I have made a number of videos, which I hope can bring comfort and encouragement through these long days when we are separated from one another. It isn’t easy and I have found that as steady and levelheaded as I believe myself to be, I have all sorts of feelings I’ve not experienced before. For example, the isolation. While I spend a lot of time on my own working, it feels a lot different when you don’t have a choice. Cabin fever, stir crazy, just a couple things that come to mind. What day of the week is it?? Each morning when I wake up I have to search for what day it is, because they all feel the same. My schedule existed according to regular activities on each day of the week and now that doesn’t exist. Well, Valentino is a huge comfort and we will do our best to wait patiently and with humility while the experts are sorting things out, like testing, treatments and vaccine, and hopefully a CURE. Sending love to everyone!!
Valentino travels to Uganda, Africa!
Children everywhere are delighted by the beautiful, brightly colored illustrations in Valentino The Love Bunny and How He Came To Be, and more importantly the message of LOVE!
Read more4th OF JULY CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS AT SANTA BARBARA' S OLD MISSION AND VALENTINO SPREADING THE LOVE!
Hoping everyone enjoyed a safe and fun 2017 July 4th celebration. Valentino made lots of new friends at the Old Mission, Santa Barbara where the annual 4th of July Art Show took place. There were so many talented artists sharing their unique creations with the community and it was one more opportunity to share Valentino The Love Bunny's beautiful message of spreading love. Valentino believes that we are all connected by being on this one planet together and the more love we can share with one another, the more joyful, healthful and beautiful a life we can ALL experience.
"I MADONNARI" ITALIAN CHALK ART FESTIVAL AND VALENTINO AT OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA
In May another exciting opportunity arose with the chance to be a part of the 31st annual "I MADONNARI" chalk art festival. It was a three day festival held on the grounds of the Old Mission Santa Barbara that celebrates the art of street painting with chalk. It benefits the Children's Creative Project, a non-profit enrichment initiative for the local schools. Valentino The Love Bunny sponsored an 8 X 12 foot space with the message of spreading love everywhere he goes. We must never forget that there can NEVER be too much love, ever. Margarita Fairbanks and her team of "Art Angels" headed by Suzan Duval, illustrator of the Love Bunny book series, delivered an inspiring and visually stunning original work for the occasion. Over the three days hundreds of people met Valentino for the first time and learned of his purpose in life, which is to spread his message of love, hope, and joy all around the world. Valentino isn't just for children, older people also love his softness and warmth. Meet Virginia, a beautiful 88 year old lady who was enchanted by him and because Playful Valentino the Love Bunny plush toy looks so life like, she thought he was real. When she held him, she kissed him and fell in love with him and there was no doubt he had to go home with her. There is nothing better than seeing little Valentino bring joy and comfort! Get your own Valentino The Love Bunny book and toys at http://amzn.to/1Sd6wuV and remember....SPREAD THE LOVE everywhere you go!
VALENTINO & THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION "WALK TO CURE ARTHRITIS"
In April, Valentino the Love Bunny was honored to participate in the annual Arthritis Foundation's WALK TO CURE ARTHRITIS. Our friend and Executive Director of the Tri-County region, Michal Wiesbrock, invited Valentino to form a team for the walk and named it Valentino's Love Bunnies. What a special and beautiful day. Over 300 people gathered to support the essential work that the Arthritis Foundation does for the multitude of people living and coping with this painful and debilitating disease. It afflicts people of all ages and thanks to great advances in medicine many are able to lead productive, joyful lives. One such person is this beautiful girl, Lucy Holian who is 8 years old. When she was diagnosed at age 4 with this unfortunate affliction, she couldn't even move. With treatment, she is now living a full life, playing soccer and is the captain of her softball team. It really is a privilege to participate in these kind of events which highlight how people help one another. As Valentino knows, it truly is in giving that we receive, and he encourages everyone to volunteer some time to any worthy cause. It is not about money, it is about connecting with others and making a difference in someone's life, even with a smile! Lucy received a copy of "Valentino The Love Bunny and How He Came To Be" and a super soft Playful Valentino plush toy. We hope they bring her joy and comfort....and remember, spread love everywhere you go!!!
VALENTINO THE LOVE BUNNY MAKING NEW FRIENDS!
We know that Valentino warms people's hearts, but he has made a lot of furry friends as well. Meet "Bon Vie" an adorable girl who was enthralled with Valentino!!!
FUN AT THE NEW YORK TOY FAIR!
Well, it only took 3 years, but finally, in January of this year, Margarita Fairbanks meets the maker of the amazingly soft and beautifully lifelike Playful and Cuddly versions of Valentino The Love Bunny plush toys. Having made the rounds at this huge event (at the Jacob Javitz Center) it was abundantly clear that HANSA Toys International makes the highest quality plush toys available. Each toy is handmade and each hair of the "fur" of the animal is the actual denier (diameter) of a real rabbit's fur, making it just as soft. This is a toy that any plush toy lover would want to include in their collection and is a comfort and joy to young and old alike!
Margarita Fairbanks and Hans Axthelm, owner of HANSA Toys. The link that follows is a video of Hans, himself, and how these gorgeous toys are made! Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/sp1RErzvXgE
You might recognize this adorable orangutan as "Clyde" from the movie Every Which Way But Loose with Clint Eastwood..This is the Hansa double!
HOPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL FROM VALENTINO THE LOVE BUNNY!
Halloween is such a fun time of year for children and adults alike! Trick or Treating and lots of SPOOKY parties...Goblins, Ghosts, Witches and Superheroes taking to the streets and weaving magic spells...Fun for everyone, including a little bunny named VALENTINO! He loves it too and is wishing everyone happy and safe celebrations....
Dracula Valentino, Rasta Valentino and Viking Valentino...All of Valentino's costumes are from Petco in size small!!
