fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx My parent-in-laws brought a new guest over for Christmas Eve! He's a terrier mix that's usually a terror when it comes to paper ... but he must have known Santa was watching. He behaved like an angel and didn't tear apart a single gift. 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!

Storm clouds have been blocking out the stars more than usual in Delaware. But thanks to meteorologist and jewelry artist, Jennifer of WXdruid Chainmail , I now have a star that is visible on even the foggiest of nights. Instead of making a necklace out of the celtic charm she sent, I added it to a key ring as a zipper pull on my purse so I can see it shine every time I go out. The green and purple jump ring combination is smashing - it reminds me of the Hulk. He might even think twice before trying to destroy this design. The star flower may only measure an inch across, but it packs quite a punch. Disclaimer: I received this free pendant as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your handmade creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

The 2013 Christmas Shop Hop has melted away like Frosty until next year! Below is an Etsy treasury featuring the gift ideas that got the most clicks. Have a Fairy, Merry Christmas! Absinthe La Fee Verte, Green... MadMaidensEmpo... $14.99 ...

"Reindeer are flight and motion and magic in moonlight beyond all recalling, made of Christmas dreams, spun from a place beyond all fearing." - Anonymous Merry Christmas! May your day be filled with love, laughter and light. Although I've been visiting Williamsburg for years, I didn't discover until this December that its Yankee Candle has a massively magical Holiday Park inside where it's Christmas year-round. It even snows every four minutes. 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!

Mermaid ornaments have been slowly swimming into my life since Mermaiden Creations drew my name for a Solstice Swap three years ago. Next Christmas, I am determined to display them properly on a purely pirate-themed tree. That means I must find more treasure to string upon branches. I didn't have to search far with my spyglass for the first. Christine of Beadfreaky sent me a marvelous mermaid bead , handpainted with a waterproof denim glaze. All of her ceramic beads are high-fired for durability. I strung her stoneware bead from wire and embellished it with a seashell charm and beads that remind me of fish net. I've made many Christmas ornaments for gifts, but this is the first I've ever designed for myself. Now I'm flipping my fin for more! Disclaimer: I received this free bead as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your handmade creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

EDIT: Giveaway is officially closed. Congratulations to Gayle Pace for submitting the randomly-chosen 504th entry. The night is at its longest during the winter solstice so there's plenty of time to watch for shooting stars this week. If you wish upon the luckiest star light, you just may, you just might win your choice of any two pairs of earrings from Brittany Bevelle's Hope Starbound Etsy shop. The big stud earrings above feature the planet Jupiter, one of the brightest pinpoints in tonight's sky. Brittany offers an entire collection of stunning space earrings, all handmade from altered pictures taken by the Hubble Telescope (ESA/Hubble). If you'd rather keep your feet on Earth, patterns made from humans instead of nature are also available. From polka dots to stripes, there's several options to add a small bang of color to an outfit. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2013/12/space-earrings-stud-jewelry-giveaway.html" target="_blank...

"The water in a vessel is sparkling; the water in the sea is dark. The small truth has words which are clear; the great truth has great silence." - Rabindranath Tagore I was a bit disappointed I missed the Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens due to the rain, but a sea urchin at the NC Aquarium performed a light show for me instead. I wasn't expecting the sparkles to appear when I took the shot. 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!

Daydreaming of a white Christmas? Branch out to Beadmask , Athenianaire and Life is the Bubbles for winter decor and white jewelry. Beadmask's oak leaf ornaments will turn Christmas trees even greener with envy. The handmade oak leaves were cut and sculpted from quality tooling leather. Each hand-carved shape was painted in silver or white, then sealed with a protective top coat and dusted with ultrafine glitter. The elegant ornaments measure about 3" each. They hang from organdy ribbon ties, looped through silver toned eyelets. The listing is for one leaf, but four are currently available. Winged Art by Athenianaire's framed white butterfly will take your breath away faster than the cold weather. A morpho catenarius argentinus flutters forever in a 6x6" double glass frame that shows both sides of the stunning specimen. The real butterfly wings are pearl white, but shimmer a pale blue in different angles like snow. Eyespots peek through the back of the semi-t...

"And when the day arrives I'll become the sky And I'll become the sea And the sea will come to kiss me For I am going home Nothing can stop me now" - La Mer by Trent Reznor This stunning sky at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was the last I saw of the sun during our weekend away to Kill Devil Hills, NC. Despite the dreary weather, we still had a great time. 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 Nouran Ahmed for submitting the randomly-chosen 855th entry. I've heard snow is glistening in other states already. Have you built a snowman and pretended he was Parson Brown yet? Married or not, you could win a winter woodland jewelry prize package by Karla of Thyme2dream Weddings . Her icy leaf necklace and earring set is a beautiful sight. Both are adorned with sparkling Swarovski crystals and choice of gold or white pearls. The whimsical design is available in silver or gold wire, both of which are nickel-free with non-tarnish coat to keep it shiny for wearers with sensitive skin. Exploring Karla's fantasy jewelry shop is cooler than walking in a winter wonderland. As you go along, princess tiaras, mermaid hair combs and elven ear cuffs are just a few of the fairytale creations you'll encounter. And if that wasn't enough to make you happy tonight - she's offering free worldwide shipping through December ...

"When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused." - Rainer Maria Rilke I walked the boardwalk more times last month than the entire summer. The beach view was so peaceful without all the people in the way. 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!