it at a very reasonable price. I contacted her right away, then drove across town in the pouring rain to pick up my treasure. She apologized for the condition it was in, but honestly, I was thrilled. Aside from a couple of missing interior pieces, it was in wonderful shape.

At long last—I had my van!

This is just the beginning of my Barbie Star Traveller makeover journey. In a future post, I’ll share a closer look at the van’s condition and my first steps toward bringing it back to life. Stay tuned—it’s going to be a fun adventure!

Slow Brew

I subscribe to a newsletter called Slow Brew Sunday, a wonderful weekly reminder to slow down and take life at an easier pace. The creator, Jules Acree, is a new mom—an entirely different stage of life than this grandma—but her words of wisdom and approach to mindful living often resonate with me.

It’s been a hectic few days, and now that I’ve reached midweek, I find myself being overly critical for not accomplishing all the goals I had set. Do you ever do that? Even when others reassure you that you're doing just fine, you still feel like you’re falling short?

I think it’s the creative person’s curse. My mind is always buzzing with new ideas and projects, and when I don’t get to them all, I beat myself up. Instead of recognizing everything I have done, I fixate on what I haven’t.

This blog is often a source of that inner struggle. I want every post to be meaningful, to truly connect with my readers. And sometimes, that pressure keeps me from posting as often as I’d like. If it’s not deeply inspiring, is it even worth sharing? Is this topic “blogworthy”? Is this conversation valuable enough to justify the effort?

On top of that, my day job has been particularly demanding lately. I work in a busy university office, and the pressures of administrative work can be overwhelming, especially at certain times of the year. At the moment,  I see my coworkers feeling the weight of it too. I want to support them, but it can be  exhausting—worrying about my friends and their struggles in addition to my own.

The Slow Brew Sunday newsletter arrives (you guessed it) every Sunday, but it wasn’t until today that I finally took a rare coffee break at my desk to read it. And I’m so glad I did. It had exactly the message I needed to hear.

Jules Acree reminds us that it’s okay to share simply for the sake of sharing. She encourages letting go of overthinking, embracing the joy of expression, and trusting that creativity flows more freely when we stop putting so much pressure on ourselves.

I can relate to that. I’ve never considered myself a perfectionist, but I suspect that my own expectations—especially about the quality of my writing—sometimes hold me back from even starting.

So, I’ve decided to take her advice to heart. I’m going to share more of the small, joyful moments in my life—just because I feel like it. Hopefully, along the way, I’ll write something that resonates with you, something you can carry in your heart for the day.

But I’m going to try not to overthink it. I’m going to step out of my own way.

Because really, isn’t that what this is all about? Just sharing myself with you. I'll just be here. And that's enough. 

Sticker Scene Printables

One of my favorite pastimes with my grandkids is creating scenes for them to decorate with stickers. I draw different scenes on paper, and they bring them to life by adding stickers. To keep things fun, I stock Grandma’s craft cupboard with a variety of stickers from the dollar store. Over time, I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting the best ones for this activity!

working away on a project!

A finished piece

There’s something I love almost as much as a good sticker—free printables! In the spirit of sharing, I’m offering a free download of a couple of scenes I recently created for the kids. You’ll find both a color version and a black-and-white version, so they can be decorated or colored in for even more creative fun!

Let me know if you'd like any further refinements!

Coloured Living Room

Coloured Landscape

Black and White Living Room

Black and White Landscape

Simply click on the link below to download your printable:

Coloured Living Room

Black and White Living Room

Coloured Landscape

Black and White Landscape 

I would love to create more of these scenes for you, so if you have any suggestions or requests, please submit them in the comments below! 

Grandma's Craft Closet

Grandma and I in 1991

I often talk about my Grandma Vincent. We had a very close relationship when I was growing up. She was always soft, gentle, and kind. Whenever we visited her, she would always hold my husband's hand.

I aspire to be the kind of grandmother that Grandma Vincent was. She passed away in 1995, just five days after my youngest child was born. Even though many years have passed, I miss her every day.

