fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

The unicorn stood guard outside the tavern, unmoving in the golden light cast from the gas lamps towering overhead. Any minute the thief could come darting out of the brass door, pursued by his bounty huntress. The poor soul would be sorry he hadn't agreed to come quietly when he saw the sharp horn waiting for him. This is what galloped out of my head for the Fantasy Artists of Etsy's horse-themed art challenge for July. Unicorn ACEO inked with black Sakura Pigma Micron Pens and colored with Prismacolor pencils onto Strathmore Smooth Bristol Paper . Canter over to Sunday Sketches to see more art by creative souls.

The last Saturday of every July is National Dance Day, which makes it tomorrow! The closest Six Flags is quite a ride from here to participate in the group numbers choreographed by the So You Think You Can Dance crew, so I'll be celebrating at home. Find out how by reading yesterday's It's the Sparkles and the Shimmies , a guest post by belly dancer AJ Reardon. Like many little girls, I dreamed ephemerally of being a ballerina when I grew up. I took tap, jazz and ballet as a child, but my interests twirled onto other artistic things in middle school. Feeling nostalgic, today I slipped on my ballet slippers and pirouetted around Etsy's stage. These adorable ballerina bears joined me in the limelight. 1. Fondant Ballerina Bear Cake Topper by Fondant Fads 2. Emma the Ballerina Bear by Hello Happy! 3. Miniature Artist Bear Bella by Teacup Teddies 4. Crochet Ballerina Bear Pinkie Bearie by Made with Love by Laura

by AJ Reardon of Confessions of a Dance Pants Addict When Aquariann asked me to write a guest post about belly dancing to celebrate National Dance Day, I knew I wanted to do it. I just didn't know what I wanted to write. There are just so many aspects one could go over, but the truth is, most of the more intellectual subjects have been covered by people who have danced longer and studied harder than I have, so I'm going to keep it simple and personal - I want to talk about why I love belly dance. As a student and performer, belly dancing makes me feel amazing. There's just something about being able to move my body in ways that previously seemed impossible (rib slides? I can move my RIBS?), while being decked out in an elaborate costume. And for a shy, self-conscious, and at times clumsy girl, there is nothing quite like knowing that you're holding the attention of an entire room just by moving with the music and smiling. As an audience member, my fellow dancers captiva...

"If I was a flower growing wild and free All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee." - Barry Louis Polisar Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a> Visit the Summer of Color to see more wonderful images in purple.

A year and a half ago when Carapace proposed monthly art challenges for the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team, I had lofty hopes of partaking in every single one. I rose strong by drawing a winged wolf to celebrate the name of January's Full Moon , then did a muzzle dive and haven't participated since. Until today! I drew a steampunk unicorn for July's horse theme. ACEO is inked with black Sakura Pigma Micron Pens onto Strathmore Smooth Bristol Paper and soon to be cantering in Prismacolor pencils . Gallop over to Sunday Sketches to see more art by creative souls.

If you haven't captured a clue from my Jem Costumes , Strawberry Shortcake Treats , and Flashback Pillows finds, I'm truly an 80s child, and a geeky one at that. I grew up watching The Smurfs cartoon, and occasionally still catch it on the Boomerang network. I collect the cute little blue figurines. I even had the amazing opportunity to gape at Peyo's original Smurfs illustrations when I visited the Belgian Comic Strip Center in Brussels back in 2002. So smurf yeah, I will be seeing the new Smurfs movie even though it may turn out to be a disaster that would make even Gargamel wince. I'll be waiting until it comes out on video, though. There are too many other enticing film releases this summer! I don't possess Greedy's money tree that grows golden goodies and can't afford that many theater tickets. I can, however, freely explore the Etsy village. I whistled that familiar tune, and these adorable hats came smurfing along. It may be too hot to wear them now...

"How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a> Visit the Summer of Color to see more wonderful images in red.

Join Kimberly of Nightlily Design on Platform 9 3/4 to await the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The Fantasy Artists of Etsy team carriage is filled with magical creatures, including Ula the troll art doll, a felted wee beastie named Lurker, and my fire-breathing dragon . Matrix the Monster Laptop Case is also riding along, representing Kimberly's house of ferociously cute monsters. If you're down in the dungeons over not winning her Monster Book Cover Giveaway , this will cheer you up! Kimberly is still celebrating the release of the final Harry Potter movie with an exclusive sale for my readers. Receive 10% off at Nightlily Design using Etsy coupon code POTTERFAN10 during checkout before July 31, 2011. Treasuries shared by readers between July 19 - July 25 Peace Great gifts for boys & girls! Delaware Street Team Treasuries l a v e n d e r just like a circus just because i L I K E it Mango Mojito summer colorfest ! High Quality, Low Sales II For the Lo...

