fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

I've been scouting the hydrangea bushes as they slowly sprout leaves this spring. There's still not a flower bud to be seen, but I don't have to wait any longer to enjoy the pretty petals. A beautiful blue hydrangea bangle bracelet bloomed in my handmade jewelry collection, thanks to Sarah of Modern Flower Child . I almost floated away like a dandelion seed when the flower bracelet arrived. Sliding it on my wrist didn't even weigh me down! Although her Etsy listings describe her crystal clear resin jewelry as lightweight, I was still surprised how light it was for such a chunky fashion bangle. Want to grow a real flower bracelet for free in your own summer wardrobe? Make sure you plant your entries in Sarah's jewelry giveaway before June 5, 2014! Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

The wild winter weather of 2014 better not dismally effect butterfly season this summer! Butterflies don't usually flutter freely in Delaware until June, but I couldn't wait that long to search for the wondrously winged insects on Etsy. These beautiful blue butterfly hair accessories soared out of the swarm by being the most unique. 1. Metallic Blue Butterfly Hair Pin by Cetonia Designs 2. Blue Scale and Rhinestone Butterfly Hair Fork by A Case of Random 3. Leather Blue Butterfly Headband by Katz Little Factory 4. Blue Morpho Butterfly Leather Hair Slide Or Barrette by Beadmask Disclaimer: This post was inspired by Beadmask , a wonderful blog sponsor that pays for advertising space and featured listings like above. If you think your items would fit in with my whimsical ramblings, please consider supporting my blog and becoming an advertiser .

Don't be blue that the holiday season is over! Branch out to 7PM Boutique , WireQueen Jewelry , Life is the Bubbles , oBo Creations and Beadmask for wonderful winter jewelry instead. 7PM Boutique's blue topaz bracelet is a cool accessory, especially for those winter babies born in December. The birthstone is known for its soothing properties - it'd be great to wear to a work presentation or a first date that has butterflies bumbling around in your stomach. The blue stone is encased in 925 sterling silver links that measure 25.82 x 12.76 x 7.36 mm. Entire bracelet measures 8 inches and closes with a toggle clasp. Wirequeen Jewelry's blue flower brooch will add a touch of soft to a business woman's sharp tailored suit. Or if you're not required to wear professional work clothes at your job, use it to embellish your winter jacket like I do! The white flower is trimmed with blue and glitter. A pearly center surrounded by a decorative golden circle adds a v...

December is off to an unseasonably warm start in Delaware, but I'm not complaining! Living vicariously through Rosity of Pillows Galore N More 's cool collection is enough for me. Blue gift ideas from the Saturday Night Specials Etsy team include a turquoise stacking ring, peace crane decoration and my ice fairy ornament . Treasuries shared by readers between December 4 - December 10 Blue Ice Snow White Winter Christmas Delicate Tis the Season Happy December! Let's Dance with Joy!! Golden Holiday Deck the Tree For Charity Beads, Baubles and Blooms Color For The Holidays Wish List Blue Christmas Gifts for Everyone on Your List Winter Solstice, the Longest Night

"Blue thou art, intensely blue; Flower, whence came thy dazzling hue?" - James Montgomery 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 closed. Congratulations to the randomly chosen 16th commenter, Wendy Hatton! Winter has barely begun, and I'm already dreaming of warm weather and greener grass. If you're feeling the same, don't despair - you could be the one to win this rare blue mushroom that won't decay or freeze, no matter the season. Meet Crystal, an adorable ooak needle felted mushroom by Shana of Woodland Whimsy . The white portions of Crystal's exterior are sheep's wool and the blue portions are hand dyed alpaca fiber. Her skeleton is needle felted fiber fill. I have no skills in creating three dimensional art, so the sculptures and art dolls by my fellow Fantasy Artists of Etsy amaze me. Although Shana has been crafting practically her whole life, needle felting is a new technique to her. Last year her mom bought alpacas and their fleece encouraged her to learn how to felt. Needle felting is a process that uses a special barbed needle to mesh the fibers to...

This unique druzy geode necklace by Jessica of esoteric HEARTS now sparkles up from the depths of my treasure trove, courtesy of a jewelry giveaway on the We Know Stuff blog. Although I own a small collection of decorative rocks, this is my very first piece of geode jewelry! Silver wire clutches the blue geode to a silver plated chain with a lobster claw clasp. The back of the stone is as natural as if it had just tumbled ashore from the bottom of the sea. The front is flat and polished to a smooth shine. The inside glitters with the raw crystals that took millions of years to take shape. Amazing, right? Jessica designs for the not so ordinary girl. Several of her extraordinary pendants feature drusy quartz gemstones, from citrine to my favorite, amethyst. She is also very inspired by the beach. In addition to nautical necklaces and earrings, she offers shell and starfish hair accessories. Many of her pieces would make fantastic additions to mermaid costumes .