I once saw a quote about grief that said, "Be the things you love most about the person who is gone." That is exactly what I try to do.

Grandma was a first-grade teacher, and I can easily understand why her students adored her. Mrs. Vincent was well-versed in nursery rhymes and stories, and she knew all the songs that were popular with young children. When she retired, we grandchildren were still quite young, and we benefited greatly from her expertise.

Mrs. Vincent with her students

She taught me to read at an early age. I remember sitting with her during our "special times"—those quiet moments when my younger brother was asleep in his crib. She would pull out my special scribbler, and together we would work on my alphabet and phonics.

Grandma Vincent lived in a series of small, modest apartments, but she always had a drawer set aside just for us grandkids. That drawer was filled with empty toilet paper rolls, cardboard inserts from pantyhose packages, bits of yarn, and a package of wax crayons. When I visited, I would dive into that drawer with creative zeal, passing the time making puppets, paper dolls, and other crafty treasures.

I encourage other grandparents to create similar spaces for their grandchildren—places where creativity and imagination can thrive. It doesn’t take much! I have been fortunate to have extra storage space in our most recent home. When we moved in a few years ago, I was thrilled to discover that we had not one but two hall closets! We had barely signed the lease when I declared to my husband that one of those closets would be designated as "Grandma’s Craft Closet." Although the upper shelf may hold a few other things, the majority of the closet is dedicated to my grandchildren and their arts and crafts activities.

The kids know that when they come to visit, they can request to open Grandma’s Craft Closet and dive into an activity! I love watching them engage in creative play, just as I did with my own grandmother.

You may be wondering what I have on my shelves:

• Crayons

• Markers

• Washable paint

• Scrap yarn

• Pipe cleaners

• Glue

• Tape

• Stickers

• Playdough

• Scrap paper

• Coloring books/printed coloring sheets

• Safety scissors

• Toilet paper rolls

• Scrap cardboard

One of my favorite activities to do with my youngest granddaughter is to draw scenes on construction paper—perhaps a landscape or, my favorite, a house interior with bookshelves. Then, I let her place stickers on the scene I have created. I often find fun stickers at the local dollar store that work perfectly for this—whether is little toys or ornaments to place on drawn shelves or animals in a nature scene.

If you are a grandparent, I encourage you to carve out a small space—whether it’s a closet, a drawer, or just a storage box—to inspire your grandchildren’s creativity. It doesn’t take much to create meaningful memories that they will cherish for a lifetime. Inspired by that modest little drawer at Grandma Vincent’s house, Grandma’s Craft Closet has become a one-stop shop for inspiration and an inexpensive way to keep the grandkids entertained at our house!

The Fairy Tree

When my first granddaughter was little, the fairies would occasionally leave her tiny treasures on our front lawn. I loved watching her race outside, eyes wide with excitement, eager to see what had been left for her. My husband told her that fairies especially loved children who were grateful for their friendship. If you talked to them—especially if you thanked them and showed appreciation for their gifts—they might continue their generosity.

When we were searching for a new home, we scheduled a viewing one evening. As soon as we pulled up, I gasped, "It has a fairy tree!" In that moment, I was sold. I don’t know what I would have done if the interior of the house had not met our requirements —we had to live there. I had fallen madly in love with that tree.

It’s a magnificent Russian olive tree, the only one of its kind on the block. At least thirty years old, it has a massive trunk with smaller trunks that reach in every direction. At its base, the four trunks intertwine, forming a small, sheltered space—the perfect hiding spot where the fairies leave their treasures for the children to find. In addition, at its base is  a natural alcove where the local rabbits like to sleep.

Every Halloween, we transform the tree with pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts dangling from its branches. At Easter, it becomes the perfect hiding place for Easter eggs.

I also make fairy doors, and several now grace the trunk, adding a touch of magic to our beloved fairy tree.

Whenever the grandchildren visit, they always check the fairy tree to see if the fairies have left them something. However, as one granddaughter discovered to her dismay, visiting every day doesn’t always guarantee a surprise.

