fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

"All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears - of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, or speaking before a Rotary Club, and of the words 'Some Assembly Required'" - Dave Barry And many of you thought the Red Lobster captive in his tank was a poor unfortunate soul ... Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. 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>

I have been stopping to smell the roses for over a week now. The Ogre bought me a ravishingly red rose bouquet , because, as he told me on our first date five years ago, "every girl deserves roses on Valentine's Day." I had only been given fresh flowers by a boy twice before that moment, so I was quite charmed. My heart still flutters when he presents another bouquet each year. Even though I know the money could be better spent on other things, I enjoy the roses too much to tell him to ever stop. Even dried roses are beautiful, but I sadly end up throwing them away eventually. Today I went strolling through the gardens of Etsy for ideas on how to preserve a rose forever. Many crafters and jewelry artists are growing pressed rose art and accessories in their shops. Aren't these pretty ways to recycle flowers that would wilt away to dust if left alone? 1. Pressed Flower Red Rose Laminated Bookmark and Valentine Card Pink and Red With Gift Envelope - Gift Pack by B...

I won a couple giveaways before I left for Las Vegas, so I was excitedly expecting to come home to some good snail mail and not just bills and advertisements. Discovering a package from Denise of Beaded Embellishments in the mail pile was quite a pleasant surprise. We were introduced in September 2010 when I won her Tanzanite crystal earrings. She then volunteered to become my very first jewelry giveaway sponsor, and we've been reading each other's handmade blogs ever since. You may recall from a few Fridays ago that I was searching Etsy for a pair of amethyst heart earrings to match my new February birthstone bracelet. Well, Denise made me the honored recipient of one of her random acts of kindness and sent me these lovely earrings as a birthday gift!! They came wrapped so creatively in a piece of scrapbook paper that matched her pretty earring hang card . She even included a 3M Anti-Tarnish Strip. All I have to do is place it near the sterling silver earrings in an encl...

"Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: And I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run." - A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. 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>

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Francesca Romana Mazzuca for submitting the randomly chosen 387th entry! Believe it - Lori of Charmed Design is letting one lucky winner pick a piece out of the hand dyed silk wrap bracelet category of her jewelry store. The silk ribbons are hand painted to create that stunning gradation of color. Each wrap around bracelet is embellished with a mixture of charms and gemstones that enhance positive energies, such as luck or peace. To wear one, just wrap the ribbon around your wrist, tie and tuck in the ends. The ribbons are over 30 inches long so they can also be transformed into anklets or necklaces. Making jewelry began as a constructive and uplifting hobby to do while Lori was recovering from a sudden and life threatening illness. Although she lost her job, home, and life as she knew it, surviving such a near death experience has made her believe that she is indeed charmed, hence the name of her business. Her modern and mea...

Unfortunately, I did not win it big in Vegas while celebrating my birthday. But thanks to Dorothy and her wonderful friends, I did not lose big, either. After a week of spending about $20 a day in gambling at a variety of stunning casinos, I landed atop a penny slot machine themed around one of my favorite classic movies, the Wizard of Oz (2-Disc 70th Anniversary Edition DVD currently on sale for $9.49 and eligible for free shipping on Amazon.com if any fellow fans are interested). I'd been dazzled by the ruby slippers feature before, but this was the first time I was awarded the free spins bonus round. The Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion faces were all lit up as wild cards. I watched in glee as the wins for all the reels added up to $95! Then I clicked my heels and went happily home the next day. Today I followed the yellow brick road from Etsy to the Emerald City. Look at the amazing sets of Wizard of Oz dolls that skipped along to join me on my journey. Each han...

"It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden - anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous." - Ron Weasley from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. 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>

I survived my 30th birthday, gleefully surrounded by the dazzling lights and glitter of Las Vegas. Much fun was had in the mammoth casinos, but it was nice to return home. Instead of choking on a cloud of cigarette smoke, I was welcomed by a mist of amethyst magic, cast by AJ of Erthe Fae Designs . She chose several fabulous ingredients from the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team, including a lavender pearl Celtic necklace, fairy costume wings and my purple unicorn art magnet. Treasuries shared by readers between February 14 - 20 Amethyst Magic Brighten Up Your February with Turquoise and Red! A Message From Spring A Garden Full of Spring Flowers Jewelry Unicorn Farts Green to be seen Whimsical Rusticism Spring Celebrations St. Patty is Green With Envy Has Spring SpRu Ng? Sat Night Specials take me home . . .

Hard to believe that newborn baby was me exactly 30 years ago, right? "It takes a long time to grow young." - Pablo Picasso Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. 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>

My birthday isn't until next week, but I've already started celebrating. My Ogre's dad's birthday is tomorrow, so last Sunday we feasted on the best homemade french onion soup I have ever tasted. We also exchanged presents. His parents bought me a beautiful February birthstone bracelet from JCPenney. Spaced upon the sterling silver chain are six tiny amethyst gemstone hearts surrounded by diamond chips. I've been wearing it on my left wrist, as the style matches my engagement ring perfectly. I've already found birthstone earrings for several other months (see January Garnet Earrings , September Blue Sapphire Earrings and October Pink Opal Earrings ) so I had to search for more of my own February jewelry. It's great to have a birthright excuse to wear purple accessories. I absolutely adore these heart shaped earrings. 1. Amethyst Heart Earrings Sterling Wire Wrapped by Holly Presley 2. Gemstones Stud Earrings 925 Sterling Silver - Purple Amethyst Fe...

"How doth the little crocodile Improve his shining tail, And pour the waters of the Nile, On every golden scale! How cheerfully he seems to grin, How neatly spreads his claws, And welcomes little fishes in With gently smiling jaws!" - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. 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>