fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

Last week I slathered my scales in SPF 60 and explored Busch Gardens Williamsburg under gloriously blue April skies instead of the twinkling December darkness of its Christmas Town celebration. Although I screamed gleefully during my rides on all four roller coasters in the amusement park, my favorite was the most ancient beast, the Loch Ness Monster. It was the first coaster in the world to feature interlocking loops at its opening over 30 years ago. And wow, that first steep drop toward the Rhine River is still just as thrilling as when I was a kid. Today I was inspired to go questing for the creature through the deep waters of Etsy. Nessie isn't quite as elusive as I feared - look at these amazing handmade creations I discovered! 1. Adult or Child Loch Ness Sea Monster Costume by Miss Nessa's Monster Shop 2. Nessie Copper and Sterling Necklace by Jewel Street Designs 3. Nessie 5x7 Archival Art Print by Elephant Trunk Studio 4. Loch Ness Chubbikin Plush by erinaellis ill...

I hunted through the green cellophane grass lawns of my Etsy Twitter teammates today, and look at the cute bunnies I found hopping around! I hope everyone has a happy Easter, filled with love, laughter, and sweet treats. I've already gathered enough Cadbury and Reese's eggs to keep my basket full until next year. 1. Pinky and Her Peeps by From Nancy's Heart 2. Green Glass Bunny and Egg Earrings by Linda B's Jewelry 3. Wee Little Rabbit print by a Cagey Bee 4. Little Sugar Bunny in a Basket by Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage

“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” -Douglas Adams

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over! Congratulations to the randomly chosen 139th commenter, Mojo3777creations . What everyday princess wouldn't want a shopping spree for fairytale jewels? Meredith Tilley is prepared to wave her magic wand and grant one of you that very wish. She's offering a $25 gift card, valid at both her original Tilleyjewels and Bridal Boutique Etsy shops. Mere has hundreds of handmade accessories to choose from, including a gorgeous line of crossover wrap bracelets like the caged fuchsia glass pearls one showcased above. She's been working with beads and wire for years - in grade school, she created tiny seed bead accessories for her Barbies. She has the art of sparkle mastered. How To Enter The Giveaway Giveaway is open worldwide. I will be pulling a number from my random.org top hat after 11:59pm EST on April 30, 2011, and the corresponding commenter will win! Meredith will contact that lucky soul. If she doesn't hear back from the winner with...

Coco Cornell April 30, 1996 - April 14, 2011 Sadly, I had to say goodbye to my Coca Monsta around 4am yesterday morning. I miss her tremendously, but am thankful that I was granted the gift to adore and pet her from the very second she arrived into this world until she departed it. She was nearly fifteen years old and happily spoiled every day of her life. Now she can eat all the spaghetti her soul desires and play tug of war with her mom over their favorite moo cow squeaky toy again.

Julia Finucane let loose a swarm of fairies from the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team. Can you hear the soft cadence of their approach? Fluttering among them is my breast cancer awareness fairy , her wings vibrating from a mix of Blush, Deco and original Pink Prismacolor pencils. Treasuries shared by readers between April 12 - April 20 Big Blue Eyes Easter Celebration Little Red Riding In Because green is my favorite color Happy Big Wind Day! A Rose By Any Other Name is Etsy. Steam Punk'd A Time For Celebrating. Fresh Whisper of a Breeze Light My Hair on Fire Hip to My Heart shades of blue ~ beautiful gifts for Mom or you! Where'd You Get Those Shoes? Red and Turquoise A Little Green It's my BIRTHDAY and I can window shop if I want to! Spring on the Farm Mother's Day Sales Can I Take Your Picture neutral never looked so good! Sea of Tranquility Stupid is If I were rich... Let's Play! (DelEtsy Team) Olive Garden (DelEtsy Team) Days of In...

Fae folk may not be as big as lions or tigers or bears, but they can be just as dangerous. Particularly to my bank account. There's no place like the Fantasy Artists of Etsy exhibition to find enchanting gifts. EDIT: Fairies, Elves & Pixies, Oh My! has been replaced by another exhibition, but click on the screenshot below to view all the FAE items currently for sale that are tagged with the word "fairy."

I'm still marveling over the newest member of the Neighborhood Watch in my parents' community. After taking my mom out for an early birthday dinner, we drove by a small figure perched near the end of a driveway. At first, I thought someone had moved a lawn ornament to mow their grass and forgotten to put it back. So I implored my Ogre to turn around, and he crept the Charger slowly forward. I've seen herons, but never this close up and so far from water - the nearest pond is a few miles away. I usually carry a camera now, thanks to Wordless Wednesday , so I captured a few photographs. He blinked once or twice, but seemed unruffled by the flash. That may have been because he was sleeping, but I prefer to daydream he was highly trained as a sentinel, like the Queen's Royal Guard. Today I waded through Etsy in search of his kin. These unique birds certainly have inspired many lovely handmade creations. 1. The Blue Heron Cotton and Burlap Pillow Cover by JolieMarche 2. B...

The sexy wench steering the wheel at Lithia's Creations has collected a treasure chest full of trinkets and baubles in anticipation of sailing to the Renaissance Faire. Among the plunder pillaged from the Fantasy Artists of Etsy crew is a watercolor map, wire wrapped bone duster earrings, concrete octopus sculpture and my pirate bookmark. Treasuries shared by readers between April 5 - April 11 Hydrangeas on my Mind Marsha's Woodland Wanderings Darkly Dreaming (DelEtsy Team) Dela-Where? (DelEtsy Team) Etsy Chai Blues Treasury Magical Uses Diamonds for April Simply Devine Lighter Than Sirens Louder Than Bells in the round a fresh start Prom Ideas (Cast Team) have you seen my bunny? the awkward ballerina Vivid Colors from On Fire For Handmade Team

Our mini-vacay at Caesars in Atlantic City was royally fun. Tuesday we spent most of the afternoon being pampered at the spa, then moved several property spaces over to the House of Blues for a rocking U.S. Foodservice party. And of course, we couldn't call it a night without playing the slot machines. I didn't collect $200, but I did obliterate enough ugly extraterrestrials in the Alien bonus rounds that my duct tape wallet left with as much cash as it started with. Despite the trip spinning by much too quickly for my tastes, I had to smile when passing so many of the street names made famous by my childhood favorite board game, Monopoly . Once home, I made a gamble and was pleased with the handmade creations Etsy dealt back. 1. 1930's/40's Monopoly Board Game Box Spiral Bound Notebook by Another Work in Progress 2. Running Behind Antique Brass Necklace by Waist Knot Belt Co. 009 3. Steampunk Wedding Cuff Links Monopoly Top Hat Game Piece by Noble Studios Ltd 4. V...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over! Congratulations to the randomly chosen 242nd commenter, Sara Donahue . This is no April Fool's joke, Rozelyn of Jaydemia is shelling out a pair of her eco-friendly earrings for free. Any mermaid's scales would turn even greener with envy over glimpsing this treasure glimmer from a human's ear. The handmade beads of broken blacklip shell pieces gleam a silvery green tone that sparkles as the light hits. Swarovski crystals and sterling silver earwire add more shine. Rozelyn offers many designs for souls that wish to keep the magic of the ocean near. Her Eco-Style Collection upcycles small wood and shells that are abundant and usually thrown away. She discovered these unique materials by working closely with a friend who started a Livelihood program for the wives and widowers of fishermen in a small island town in the Philippines. Each eco-bead used in this collection is a pure labor of love and is fairly traded. How To Enter The Giveaway Gi...