fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Jeannette Naylor Laframboise for submitting the randomly chosen 1173rd entry! Win this giveaway and your wishes for winning even more prizes may come true. Marlaina of Pendulum Creations is giving away any handcrafted pendulum listed in her Etsy shop to one blessed soul. The winner could choose the fairy pendulum above to summon luck from the fae realm. The hand blown glass vial is filled with iridescent fairy dust and shimmery stars, as well as wishing beads to keep wishes close at hand and sugar sweetened candy crystals to help sweeten granted wishes. The pendulum hangs from a fairy orb chain maille strand and is embellished with a dancing fairy charm. Perhaps you'd rather try to draw money or harmony into your life instead - Marlaina designs a variety of pendulums to suit your needs. Gemstones, herbs and other mystical ingredients are used to power the pendulum's dowsing, chakra balancing and spiritual heightening a...

I must admit, I am a slacker when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Unless you count the many Nightmare Before Christmas collectibles that are lurking around my house all year long. However, I still gawk over the hordes of holiday home decor ideas stuck to boards all over Pinterest. Someday I hope to have the time and motivation to try some of the tutorials. Until then, I'll start small and buy signature pieces, like the sweetly sparkling reindeer that lit up our yard last December. USA's Independence Day is rocketing up fast, so I gazed to Etsy's wide skies for 4th of July decor solutions. These patriotic star decorations declared themselves worthy of featuring. 1. Jefferson- Stained Glass Star, Red White and Blue Star, Patriotic Star by Piggy&Dirt 2. Burlap Stars Red, White and Blue Burlap Door Hanger by Piece of My Mind 3. Patriotic Wreath, Fourth of July Wreath by Tasteful Creations 4. Americana Nautical Decor, Red White Blue Star Hooks by Sha...

"And in the woods a fragrance rare Of wild azaleas fills the air, And richly tangled overhead We see their blossoms sweet and red." - Dora Read Goodale 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 art card garden is growing! The Summer of Color challenge is already half over, and I've managed to complete a piece each week. For the third theme, I found a burgundy red columbine flower to draw whose colors match the smooth vanilla, black raspberry and cashew ingredients of Baskin-Robbins' Baseball Nut flavor. I can't recall having seen columbine flowers in person, but you can bet next time I go hiking, I shall keep my eyes open. Columbines are known to grow wild in woodland and mountain areas, so the fairies must nurture them there. Columbine flower art is drawn entirely with Prismacolor pencils , from start to finish. I used Jasmine, Yellow Ochre and White pencils to blend the inside petals, and Pink Rose, Raspberry and Black Cherry pencils to blend the outside petals. Drawing is on Strathmore Bristol Vellum Paper , hand cut to approximately 3.5" by 2.5", ACEO size. I've also linked up my colored pencil art and recommend visiting the following...

I consider myself a huge ice cream fan, so I was pleasantly surprised to be unfamiliar with this week's Summer Of Color theme flavor, Baseball Nut. I googled to discover that Baskin-Robbins first released Baseball Nut back in 1958 when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. The Dodgers were welcomed to their new home with vanilla ice cream swirled with black raspberries (to heckle the umpires, of course) and loaded with cashews. To get a taste of the color palette, I stepped up to the plate at the Etsy stadium. My search keywords hit a home run - don't these black raspberry bath and body products look good enough to eat? 1. Glycerin Soap - Black Raspberry Vanilla by Country Heart Soap 2. Black Raspberry - Body Polish - 4oz. by Pure Spa Squared 3. Black Raspberry Shimmer Lip Tint by For Goodness Grape 4. Black Raspberry Vanilla (type) Bath Bombs - Package of Four 1oz. Mini-bombs by The Soap Opera

Sometimes I go weeks without touching colored pencils, my art medium of choice. But not Chel of Viridian Muse Designs - she creates something artistic everyday, whether it be a whimsical painting, fairy doll or plush toy. All of her cute creations are filled with light and laughter. She designs them with the intention of making someone's day a little brighter. I certainly smile every time I visit her Etsy shop, and not just because I know what a sweet soul dwells behind the storefront. Chel enjoys working one on one with people to create thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. Her fairy dolls can be customized, from the hair and clothing colors to the tip of a wand or accessory. She also personalizes paintings with names and colors, which makes unique presents for baby showers and little girls' birthdays. Although Chel is inspired daily by her life, she confides, "Doing specified art, whether for a customer or a friend, just brings out the best in my creative muse."...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Jennifer B. for submitting the randomly chosen 929th entry. Don't despair if you didn't win, you can still receive 10% off at Life is the Bubbles by using coupon code MAGICAL during checkout before December 31, 2012. Wish upon a star and anything your heart desires may come to you, especially if it yearns for the blue fairy necklace above. Brandy and Kathy of Life is the Bubbles is granting a $25 gift card to one lucky wisher. If Pinocchio isn't your favorite fairytale, a variety of bottle necklaces based on other popular stories are also available. Most are embellished with written messages and charms. Each bottle's contents, from glitter to liquid to sand, shimmer with magic. All of their whimsical jewelry and art is inspired by Disney movies. The mother-daughter team believes that with a little bit of pixie dust, Life can become Magical. Better heed their warning whilst wandering around their Etsy shop - ...

"The fair azalea bows Beneath its snowy crest" - Sarah Helen Power Whitman 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>

Trying to find a naturally green flower to draw for week two's Summer of Color theme, Mint Chocolate Chip, was tough. So I didn't. Instead I drew an echeveria secunda, a succulent plant whose shape does very much resemble a rose. Echeveria plant drawing is colored with Prismacolor pencils onto ACEO sized Strathmore Vellum Bristol Paper . Colored pencil art is also linked up with A Pinteresting Party , Crafty Saturday Party , Paint Party Friday , Thursday Favorite Things , What You Doing Wednesday , Whimsy Wednesday and {wow me} Wednesday .

