...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
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
here's to fairytale sea chariots and carriages!
