fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

"Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon" - Firework by Katy Perry After dancing in the flash mob on July 20, I twirled around the 2013 Delaware State Fair a bit more. Not only did I get to feed Twiggs the Giraffe a carrot, but I left the circus just in time to see fireworks burst beautifully over the ferris wheel! Trying to forever freeze two moving light sources in one stunning shot proved difficult on such short notice, so I also recorded my first video to help capture the moment. 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!

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Alexia Harvours for submitting the randomly chosen 419th entry. You don't have to fly to Madagascar to gape at the majesty of its native sunset moth. You won't even have to pay for shipping if you win these beautiful butterfly wing earrings from Winged Art by Athenianaire ! Although the Madagascan sunset moth isn't technically a real butterfly, its magnificent wings are just as colorful as its more popular Lepidoptera relative. A reflective emerald green portion has been preserved in 8mm round earrings with sterling silver posts. Isn't it amazing how such fragile beauty can live on even after natural death? Many specimens from legal conservation farms are too imperfect or damaged for collectors to display on their walls, so Rebecca upcycles the wing fragments into wearable art. Not only does her butterfly jewelry spread wings of joy, but purchasing her materials helps to conserve land for populations to thrive a...

"Look at me boy 'Cause I got you Where I want you Isn't it so exciting?" - Give It Up by Victorious Cast Last month I could barely contain my excitement when I stumbled across a press release in the Cape Gazette inviting anyone to participate in a flash mob at the 2013 Delaware State Fair. Michele Xiques (she directed the Pirates of the Caribbean ballet I raved about last year) and Gene Knowland from First State Academy of Dance choreographed a fun routine to a Victorious Cast song. The video was then uploaded to YouTube and I spent two nights playing and rewinding it to learn the moves. My spirits dipped when none of my friends were comfortable performing the dance in such a short amount of time, but I was determined to check it off my bucket list. Despite not knowing any other dancers, most of which were at least half my age, I was able to rock it out with the support of my parents in the crowd as cheerleaders and videographers. For those not used ...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Nicole Millheim for submitting the randomly chosen 1088th entry. Follow the Will-O'-The-Wisps to Life is the Bubbles and they may lead you to a fate of winning free Disney-inspired jewelry! The adventurous mother-daughter team is giving away another $35 gift card to their whimsical Etsy shop. That's enough to choose any piece of magic bottle jewelry with money to spare - but it's up to the winning lass to decide what her heart desires. The Fate necklace above was inspired by the animated movie Brave, as you may have guessed from the bear charm. Or if you'd rather attract a cuddlier bear, pounce on a pair of Winnie the Pooh's honey pot earrings instead. There are so many magical options! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2013/07/fate-necklace-brave-movie-giveaway-jewelry.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/giveaways/1...

Although I'm enjoying the summer, I can't help but daydream about autumn. To simply step outside without suddenly sweating will be splendid. And while the world is glorious when green, I am always eager to see it swirl into fall foliage colors. The heat is still coming in wilting waves, so I'll have to be patient. Wearing these golden yellow leaf earrings by Denise of Beaded Embellishments is a simply pretty way to help me think cool thoughts! The soft gleam of the lucite leaves is amplified by the sharp sparkles of the golden shadow Swarovski crystals. Each element is expertly wire wrapped together with sterling silver. The sterling silver hook style ear wires came with pvc clutch backings so when a big breeze finally does cut through the humidity, they won't blow away and get crunched underfoot. The leaf earrings fall to a lovely length of approximately 1.75 inches. Disclaimer: I received these free earrings as a thank you gift for hosting a free jewelry giveawa...

"A profusion of pink roses being ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring." - William Carlos Williams Getting rained on during my summer trip to Longwood Gardens wasn't ideal, but at least it paused long enough to let me capture some beautiful flower photos. Rain drops on roses are lovely, aren't they? And so is the sassy scent of Sheila's Perfume, a pale yellow and bright pink floribunda rose. 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!

Rain has been rampant in Delaware this summer! I sadly haven't had a chance to admire many of the orange daylily blooms up close. Their brilliant pop of color still makes me smile at wild patches when dryly driving by under cover of my car. But what makes me grin even wider is wearing these adorable flower stud earrings by Ildi of Lemone Rouge ! She let me choose any pair of ceramic earrings from her Etsy shop. After much swaying back and forth like leaves in a storm, I decided to go with this cheerful color because my collection was suffering from a drought of orange jewelry. Ildi crafted the star-shaped flowers from fine white clay. The shapes were then baked in a kiln at 1050°C, painted with a shiny glaze, then refired. Last but not least for sensitive ears like mine, she attached them to hypoallergenic surgical steel stud posts. Disclaimer: I received these free earrings as a thank you gift for hosting a free jewelry giveaway. If you think your handmade creations would...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Lyudmila Sizova for submitting the randomly chosen 310th entry. The summer nights are sizzling, so it's time to pull out those little black dresses and go out on the town! One of you sexy ladies will even get to jazz up your night club outfit for free - Mary Ellen of Bunny Burrow Boutique is giving away a $25 gift card to spend on her handmade jewelry and vintage accessories. The elegant earrings above would be a smart choice. Not only am I entranced by the sparkly crackle texture inside the glass beads, but the leverback closures would keep them secure while dancing. Or if clubbing isn't your scene, Mary Ellen also offers plenty of cute jewelry for everyday outfits. I'm still in awe of the variety of animal beads and rabbit charms she's incorporated into her designs. She has such adorable taste! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win jewelry giveaway before 11:59pm EST on July 30, 2013. Be sure to lea...

"You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July" - Firework by Katy Perry I hadn't watched July 4th fireworks in ages, because not even that amount of sparkle is worth sitting in hours of traffic during the summer heat to me. However, this year one of my friends invited me to her neighbor's huge party out in the country and they put on a fireworks show that easily rivaled any I've seen by a professional company! It was dazzling. 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!

"There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before." - Robert Lynd Remember the barn swallow nest I photographed last year? Another swallow family built one just a few feet away under the same staircase this year. The nest is so high up that my camera couldn't spy the baby birds until they were almost big enough to try to fly - now they're soaring all over the place! 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!