Finding gift ideas for my dad used to be extremely difficult - until he bought a motorcycle. Over the years, I've bought him a variety of official Harley Davidson merchandise , from clothing to home decor to glassware. Every time I visit a new town with a Harley store, I have to check out if it has any deals. I've also discovered unique presents at antique shops and craft fairs. Given my weekly Friday Finds feature, I'm a bit revved up that it didn't hit me earlier to search online for Harley Davidson gifts for men. Today I grabbed a helmet and rode around the streets of Etsy. I had to slow down to get a better look at these awesome motorcycle gifts. It may be too late to buy one this Father's Day ... but don't worry, Dadda, there's always the next holiday! 1. The "Brando" Retro Motorcycle, a Designer Wall Mounted Clock by LeLuni 2. Born To Ride Motorcycle Sign by My Metal Artworks 3. Classic Motorcycle Vinyl Wall Decal - Harley Davidson...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Skye for submitting the randomly chosen 43rd entry. The upcoming summer may have days that feel hot enough to melt glass - but one lucky lady will get to win a piece of jewelry that will make her the coolest girl in the area. Triada of The Purple Balloon is giving away a $25 gift card to spend in her Etsy shop. The heart pendant above comes in a variety of colors and is just one of the unique accessories available. Triada uses wire and liquid glass to craft a stunning style all her own. In addition to her wonderful wire wrapped jewelry, she uses metal sheets and resin to recreate pop icons into wearable art. From earrings of a Marilyn Monroe photograph to a pin of a Snoopy painting to a ring of a Mafalada picture, her listings are downright diverse. Trust me, floating through every page of her handmade store will be a beautiful breeze. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2012/06/jewelry-giveaway-25-gift-card-to-purp...

Natalie of Free Spirit Designs just nominated me for my fourth Versatile Blogger award in June 2012. Both Marja of Roseberry Style and M of Vagabond Carnival were the first to bestow me with the Stylish Blogger and Versatile Blogger awards in January 2011, then Megan of Megan's Creative Blog gave me my third Versatile Blogger award in February 2012. Carol of A Creative Harbor sprinkled me with the Irresistibly Sweet Blog award and Marja awarded me with a Trophy Cup in August 2011. I shall display them proudly in the dust free environment of this digital page. Thank you, darlings!! By accepting these awards, I now have the power to pick 15 more bloggers I feel deserve them, too! Congratulations to the talented souls of the following blogs: Beach City Beader Beaded Embellishments Cara Makes Elbit Blog ErtheFae's Meandering Thoughts Fairy Cardmaker's Workshop Graphite Web Gypsy Moon Art Studio Mermaiden Creations in the Otherworld My Two Cents ...

"Loveliest of lovely things are they on earth that soonest pass away. The rose that lives its little hour is prized beyond the sculptured flower." - William C. Bryant 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've been in a drawing rut lately. But the Summer of Color challenge started this week so I dug deep. I hope to grow a new piece to share each week, so instead of sketching, inking and then coloring, I'm trying something new - and only using colored pencils. That means no erasing and no fretting that the image isn't perfect. I'm just going to let the colors flow. For the 6-week event, I'll be practicing drawing flowers to incorporate into my fairy artworks. This year the inspirations are based on ice cream flavors. The first color scheme is "Rainbow Sherbet," a bold combination of pinks, oranges and a touch of white. I drew an orange tiger lily. I was envisioning the piece with a white and pink background, but as you can see by the deep blue, color happens. Tiger lily drawing is colored with Prismacolor pencils onto ACEO sized Strathmore Vellum Bristol Paper . Stroll over to Sunday Sketches to see more art by creative souls.

Have you ever heard a peacock's call? The screeching sound is not what I'd expect to come out of such a majestic bird. The first time I heard its curdling cry I was in elementary school, spending the night at the Philadelphia Zoo on a girl scout field trip. I was tuckered out after a full day of oohing and awwing the animals, huddled in my Rainbow Brite sleeping bag on the lawn. Sweet oblivion had almost claimed my little mind when I was shaken wide awake by what sounded like a sick cat literally mewling "help," over and over again. I did not get much sleep that night and it had nothing to do with the dozens of giggling girls around me. Although I wouldn't want to live within hearing distance of a pride of peacocks, the experience didn't stop me from being a fan of their elegant stature and vibrant tails. Today I put in ear plugs and kept my eyes peeled for their pretty plumes on Etsy. These peacock feather cuff bracelets strutted forward. 1. Hera's...

"The flower that follows the sun does so even in cloudy days." - Robert Leighton 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>

Growing up, Snow White was my least favorite Disney princess. Her personality didn't earn any brownie points when I grew old enough to read "Little Snow-White" by the Brothers Grimm, either. Fortunately, her story is certainly getting a makeover this year - with at least two movies and a television show revolving around the popular fairytale. I haven't seen Mirror, Mirror or Snow White and the Huntsman yet, but I am a fan of the Snow White on ABC's Once Upon a Time series, where she proves to be a heroine rather than just a pretty face. Although the original Snow White character may be gullible to a fault, I can't blame her for being tempted by the evil queen's poison apple. It always looks so shiny red and scrumptious! Today I commanded Etsy's looking-glass to show me the fairest of them all. I plucked these dangerously delicious beauties, growing amidst dozens of Snow White decals and apple stickers. 1. Snow White's Apple Necklace by Gje...