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Monday, September 16, 2013

A rainbow bike and a Sundae dress! :)

This was the weekend of getting things done!   Consequently, those two days flew by like they were nothing.  Saturday I reserved to meet with Daniel's grandmother and work on my Sundae dress, and we worked on it...for almost seven hours!  There were many interruptions as there was a lot going on that day, but we managed to construct (almost) the entire dress and by the time I left I was exhausted.  That night Daniel and I drove up to my friend Diana's house for snacks and movies, and in the morning I had grand plans to attack another project - my bike - by painting it into a rainbow!  Sure, I had the concept down; but I really had no idea how much effort and time it would actually take.  The painting part was pretty easy, but the whole taking the bike apart and putting it back together thing was a little more complicated.  Luckily for me, I have an amazingly handy husband, so with our powers combined we were...captain Rainbow!!!  Or something like that.. So here are some behind the scene pictures of the process (before it was so pretty!).  
1.  Well, here it is upside down- looking pretty frumpy.  First Daniel helped me to take the wheels off and lay everything in the grass behind our apartment complex.  We then bagged the parts we didn't want to spray, like the seat, pedals and handle bars.  
2.  The second step was to sand off as much rust and dirt as we could in order to have a fresh surface for the spray paint!
3.  Daniel and I lined up our spray paints in order of color and discussed placement of each color and then took turns spraying away (him on one side and I on the other) it really helps having one person on each side to spray the spots you can't see.
4.  We waited a half hour and then applied a second coat of paint and touched up spots that still needed to be done.   We also sprayed the inside of the tires and let them dry before putting them back together.

And then, we took her for a stroll around the neighborhood and snapped some photos!!  
And boy, does she look magnificent!
 I actually found this dress in my grandmother's hallway closet in my grandfather's house.  She passed away about a decade ago now but my 92 year old grandfather still lives in the house, so a lot of her things are still around.  I was ecstatic when I found it and a slew of other really beautiful vintage garments.  It really means a lot to me to have some of her things to remember her by.   I believe this one was actually something she purchased for my Aunt back in the day, as it appeared to be from the 70s and still contained the original tag and everything!  It was a maxi, but I knew it would look great as a mini, I am really glad I found it and did the hem before the end of summer!  Fall is quickly approaching...

 Dress:  Vintage, Grandma's closet, Pin & Necklace: Vintage, Tights: Target, Shoes: Modcloth.com, Bike:  Newark Bike Project, self-painted! 
And now the Sundae Dress...I am so excited about unveiling this!  I have been working on this dress for so long, bit by bit over time, and I finally hunkered down and got it done last night.  I am so happy with how the dress came out- and so glad that I saw it through.  Now I can really begin to focus on my own textiles, and complete more garments.  It will not be fast (or easy) but now I have the confidence to push forward and get it done.  I can not thank Daniel's grandmother enough for all of her help!! (Especially on the zipper, which I had quite a time with!)

I am really in love with this fabric.  Polka dots and Sundaes, does it get any better?!?
Sundae Dress:  Self-made, cardigan: Forever 21, Headband: Claire's, Necklace: TopShop, Shoes:  ModCloth
These are the flats that I swiped from the Cabin Fever Sale on Modcloth.com a few weeks ago.  I have already gotten SO much wear out of these puppies, and they are holding up wonderfully! (I have lost one stud, but that's not bad considering how clumsy I am!).  They seem to go wonderfully with so many of my outfits, the colors make them pretty versatile! 

I have gotten a little behind on blogging these last few weeks, and am developing some sniffles (eeek seasonal cold coming??) but I will be sure to check out all of your blogs and get back to commenting soon.  As always thanks for being wonderful friends and for reading my post!  Have a lovely rest of your Monday!

xo, Alyssa

15 comments:

  1. That bike is absolutely incredible! I bet you are so glad you took the time to paint it because it will be such an eye-catching piece to ride around town with. It is beautiful. I adore the butterfly print on your grandmother's dress as well, what a little gem! The sleeves are so cute.
    And kudos to you on your sundae dress! The color is so vibrant and WOW. You're amazing :)

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  2. Your pics make me so happy-the rainbow bike, your grandmother's dress, your sundae dress. I want to live in your bright, happy, colorful, rainbow, magical world. You keep being you! You're a joy!

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    1. Marie, this comment just warms my heart :D (as tacky as that sounds ;p) Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. I am really so happy that you can enjoy this little peek into my world :) <3 You are such a sweet person!

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  3. This bike is everything! The colors are so fun and it's just so YOU! I love it!

    Xo, Hannah

    sweetsweetnoir.net

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  4. i love the capped sleeves of your grandmother's dress! AND the colorway of your second outfit :)

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  5. What a lovely outfit! You look so adorable. I love both of the dresses :)

    xoxo
    Mathilde from
    Parisian Fairytale

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  6. I don't even know where to begin! Haha <3 The flutter sleeve dress is super cute and I love the print! Kick ass bike, as well! Nyan cat would be proud. *^_^*

    Adorable sundae dress! The polka dots are perfect and those bright teal tights go beautifully with it! Well done!

    - Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

    ** ModCloth Glasses Giveaway on my blog! U.S. & Canada Only! **

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  7. Oh my GOODNESS, Alyssa! Your biiiiiiike! Okay, that is seriously perfect for you. I love that you took the time to take it apart and paint it a bunch of exciting colors. It matches you and your personality to a T. I like to think that you're actually a neverending paint tube full of rainbow paint that just kind of drenches everything you touch in rainbows and colors and wonder. :) So yeah, props to you on getting that accomplished.

    Also, I'm crazy in love with your ice cream dress. It combines my favorite things--ice cream and dresses, ehehehe. That print is precious, and I love that you paired it with those candy drop-like flats. Seriously, you look delectable! And I don't mean that in a creepy serial killer sort of way.

    Have an amazing rest of the week, Alyssa! And survive HUMP DAY!

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  8. Oh, Lady! I hope every post of yours with anxiety, love all your projects so smart, all your looks so colorful and beautiful. First, I congratulate you three times ... first one, for that beautiful bike ... I took some time looking for a vintage-looking bike, but no luck, I love this bike!
      Second, congratulations for the cute dress your grandmother, that's so cute! I imagine your grandmother smiling from heaven while she looks you wearing this cute dress.
       And thirdly, I congratulate you for being the creator of the most beautiful ice cream dress that I saw in my life! OMG! It's wonderful!

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  9. Your rainbow bike looks magnificent, and I love the vintage dress you're wearing in those photos! AND the sundae dress is awesome and fits you beautifully!! I desperately need to learn how to sew!

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

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  10. Hey,

    I love your sundae dress. Did you make the pattern by yourself?

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    1. Thank you so much Jolien! I did not make the pattern myself- it was a pattern by Simplicity and part of the "Project Runway Series" I would be more than happy to share the number with you if you would like :) Hopefully when I get more experienced I can start making my own patterns! :)

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  11. you are so colorful and beautiful! i love your bike and your dress!! x

    Chantilly

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  12. I adore all your dresses but this one is probably my all time favourite. I NEED a sundae dress too. This is the sweetest most creative print I have ever seen. Beautiful. You look stunning. I adore the rainbow bike, it is so you. It must be fun to combine the enjoyment of bike riding with the wonderfulness of colour. This is such a great idea and I am very impressed. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  13. That dress of your Grandmother's is gorgeous!! And I'm kind of in love with your floppy mint hat too! That's so fun how you painted your bike, your Hubby's so sweet to help you do it :)
    Jessi
    http://haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com/

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