Sometimes, the fairies leave a colouring book, a dollar-store toy, or a lollipop. Other times, it’s a shiny rock or a little treasure from Grandma’s junk drawer—perhaps a tiny mirror or an old bracelet Grandma won’t miss.

One day, my younger granddaughter, who was four at the time, stopped by with her dad for a quick visit. About half an hour before they arrived, it had started to rain. When she found her treasure, she picked it up, looked at it, and exclaime, "Wet socks? Really, fairies?"

As would be expected, the fairies share their tree with many other creatures. As I previously mentioned, there are often rabbits that visit the fairy tree, they love to eat the olives and tender leaves that they find under its branches, and like to nap at the base of it's trunk. Many birds visit the fairy tree as well, and my husband loves watching them perched on the branches outside of his den on the second floor. 

And of course, there is the squirrel.

One time, the fairies left a Kinder Surprise—a chocolate egg with a toy inside—for one of the kids to find. As I glanced out the window, I spotted a squirrel high up in the tree, busily unwrapping the treat! I can’t help but wonder if, somewhere, a tiny Kinder toy now sits in that squirrel’s nest—a prized possession and the talk of all his cocktail parties!

I should mention that the kids often leave treasures for the fairies, too. The fairies love sunflower seeds, pine cones, and even leaves. Pretty rocks are always a favorite. Now that the kids are a little older, we’re encouraging them to leave notes and drawings for the fairies. I think I’ll make them a mailbox so we can be sure the fairies receive their messages.

Most importantly, it’s about gratitude—learning to appreciate the magic of small kindnesses and giving back in return.

Hygge

As I write this, it's a chilly -21°C outside my window here in Alberta (that’s -5.8°F). It’s cold! But I’m grateful for two sleepy dogs curled up under my desk, keeping my feet warm.

January has been eventful, yet the year still feels fresh and full of potential. There’s a sense of newness in the air—a quiet nudge to start working on all the goals we set for 2025. The New Year's resolutions, the productive habits, the pursuit of a newer, better version of ourselves.

But maybe there’s a lesson to be learned from the seasons: Winter is a time for rest and reflection. Like the plants, we can allow ourselves to slow down, take a breath, and wait patiently for the renewal that spring will bring.

Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") is a Danish concept that embodies coziness, contentment, and well-being. It’s about embracing life’s simple pleasures and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that fosters comfort and connection. One of my favorite books on this concept is The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking—a lovely heartwarming read. 

At its core, hygge is about finding joy in small moments, especially during the long, cold months of winter. When the snow is swirling outside, these are some of my favorite hygge-inspired practices:

• Burning candles
• Reading a good book
• Wrapping up in a favorite blanket
• Cozy, fuzzy socks
• A mug of homemade soup
• Sipping a warm drink
• Crocheting or knitting
• Binge-watching a favorite show

Ultimately, hygge is about slowing down and embracing coziness. And how do you know if you’re doing it right? It’s all about the feeling it evokes—a deep sense of peace and contentment. Hygge is about warmth, both physically and emotionally.

So be kind to yourself when the snow is falling, and the wind chill makes -21°C feel like -32°C. The time for running around will come when the ice melts and water runs in the gutters. For now, take a cue from the Danish—and rest. After all, much of nature is doing the same.

Scout understands hygge

Tiny Things

As a little girl, I was always enchanted by tiny things.

My friend Sindy and I loved visiting the drugstore to pick up miniature sample sizes of shampoos and lotions. We’d take them home, excitedly admire the tiny bottles, and then stash them in our "collections"—seldom actually using them.

I also loved making accessories and furniture for my Barbie dolls. Some of my first crafts were miniature furnishings and decor for my Barbie houses, and I would spend hours perfecting the details.

One of my favorite childhood book series was The Littles by John Peterson. Similar to Mary Norton’s The Borrowers, The Littles tells the story of a tiny family living in the walls of a regular-sized house. These little characters would repurpose everyday objects like bottle caps, buttons, and spools into tools and furniture for their miniature world. I was fascinated by their creativity and resourcefulness—sometimes I found myself enjoying the inventive ways they used common items even more than their actual adventures.

