fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

After exploring the Statuary Vista at Norfolk Botanical Gardens and discovering columbine flowers at the base of a seven-foot tall Cararra marble statue carved by Sir Moses Ezekiel, I literally did my first cartwheel in years. Not only did I get to finally see my first pink columbine flowers in person, but these pretty purple ones were planted beside them. Featured Flower Picks: Bleeding Hearts • Shooting Stars Hydrangea • Crinum Lilies How To Plant Your Own Post for Flower Friday: The only rule to play is that you can only add one link per week! The post doesn't even have to mention flowers, but only ones that do will be eligible for being picked as a feature next week. I will be sharing my flower image on other blog hops, namely Wordless Wednesday , and welcome all family-friendly links from fellow bloggers. Crafters can even link up an Etsy listing or other shop product! But if you want to promote a prize, I suggest adding it to my Giveaway Chest Linky instead...

My flower photo collection keeps growing and growing, thanks to trips to Brookgreen Gardens, Longwood Gardens, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Williamsburg Botanical Garden and anywhere in between where I've spotted fabulous flowers to photograph. Thus an idea sprouted to devote a blog hop to flowers. Since my schedule doesn't usually allow me to participate in multiple hops and I am already attached to Wordless Wednesday, I have decided to feature a flower photo every Friday and use that post to hop around the following Wednesday. Hopefully that will give me more time to return the favor on all comments, as I have been dropping the ball on that lately. For my announcement post, I chose an Aquilegia 'Biedermeier' Columbine flower to share. I drew a similar columbine flower a few years ago and am using the artwork for my blog hop button. Every week I will also be featuring my favorite flower photos from the past week's participants. As an example, I picked all three fl...

After the orange marigolds in my window box wilted during a surprisingly sweltering spring day, I replaced them with purple calibrachoa flowers and have been doing my best not to let them go thirsty. Considering how much water I drink, you think I'd remember to share with the flowers more often! At least the newest flower in my jewelry collection doesn't need to be watered to survive. Jennifer of WXdruid Chainmail grew the chainmaille flower pendant above by interlocking silver and fuchsia jump rings. Wearing the handmade necklace in sunlight helps the anodized aluminum shine even brighter. 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 .

I am delighted to have discovered the wonderful world of blog hops, link parties and directories! Each is a great way to find fun blogs and also increase your own traffic and followers. Blog Hops To participate, most exchanges require that you post their button somewhere on your site and visit at least two others on the list. There are zillions of opportunities out there to spread the blog love! It's not kristinly possible to attend each one every week, but I've gallivanted with the ones below and will again. Invite me to your own blog hop by commenting on this entry and I'll gleefully add your recommendation to my social calendar! Link Parties Link parties are very similar to blog hops, except you share a specific blog post instead of linking up your blog's home page. Many of the parties are themed, so be sure to read the rules before participating! Blog Directories Blog directories allow an author to submit a blog to the category that best fits its ove...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Evangelia Kollia for submitting the randomly-chosen 127th entry. Life is the Bubbles will email you soon with details on how to claim your prize. Handmade cuckoo clocks always fascinate me at faires, but I wouldn't want one squawking in my home. Owning a clock charm that's only sound would be the clang against my wire jewelry rack when put away is another story. Speaking of stories, I have another whale of a tale to tell today. Life is the Bubbles is giving away one magic bottle necklace of choice (up to $18 retail value) to one winner. Check the length of my nose if you think I'm lying! See? You really could win the Pinocchio jewelry above that's filled with glitter and wood shavings. Or let your conscience guide you to pick another pendant from dozens of other delightful designs inspired by Disney movies. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2015/05/etsy-giveaway-jewelry-magic-bottle-necklace.html...

When walking around Washington D.C. in early April, a family of powerful sculptures leapt out at me. Surrounded by thousands of daffodils, the lioness guards her sleeping lion cubs at the entrance to the "pathways of remembrance" in the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. According to the memorial's website, the bronze statues were sculpted by Raymond Kaskey and "symbolize the protective role of law enforcement officers and convey the strength, courage and valor that are hallmarks of those who serve and protect." Have a happy Memorial Day weekend, but don't forget all of the souls who made sacrifices to improve strangers' lives like ours. 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!

Blue skies smiled at me during my vacation to Williamsburg in early May. But that wasn't the only blue I saw - a beautiful bracelet arrived from Daniela of Rica Jewels just before I left. The discontinued design is similar to the Benachi bracelet above, but I couldn't capture mine on camera nearly as well as her current product photo. If you see a tribal bracelet you want to wear from her jewelry shop, better buy it when you can - styles sell out quickly! The metal bracelets are handmade by Rica Jewels' artisans partners in Nepal. Several, such as mine, are crafted from German silver. The vivid colors come from genuine gemstones. The lapis lazuli and turquoise combination has me floating on cloud nine. Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a handmade giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

The very first knockout rose bush bloomed in front of my office a few days ago! My nails beat them to the punch - I applied Jamberry Nails' exclusive Rose wraps the Saturday before Mother's Day after winning a Ruby & Rose gift set from Jam Dandy Nails, a Senior Lead Consultant. In addition to the rose nail art, the beauty box also arrived with two other nail wrap designs (the pink striped accent nail I used is named Dearest), Ruby nail lacquer, nail file, orange stick, toe separators and pumice stone. Jamberry included a bag of peppermint taffy to sweeten the deal, which I shared with my coworkers. Want to be a guest blogger for my Manicure Monday when I don't have new nails of my own to show off? Please fill out the form on my contact page if you're interested in a free feature. Stripes and Roses Nail Art Finds:

I missed the Lewes Tulip Festival this year due to a wonderful Washington D.C. trip . To get my tulip fix, Ogre took me to Bethany Beach to photograph the beautiful tulips in The Martha Jean Addy Flower Garden. I shared my favorite tulip photo from that day on Instagram.

Look at the pretty peacock mandala tapestry that strutted into my yard just in time for summer season! Real peacocks only drift short distances into the air, but this beautiful beach blanket flew all the way from the Tapestries Home studio in India. Despite the double bedspread measuring a whopping 84 x 94 inches, the 100% cotton fabric folds up nicely to fit in a beach bag. My town is starting its annual free summer concert nights at the end of May and this lightweight blanket will be perfect to carry on the walk to the park. Are you also looking forward to spending more time outdoors? You could win this same Indian print in a single bedspread size ... or choose from dozens of other 54" x 85" designs! But you better move your tail feathers fast and enter to win Tapestries Home's Handmade Giveaway before May 20, 2015. Disclaimer: I received this free blanket as a thank you gift for hosting a handmade giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my w...

I constantly doodled eyes in my notebooks when bored in school. The windows to the soul are still the first things I draw when starting a fairy, even though I'm fully aware that if I heeded my Drawing 101 teacher's instructions and sketched body shapes first, my figures would look more anatomically correct. But I can't help it! I'm just drawn to eyes. The shape of my engagement ring even resembles an eye. Imagine my excitement when Milan of SNiS Leather Good offered to send me his beautiful Agnes bracelet in navy blue! I can't stop staring at it. The handmade bracelet is crafted from 100% natural leather. Every piece is cut and carved by hand, so even though any of you can also order the same design, each one will be slightly different. Same goes with all his unique leather creations. He's even giving away a leather tulip wallet for free. (You may need to rub your eyes to make sure you read that right.) Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions on his H...