...my seaside chariot

...hello lovelies!!

here i am!

life has been interesting this week, to say the least!

and i,

 well,

i have immersed myself into the completion of my 

~seaside chariot~

did you know that "chariot" is the french word for carriage??

romantic, isn't it?

someday, i hope to actually live by the sea.

i once heard this expression:

"the sea is my "Paris""

this is so true for me!

but for now,

i can only simply dream

and dream i did as i created this chariot!!

every detail is an infusion of sea inspiration.

my bicycle transformation began with a ladies pink and pearl, beach cruiser bike.

(how apropos!)

i spray painted all pink pieces of this bike

with my favorite spray paint color:

Krylon's brushed metallic in satin nickel

it is like a soft champagne color

and did you know that Martha Stewart has a new line of acrylic paints

 available at Michael's Craft Store?

i was so excited when i spied her new line and she has gorgeous new stencils too!

here i used her satin, multi-surface paint

in the shade of  "wedding cake"

(doesn't that sound romantic too??)

along with her stencil kit "cathedral lace"

this was a little challenging because of all the angles

JAMI

i sooo appreciate your ability to stencil like nobodies business

and reallllly wished you lived next door ~ for reals!!

but,

i did my best

and figure, i will be spinning along so quickly,

no one will be able to get that close to check out the perfection

or should i say, the lack thereof

HA!!

i made handle bar corsets 

i used a piece of canvas and sewed on an overlay of crochet lace

(do you see a theme starting...hhhmmmm????)

and then i attached a circlet of fabric rose trim to the very edge

you know i'm all about incorporating romance into everyday living!

here is my seat.

again, i just used some canvas and cut out a seat circle

then i made a casing to be able to tie it tightly underneath

i then hand sewed the crochet doily on the edge all the way around

so that it would fit correctly

i like how the edge looks like it is scalloped

i like to carry a blanket whenever we go riding

as you never know when you will need to sit a spell

and have a refreshing drink

so

a back basket was in order.

i really desired willow baskets on my bicycle 

they just bespeak elegance to me

 but

after further consideration,

i decided that this metal mesh basket may serve me better

as it is very dry and hot where i live and the basket would dry out very quickly

and we wouldn't ant that, now would we??!

this basket was originally black,

but i sprayed it with my favorite shade

and then made a liner out of linen.

more rose trim was added like on the handle bars

along the elastic edge

it is durable and washable

~ love that!!

this is the front basket

it was also black

can you guess what i did??

yep'

i sprayed that too!

and created a little basket bling

using an oval shell to which i "liquid nails" glued

a vintage rhinestone starfish earring to

as this was the front of my seaside chariot,

i opted to use the rose trim that was wider here

(you can find both rose trims at Jo-Ann Fabrics)

i like the softness that it lends on the linen liner

i wrapped a sea shell garland around this front baskets handle for added whimsy

another reason for choosing this basket was

that it is very convenient to use elsewhere

like say ~ at the farmers market

 or to stow any left over loster roll sandwich from lunch!!

(as if ther would be any of THAT left!!)

it can easily removed or replaced ready to serve you!

when i was all finished with my seaside chariot's transformation

i stepped back and was thrilled with her loveliness

but

something was missing!

no!

not a mermaid!!

(a new mermaid tail is being created as we speak ~ lol!!)

then

the idea came to me!

the last thing i created

was an elegant "vanity plate"

i used a small piece of  pine and wood burned my "seaside chariot" words into the wood

i then painted it and sanded it to my satisfaction

then i decorated to my hearts content:)

this is a reflection of who i am

so baby,

i happily embellished!!

i wanted to have a starfish in the front,

and in the back

so 

for my back starfish,

i decided to add some more bling

and flipped it over to the backside and attached rhinestones to the arm's channels

...and sewed lace trim around a few pieces of driftwood

a few pearl dangles and...

my chariot awaits!!

now,

to introduce her to the sea...

i hope you were inspired today

and encourage you to infuse bits of yourself into those things in your life that bring you joy!

sharing my sea inspired chariot with:

Common Ground's: Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage's: Feathered Nest Friday

Freckled Laundry's: Air Your Laundry Friday

Romantic Home's: Show and Tell Friday

2805's: Potpourri Friday
the diy club's: 31-days-of-spray-paint

here's to fairytale sea chariots and carriages!