Over the last few years, I've rediscovered my love for miniatures as a creative hobby. I’ve always admired the talent of those who elevate miniatures into a true art form. Shows like The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge and my personal favorite, CBC’s Best in Miniature, have only fueled this interest further.

I draw, I paint, I make vintage assemblage greeting cards. I knit, I crochet, and I even try to write a little on this blog. I certainly didn’t need another hobby! But the idea of making miniatures myself has always intrigued me.

In 2023, for my birthday in March, my sweet husband bought me a miniature kit—a ROLIFE kit from a local hobby store. It sat on my shelf for months, waiting for me to find the time, and honestly, to build up the courage to try something completely new. Of course, there was always something else to be done, and with grandkids and puppies around, I found plenty of excuses to put the project off.

But after the holiday rush of Christmas, I found myself with some quiet days at home during vacation. I decided it was finally time to dedicate myself to the kit.

To be honest, at first, I saw it more as something to check off my to-do list. After all, I’d had the kit since March, and now it was almost the new year!

I sat down at my dining room table and began working on the kit. I can’t explain how much I loved the process! It was completely different from anything I’d worked on before, and with everything included in the kit, it was a perfect place for a beginner to start. I was fully immersed in the task, and before I knew it, hours had melted away as I assembled tiny cabinets and packages. It was a candy shop, filled with bright colors and whimsy—two things I absolutely love!

The project took me about three days to finish, and I was thrilled with the results! It now has a proud spot on my bookshelf, where I get to enjoy it every day. My first miniature assemblage—what a joy!

Another busy year passed, and I had received another ROLIFE kit from my husband. This time, it was a coffee shop (so perfect for me!). I had set it aside and looked forward to the quiet days after Christmas to work on it. A few glorious days in my art room later, I completed this little gem. It was so much fun, from assembling the flowers in the tiny vase to creating the coffee machine.

As I immersed myself in the assembly of these tiny things, I didn’t think once about the troubles of the outside world. It was the perfect mindful task. And that, my readers, is what a hobby should do!

Like the first kit, putting this one together made me so happy! And when I look at my little coffee shop, its tiny light glowing in the evening on my bookshelf, it fills me with joy all over again. I’m already excited to choose another kit to try, maybe even before next Christmas vacation.

Do you have a hobby that takes you away from your worries? Have you done any miniatures? I would love to hear from you! 

Slices of Joy

Instead of new years resolutions, which have never been a good thing for me, I always choose a word of intention for the year. 

I knew what direction I wanted to go. I knew what idea I wanted to cultivate this year, but I wasn't sure what the specific word was going to be. 

And then, in the way that these things often happen, this wonderful piece by feminist writer @leilamadeline___ crossed my social media path. 

This little post really resonated with me! I do not think that I am alone in the feeling that life's challenges and the worries about the state of our world often overshadow happiness in my life. I would like 2025 to be a year where I notice all the good things about life! I want to be open to see more of the magic that this world has to offer.

Chade-Meng Tan, in his book Joy on Demand, talks about Slices of Joy. Slices of joy are those little every day things that we tend to move through without much thought. That first sip of hot coffee in the morning. The scent of a favourite candle. The softness of your dogs ear when you pet her. How you feel when your friend gives you a hug. Chade-Meng says that the more that you notice these small moments of joy, the more you will experience joy in your life. You teach your brain to notice it. In 2025 I want to recognize more slices of joy every day.

these are some of my slices of joy!

So my word for 2025 is...

So my hope for 2025 is to notice more and more of the simple little things that give me joy, and I would like share them with you. I would also LOVE to hear about some of your slices of joy, so please share in the comments below. 

Breakfast Brew

I have written before about my dear friends Char and Thomas Feuchter, and their wonderful restaurant, Barb & Ernie's Old Country Inn . Once a month, Char and Thomas let me come in and set up a table with my arts and crafts, what I call Nicolette's Heartfelt Creations. They give me an opportunity to be out in the public with my cards, my art, and my crocheted treasures. I look forward to it, as the customers at the restaurant always have the nicest things to say - I always feel very inspired to go home and create even more. Plus, I get to have a delicious breakfast! 