Was anyone up at the witching hour to see the first midnight showing of the final Harry Potter movie? I was awake, but I was captivated by the third season of TrueBlood , another series that materialized from the pages of a fantasy book. I am conspiring to see Deathly Hallows, Part 2, but am trying to be patient until the hysteria dissipates before apparating over to the theater. Instead I rode my broomstick over to Etsy, where there is never a waiting line or screeching child. I cast a summoning spell and these magical lockets appeared to quell my Harry Potter fix. 1. I Open At The Close Horcrux Resin Locket Deathly Hallows by Over The Top 2. Hedwig - Antiqued Brass Owl Watch Locket Necklace by Art Wonders 3. Customisable Hogwarts Letter - Harry Potter by Strangely Yours 4. Harry Potter Golden Snitch Necklace Watch by Invisible Wing

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to the randomly chosen 174th commenter, Tirabaralla ! Summer is in full swing! The dance clubs and amusement parks are jamming with people. No lady wants to lug around a full size purse to such bustling places, so Citlalli of Sew Beastly has designed an Itsy Bitsy Wristlet handbag line. These cute bags are the perfect size to fit the essentials and still strap comfortably around a wrist. Each is adorned with a ruffle and outside pocket that closes with a metal snap. Inside has two small open pockets, great for separating cosmetics from cash and phone. The winner of this handmade giveaway gets to choose one Itsy Bitsy Wristlet , priced at $21, from her new Etsy shop. Citlalli offers a variety of purses, wristlets and pouches. Most of her products are limited editions, made with repurposed fabrics she's saved from being toted away to landfills. She adores working with ruffles, because they bring such life to fabric. She also digs ja...

I drew this devious flying monkey a few years ago as a minion for my Ogre. He hasn't been available as a bookmark in the past because he growled ferociously when I tried to stuff him into the standard skinny format. However, I've been seeing more and more artists create bookmarks in ACEO size. I approached him again this week, inspired by brown week over at the Summer of Color . I went prepared with a banana split bribe to keep his fang busy while he was cloned, laminated, and adorned with a decorative yarn. Don't make me sic my flying monkey on you - go give his ACEO bookmark some handmade love on Etsy.

"There are people who reshape the world by force or argument, but the cat just lies there, dozing, and the world quietly reshapes itself to suit his comfort and convenience." - Allen and Ivy Dodd

Is my giddiness for the Jem and the Holograms animated series being back on air contagious, or are you sick of my fan posts yet? As promised, here is my finished drawing of the lead singing hologram herself. Jem ACEO inked with black Sakura Pigma Micron Pens and colored with Prismacolor pencils onto Strathmore Smooth Bristol Paper . Rock on over to Sunday Sketches to see more art by creative souls.

My cell phone sweetly reminded me a week in advance of my impending dentist appointment yesterday, so the last few days I may have spent a bit more time flossing than usual. After sitting steadfastly through my teeth being scraped and polished by the dental hygienist, I am happy to report I am cavity free. Although I still have reoccurring dreams of my pearly whites falling out of my mouth, I am thankful not to be young or old enough for that to actually happen. Still, I can't help but reminisce about memories of the tooth fairy. I still have several of the half dollar coins she somehow snuck under my sleeping head. I didn't have a special pillow, but would have begged for one if Etsy existed back then. These handmade tooth fairy pillows are sure to glean a toothy grin from any child. 1. Woodland Tooth Fairy Pillow by Paula Mills 2. Tooth Fairy Pillow with Fairy Dust Glitter by This Little Stitch 3. Polka Dotted Minky Fabric Tooth Fairy Pillow by Danni Mac Designs 4. Tooth F...

Are you ready to return to your local Renaissance Faire this festival season? Stop by the Fantasy Artists of Etsy tent first to find an amazing accessory to perfect your medieval costume. EDIT: Return to Renaissance 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 "renaissance."

"I will be the gladdest thing Under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers And not pick one." -Edna St. Vincent Millay <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a> Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun!

The fantasy role-players over at Hilltop Pottery rolled together a magical collection that any D&D fan will appreciate. Amongst the pieces summoned to the game are a hand forged iron dagger, a sculpted clay wizard oil lamp and my fire-breathing dragon magnet. Treasuries shared by readers between July 5 - July 11 Hogwarts Express Wishing Upon a Starfish Happy Birthday July g o l d e n Thinking Green Harry Potter magic Stop and Stare Muted Colors Whisper To Me Summer Morning A beach wedding The Running (of the Bulls) The Network Dreaming in Mute It Is National Ice Cream Month g o o d w o o d

"Shhh!" she breathed, raising her index finger to her lips. "He'll hear you." "He wouldn't notice me if I tap danced across his nose! He's a mere human," I scoffed, ruffling my wings and dusting the surrounding blades of grass with glitter. He stopped trudging through our forest and cocked his head to the side, almost as if he were listening to something...to me! I gulped and shrugged sheepishly at her. How had she known he was different? Fairy ACEO inked with black Sakura Pigma Micron Pens and colored with Prismacolor pencils onto Strathmore Smooth Bristol Paper . Tip toe over to Sunday Sketches to see more art by creative souls.

The local community college used to host an annual fair to celebrate Independence Day when I was a child. I'd spend the day jumping in the bouncy castle, getting my face painted and making sand art bottles. At night I'd accessorize myself with glow in the dark jewelry and curl up on a blanket with my family to oooh and ahhh at the fireworks display. Unfortunately, that festival became history years ago. Now the only place around to watch a fireworks show on the Fourth of July is downtown Rehoboth Beach. The Ogre has to work and can't protect me from the legion of people, so I won't be fighting the holiday traffic to reach the beach. Instead I am living vicariously by gazing into Etsy's night skies. I found several explosive fine art photographs to dazzle my eyes. 1. Firework Bridge 12inx18in. Dazzling View of Fiery Red Firework Display Against the Dark Night Sky by Adrien Huang 2. Dandelion Burst Just in Time for Flag Day and the 4th of July by CutchinPhotos 3. Fi...