Old Blue

Hello my friends,
hope you are having a wonderful week.
It is a bit toasty here, but after all; it's summer!
 
Years ago I was driving along a back road in Spanish Fork, Utah with a friend.
That's when I first caught sight of 'Old Blue'.
 
This is not an original picture.  That was long before the days of 'blogging' and cell phones. It did not enter my mind to take a photo of her.
 
 
She was parked outside of an antique shop.  I inquired as to whether or not she was for sale and how much?
Even though they were using her as their display they decided they would part with her for $15.
Needless to say, 'Old Blue' came home with me.
 
She was faded and had seen better days so I decided to cheer her up with a new paint color of sunny yellow.
 
Again, I didn't take a photo of her, but this is one my neighbor took and gave to me.  It was when she was getting a little faded and ready for another makeover.
 
 
 
I refreshed her with a turquoise color and then last year I decided to paint her white and plant her red, white, and blue.
 
She seemed happy enough and proud to be an American!  : )
 


About a month ago I decided that 'Old Blue' was longing to be blue again.
 
 
After giving her a fresh coat of paint I lined her baskets with moss and planted her in pink, white, and purple.
 
 
 
 
She's struggling just a little in our 100 degree weather, but I gave her a shot of fertilizer today and hopefully that will do the trick.
 
I also added a hat to shade her from the heat.  lol!
 
"Old Blue" is parked just inside our East gate and loves it when company comes to visit!
 
 
I'm sure she misses the days when children squealed with delight as they pedaled down the road riding her.
 
Still,
 
I do believe she's happy to be 'Old Blue' again!
 
hugs,
Jann
 
I will be sharing with these lovely parties:
 


 

45 comments

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Love this and all the different colors Ol' Blue has been. I have my bike (from the 70s), but I can't quite bring myself to do anything with her. Lovely inspiration!

Unknown said...

Old Blue is a beauty! Love her color, and the flowers are great!

Tamara said...

she is very lovely dressed in any color.. She's very charming and her showcase of flowers set her off nicely! Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

Tamara <3

NanaDiana said...

Great old bike. I like the blue color but then I loved the white one, too. My own is HOT PINK. lol Hope you have a great week. xo Diana

Sue said...

Love "Old Blue's new color, great job, thanks for sharing.
Sue

20 North Ora said...

Jann - That is such a cute bike! I have a small bike that I painted red - tires and all. Really looks good.

Judy

Pamela Gordon said...

Old Blue looks great in all 3 colours I think but I'm partial to aqua.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Oh! How I LOVE this beautiful ol' gal! She's a gem, Jann!

And I can't wait until you see MY YO-YO FLAGS.... Will be sharing soon! I just returned to the Li'l Dutchgirl after spending Father's Day weekend with my dad in Florida! I made two while I was gone (140 yo-yos). I just LOVE them!

Hugs and happy week,
Kelley~

Betty said...

Hi Jann, Ol'Blue looks very happy in her most recent paint color and the pink flowers are the perfect complimentary color. She looked nice in white too but maybe a little pale. Now everything about her just "pops". What a fun post! Hugs,

Tea in the Library said...

I am sure Ol' Blue is happy to be of service again. She looks fresh as can be in her new finery.

My Painted Garden said...

Hi Jann, Love Old Blue and the story of how she came to live with you - I have a feeling she likes being blue again and having a summer hat and pretty flowers to wear. Have a lovely day. Erin

Connie said...

Thanks for your inspiration . . . she is so pretty. I have a bike that I do not use anymore and I want to do something like that with it. Just can't seem to get truly inspired. Your post really helped. We live in such a dry climate that I might need to go with succulents.

Salmagundi said...

I do think you have gotten your money's worth out of "old blue". Love the baskets of flowers. Sally

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

What a wonderful history of your meeting with "Ole Blue"... she certainly has had the good life while in your care! I think I like the turquoise look the best... what a special way to spruce up your garden with vintage and color! :)

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Well "Old Blue" is a gal with a colored past... ha ha ha! She looks great in any color but aqua seems to be the hot right now!

I featured you this week for Let's Talk Vintage, pop on over when you get a second.

Enjoy your week, Jann!

~Jill

Joy Junktion said...

Well she's a pretty 'old blue', Jann! What a great price, you wouldn't find one for that these days! She is a keeper, I'd say! Enjoy her! Blessings, Cindy

Marsha said...

