Second Star to the Right: February 2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Girl's Best Friend

What more can I say that these pix don't already!

I don't know if it is because it's winter and we've been spending more time at home or what, but Giulietta is just all about Jacopo (ya-co-po) these days. He has been dressing up and attending tea parties! The poor dog has been through so much the past year and a half. He developed Glaucoma and lost his vision, then he is a genetically prone to bad teeth and no matter what we do, his teeth are just bad . He had to have 14 removed in January. He still has a good amount of teeth left so, dogs must have lots of teeth. After all this he is doing just fine. If you couldn't see a fogginess in his eyes and just went by his behavior, you'd never know he was blind. He navigates himself around really well. Anyway, he's getting lots of attention these days. Steve and I say if he did have his sight though, she's never get away with the pink tiara on the head!

Monday, February 23, 2009

This Pink Kitty was a special request from my nephew Daniel. I will get it off in the mail to him this week. I remember as a child how much fun it was to get something unexpected sent to you in the mail..I guess it's still fun isn't it! I hope he loves it!!!

Friday, February 20, 2009

What a difference three years makes!!!

This is the first drawing I ever did of my girl...she was just a few weeks old. That's her in her "FUNKY SWADDLE" as we called it. My these two drawings really made it hit home...she's really no baby anymore..sob sob sniffle sniffle!!!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

My Girl/ study 1

I've been working on this drawing for a while. I think it's just as hard to do a drawing of your child as it is to do a self portrait. Maybe even harder because with yourself you don't try so hard to get that "special" little look in the eyes that you see in your child. That is at least my experience. Well...this is as good as this one is going to get but, I intend to do many more. This one was actually intended to be a preliminary drawing to a more "simplified" character study. I'll post that when I've got it resolved.

Paisley Inspired

So, I have been really into patterns and paisley for a while now. Both in my designing and my fine art (Patriziav.blogspot.com). I think after much experimenting I have finally come up with some necklace designs that really represent my style. I have some other shapes I am working on as well but they are all sort of inspired by Persian rugs and prints. I will continue to make more and post them soon on my Etsy shop (Patriziazia.etsy.com) which currently has no items for sale on it. I'm sorta doing a complete overhaul and hopefully I will have items posted soon. I would also like to change them up a bit to work for the little ones!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Lovely baby shower

Yesterday I went to a lovely baby shower for Martha Gallo.

It was at her lovely home here on the North Shore of Staten Island. This was the first time I made all my gifts, including the card. I was a little nervous when she opened them. But...they got a great response so all's good! The Bird Plushy and the baby shoes were all part of my experimenting with felt and stitching. These were made for this gift specifically. I do plan to make some other baby shoe designs, among other things for an upcoming Etsy shop.

Anyway, LOVELY is just the word to describe this baby shower. . It was Tea and wonderful sandwiches, a beautiful salmon, scones and that sort of fare. The shower had a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" feel. It was just delightfully done by Martha and Ann Marie Selzer. Martha is expecting a baby girl named Audrey (hence the B at T feel) very soon and we wish her, her husband Jeff and son Jack all the best!! ps: pretty cupcakes from Rispoli bakery

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Sweet Valentine

It was a very sweet Valentines Day.

Giulietta made these Valentines. I cut the paper into hearts she did the rest.

Then I used them to wrap the gifts.

I surprised my girl with these felt cookies I made her that she can use in her new kitchen and when she plays tea party with her dolls and animals.

I also gave her this heart necklace. I have been practicing making felt things and hope to have some of my own original designs soon.

But, Giulietta just loved them and I loved making them for her.

Papa took us to the one and only Friendly's on Staten Island for a yummy lunch and ice cream and gave Giulietta an orange, purple and pink My Little Pony...she loves it too!

A very Sweet Valentines Day it was.

All of these crafts were inspired by Sewn Sweets on Etsy.com and Cyndyava.blogspot.com! Thanks ladies for making a spark!

Friday, February 13, 2009

My Inaugural Birthday!

My goodness it seemed like the entire country was celebrating my birthday.....oh or were they celebrating the Presidential Inauguration(hehe)! Really, what more could I want but celebrate my birthday with friends and family on such an amazing day. I never much liked that my birthday was on Inauguration day every fourth year...uh...until now. The ETG cafe had a viewing of the actual Inauguration that day at noon, it was wonderful to sit with friends at a local and loved cafe to watch. Later that evening the ETG cafe hosted this party at The Staten Island Unitarian Church. It was so "Community." A little community party, just like our "community organizer" President would like. It was for me a wonderful climatic end to a long road of hoping this day would come. A memorable evening it was, thanks to all!