I was practicing some urban sketching one day, and I realized that Barb & Ernie's building would be a fantastic subject. So I decided to make a watercolour painting for Char and Thomas as a gift. I was very pleased with how it turned out, and on my next visit to the restaurant, I proudly presented it to my hosts. 

They were very happy with the gift, and to my delight, Char hung it on the wall in the restaurant.  It felt really nice to share my art with my friends. 

2025 Brings the 50th Anniversary of Barb and Ernie's. To celebrate the occasion, Barb and Ernie's has partnered with Leduc Brewing Company to create their own brew, called

Barb & Ernie's 50th Anniversary Festbier Lager

and imagine how excited I was, when I discovered that they wanted to use my modest artwork on the label! 

I painted the picture with no expectation, because it made me happy to do so. But what I got back was beyond anything I could have expected! And when I saw my name on the side of that little beer can, I felt like I could really call myself an artist. 

When you create with joy, it is amazing what blessings can come your way! 

Motivation and Accountability

As a person who lives with general anxiety disorder and depression, I have days when my energy levels and motivation can be low.  Negative thinking can take over, and the feelings of overwhelm can start me on a downwards spiral. I have talked before about how I need to do what I call  "the Nickie things", and get myself moving in the right direction. But depression and anxiety can make it difficult to have the willpower to do things that I enjoy.

When dealing with these types of challenges the best thing you can do is to be kind to yourself. It is helpful to understand the type of person that you are. Through the wisdom that comes with age (and with help from a good therapist) I have realized that I am a classic "people pleaser" - and along with this knowledge comes the realization that the best way for me to meet any goals, or to have any motivation, is to have external accountability. 

I am one of those people that can struggle with prioritizing my own self-care or personal projects, but I find it much easier to meet the expectations of others, whether it's my boss, family members, friends, or colleagues. 

Because I know this about myself, I find that committing to certain things can be very helpful for me! It gives me that gentle push that I need to get started, and to silence the dark wolf in my head.  For example, I do a monthly pop-up sale at a local restaurant, Barb and Ernie's.  I know that I need to have my arts and crafts made for the monthly sale, so I spend time working on projects for my table. I feel so good when I am working on these things! My batteries re-charge, and I feel positive.  Then I go to the restaurant, see the table filled with all my arts and crafts, and I feel great! 

my table at Barb and Ernie's 

If you have a peek on my sidebar, you may see some thumbnails for some challenges that I did years ago.  Looking back at some of those challenges, I remember how fun they were to do! I think that these art challenges are another great way to have some accountability and motivation to be more artful.

Let me know if you use external accountability to help motivate you to reach your goals! I will be posting some of my completed challenges on the blog, so stay tuned! And if you have any challenges that you participate in, I would love to see them.

Now if you will excuse me, I have some art to do! 

"It's MEEEEEEE!"

When my granddaughter, Evelyn was a wee one, she created this wonderful drawing. With great pride, she announced it was a portrait of her uncle. She was so pleased with it, she even signed it with her signature, as you can see, an E with scribbles to the left.

Such an amazing piece of art, that has graced our refrigerator for the last few years! It always gets a giggle when we tell anyone who notices it that it is a picture of Malcolm. My daughter says that it needs to be put into a frame, so that it can be preserved and honoured for all time.  

Well, I decided to do one better, and pulled out my plush yarn, and my favourite crochet hook, and I created this gift for Malcolm this Christmas:

I decided to make it like a flat ragdoll toy, which made it very easy to do! Using single crochet and simple increases and decreases, I was able to create the same shape.  I created two of the shape, and then stitched them together like a pillow with the red yarn, to duplicate the colour she had used.  I used a slip stitch for extra impact. 

"It's MEEEEEEE!" was the delighted shriek from my adult son when he unwrapped his present.  I think that it may have been his favourite gift under the tree this year! 

And the original artist? She was quite impressed as well. "Grandma, you made Uncle Mal!" 

And yes, I am going to get a nice frame for the original piece.