I think I like the bike in blue, too, the best. I like the idea of planting the flowers in her baskets--perfect! She's just right for greeting guests.

cynthia lee designs said...

I'm loving "Old Blue"...she is a beauty!!
~Cindy

Leovi said...

Delightful flowers, I love the delicacy that transmit these bikes planters!

Cecilia said...

I love all her colors but I do think the blue is my favorite. I'm sure she's happy to still be useful.

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh my goodness! I love Old Blue! Love the color and the plants! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Susie said...

Jann, I am in love with old blue. LOL. I like the make overs it's had. I still have yet to do an old kids bike I bought once. I love like it is in a way. I should just use it as is then think about painting it. Blessings for a good day. xoxo,Susie

Stephanie said...

My dear Jann, you are such a delight and your talent blows me away! I love old blue, my friend :) Thank you so much for taking the time to link up with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Old Blue is a gem! I like how you "planted" her! I've been wanting one myself but haven't spent enough time looking. I hope the flowers will hold up with the intense heat. I'm trying to fertilize mine more often although I put in a slow release fertilizer they say to give them the liquid boost for the most blooms. Is that double basket on the end something you found to go on it? I like that a lot.

Linda W. said...

What a cool old bike! I like how you decorated her. And I think she looks best in blue. :)

Sarah said...

Jann, Old Blue looks like she is happy in her new garden spot. Great idea! Of course, I'm partial to the red, white, and blue, but the new pinks and purples look fresh for the summer.
Stop by my fence post to see a fence made of old bicycles. ;-)

Jonell w Harrison said...

Gotta gotta have a bicycle...just because. I can compromise with style etc but refuse to over pay. I think it should be PINK, YES PINK IT WILL BE~sOOOO Pretty

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

She's fabulous in either color. You've displayed her so beautifully. LUV!

Cynthia said...

She's a beauty Jann. I'm hoping to score one of these down the road. I would like to fill it with flowers in spring and summer and deck her out in the fall.

Cindy

My thrift store addiction said...

Jann, I adore this--each and every way it has been painted! I have been looking for one for my garden for-E-V-E-R and finally my dear daughter is bringing me one when she comes to visit this weekend--yay!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

I am so glad you brought her back to her original gorgeous blue! I have been longing for one of those bikes myself, to try and actually ride it. I found a new one, same style and color for over $500! Not happening. I love how you have decorated her. What a keepsake!

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Awwwww I love Old Blue! She's gorgeous!

decorayadora said...

Hi dear Jann!! Hermosa ese color de esa bicicleta ! Me encanta ese hermoso ramillete de flores encima de ella

Unknown said...

That is just gorgeous Jann - I love it in every color scheme you've done !!!
xox

Rose L said...

Lovely unique garden!

sandi s said...

I love your story and pictures of Old Blue. I have been watching for a bike for my flowers also. I love your blog. Hugs,

Anne's Attic - Design said...

I love old blue! To buy her for $15.00 is a bargain. Today they are going for $50 to a $100 at unique shops. I think that garage sales are the best bet now. Just got your invite and will be there. Anything I can do to help? XX Jo

Michelle H said...

So beautiful! I've got an old bike that needs a new paint job, too! I'm having such a difficult time deciding on the color; big problem, right? Hahaha. I found a metal basket for it at Goodwill, now I'm excited all over again to get it fixed up!

Junkchiccottage said...

Love Ole Blue just love!!!! I have two old bikes and love them in my garden. They give such personality to the garden. No matter what color you paint her she is stunning. Have a happy rest of the week. Your bike post today made me smile.
Kris

Benita said...

I love your bike! I think they are so cool and wonderful as decorations in the garden! I loved the yellow and the white, but the blue works best!

camp and cottage living said...

I like your bike painted blue again! What a deal too, Jann.

Melissa said...

Jann, I love your innovative bicycle makeover! I'd never thought of turning a bicycle into a planter-- great idea. And the flowers look very pretty with that aqua blue color.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

She looks so happy in blue. Love her planted baskets and the addition of the hat. Adorable, and what a bargain too. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

My thrift store addiction said...

Hi Jann, thanks so much for the party!

Winnie said...

I really like your "old blue" and you gave it a great color :) Having it surrounded with flowers is wonderful, very "country" style

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