Happy birthday to the September souls out there! If you don't have an answer when asked what you want as a gift this year, go window shopping at Etsy. Behind your gleaming screen, you'll find glorious gemstone jewelry featuring the September birthstone, including these sparkling blue sapphire earrings. 1. My Denim Earrings AAA Mystic Blue Quartz, Blue Sapphires, Stardust, and Sterling silver by Serendipity by Sam 2. Blue Sapphire Sterling Silver Hoop Dangle Earrings by 2 Trick Pony 3. Sparkle-Finest Kyanite, Burma Blue Sapphire, Ultra Sparkle Mystic Moonstone, Fine999 and Sterling Silver Earrings by Vanini Design 4. Petite Blue Sapphire Earrings 14k Gold Fill by Maggie McMane Designs

If you haven't captured a clue from my Jem Costumes , Strawberry Shortcake Treats , and Flashback Pillows finds, I'm truly an 80s child, and a geeky one at that. I grew up watching The Smurfs cartoon, and occasionally still catch it on the Boomerang network. I collect the cute little blue figurines. I even had the amazing opportunity to gape at Peyo's original Smurfs illustrations when I visited the Belgian Comic Strip Center in Brussels back in 2002. So smurf yeah, I will be seeing the new Smurfs movie even though it may turn out to be a disaster that would make even Gargamel wince. I'll be waiting until it comes out on video, though. There are too many other enticing film releases this summer! I don't possess Greedy's money tree that grows golden goodies and can't afford that many theater tickets. I can, however, freely explore the Etsy village. I whistled that familiar tune, and these adorable hats came smurfing along. It may be too hot to wear them now...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to the randomly chosen 88th commenter, Natalie! Summer is right around the riverbend! Emma of Hell0Z0mbie is giving away a blue bubble memory wire coil bracelet for one reader to hold the essence of water near, even when everyday life gets in the way of swimming and sunbathing. This fun accessory features a mix of tiny sky blue seed beads, baby blue glass pearl beads (vegan/cruelty free), teal colored beads and large semi-transparent "bubble" beads. The wire will take about three laps around a wrist, depending on circumference. The design is incredibly durable and easy to wear, as there is no fussing with a clasp. Although Emma specializes in memory wire coil bracelets, she creates other brightly beaded jewelry, including earrings and necklaces. She also carries handmade paper goods, tags and embellishments for scrapbooking. How To Enter The Giveaway Giveaway is open worldwide. I will be pulling a number from my random.org ...

I'm still marveling over the newest member of the Neighborhood Watch in my parents' community. After taking my mom out for an early birthday dinner, we drove by a small figure perched near the end of a driveway. At first, I thought someone had moved a lawn ornament to mow their grass and forgotten to put it back. So I implored my Ogre to turn around, and he crept the Charger slowly forward. I've seen herons, but never this close up and so far from water - the nearest pond is a few miles away. I usually carry a camera now, thanks to Wordless Wednesday , so I captured a few photographs. He blinked once or twice, but seemed unruffled by the flash. That may have been because he was sleeping, but I prefer to daydream he was highly trained as a sentinel, like the Queen's Royal Guard. Today I waded through Etsy in search of his kin. These unique birds certainly have inspired many lovely handmade creations. 1. The Blue Heron Cotton and Burlap Pillow Cover by JolieMarche 2. B...

Midsummer's eve is approaching rather swiftly and the world is abuzz with magic. Janice of TangoCatGems has captured the feeling in an enchanting treasury and my fairy magnet of Ashley and her butterfly friend is part of it! Flit to Treasury West quickly - this collection wafts away on Friday, June 11 at 3:18pm. PS: If the treasury expires before you're able to view it and you want to see a featured item, add ".etsy.com" after the username (they're on the second line under the picture, left of the price - and if they're hard to read, right click on the image so you can view it full size) and you'll be magically whisked away to their shop. For example, you'd type my username, "aquariann," then ".etsy.com" and abra ca dabra: aquariann.etsy.com

I had such a busy weekend frolicking about (first a wedding in Westminster, Maryland and then a comic book convention in Fairfax, Virginia) that I nearly missed this absolutely gorgeous treasury by Karen of Mystic Wynd . Flutter to Treasury West quickly - her collection of brilliant purples, blues and teals whirls away on Monday, May 3rd at 3:00pm. PS: If the treasury expires before you're able to view it and you want to see a featured item, add ".etsy.com" after the username (they're on the second line under the picture, left of the price - and if they're hard to read, right click on the image so you can view it full size) and you'll be magically whisked away to their shop. For example, you'd type my username, "aquariann," then ".etsy.com" and abra ca dabra: aquariann.etsy.com