Update on Romeo...

After visiting the veterinary dermatologist this past Friday, Romeo was visually diagnosed with vasculitis. A biopsy can be done to attempt to confirm this diagnosis, but I can't afford it. 

Another issue is that in doing the biopsy he will lose a significant piece of his ears. Since they have significant deterioration, they would have to, not only take the affected area, but a little of the surrounding as well. He would also lose an entire paw pad wherever the biopsy is done, again, because of the same reason. See, Romeo is a very small dog. He only weighs three pounds. He has a tiny body.

The dermatologist said that the vasculitis may have been caused by his annual vaccinations. It seems that in small dogs the body over-reacts to their vaccines and the result causes blockage of tiny blood vessels resulting in ulceration and death of tissue, which is what Romeo currently has on his ears, wrists, paw pads and tip of his tail. 

I've decided to start treatment to try and cure the ulcerations, swelling and irritations. They may or may not work. It will be trial and error depending upon how he reacts to the medications. The dermatologist has started him off on three. One of the medications alone is $260. Because Romeo is so small the meds need to be compounded and this will take a few days. I went ahead and had the pharmacist do it, but at this point I still don't know how I will pay for them. If these medications do not work, they will change them to stronger immune suppressants. 

I was able to take him to the dermatologist visit thanks to the donations I received on GoFundMe.com and donations made by my sisters co-workers. In total, $200 was raised. 

I will no longer be able to vaccinate Romeo. If I do so, the reaction can start all over again and may be worse next time. I'll have to get his blood drawn for antibody titers to ensure that he is still protected from those viruses. 

His treatment will be continuos until he can be completely healed and it will be pricey. The only reason I resorted to the GoFundMe.com website is because I honestly cannot afford the costs. If you know of someone that can donate $1 or more please please share his link: http://www.gofundme.com/c8gy4o via Facebook, Twitter, Email or through any other social media. I really need the help to keep his condition from getting worse.

Thank you for anything you can do. I sincerely appreciate it.

This is what Romeo's ears look like:

He also has to wear booties until his paws completely heal.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my Romeo's condition.
I hope you are all having a beautiful week!   =)

Apology, RL Update & Romeo's Illness

First, I must apologize for my absence and abandoning my blog. I'm surprised to see I still have any followers left. Thank you for sticking around. It truly means a lot to me.

It's been two years since I last posted and it wasn't intentional. My life drastically changed and I have been dealing with the aftermath. I have been horrible in keeping touch with mini friends and emails. For that I am truly sorry. I created this blog to learn, share and make friends around the world. You have no idea how much I miss miniland and visiting all of your blogs. I hope I can get back into it soon.

The past year has been one of growing, accepting and putting my life in order, or at least trying to...lol. It has also been one of faith and love. Today I am in a better place but I certainly didn't achieve this alone.

Even though I haven't been making minis, I have been doing other crafty things, on and off, as a form of therapy. Maybe I'll start posting those things as a way of keeping my blog current, if anyone is interested?

Okay, now that the first two things have been addressed, on to the third and the one that saddens me the most. For those of you that haven't noticed that adorable pup to the right, he is my heart. He was the only reason I got up everyday and didn't just give up. I had to take care of him. I don't have children so all my maternal instincts are projected onto him. LOL He is 3lbs of pure sweetness. His favorite thing to do is to chase after his ball. He can literally do that ALL day! He also loves to cuddle. In between play, he will come up to me for some love and then go right back to playing. He's so silly!

In January of this year I noticed he had some scabs on his ears and took him to the vet. I don't know where the scabs came from or what caused them. The vet put him on antibiotics and gave me an ointment to put on his ears. It seemed like the ointment was drying the scabs out even more but then it got worse. Creams and antibiotics haven't helped at all. Today his ears look horrible. I suspect they also hurt because he cowers down when I'm cleaning the wounds out. I took him back to the vet two weeks ago because his paw pads were splitting and bleeding. The vet suspects that the two are related. She examined him and did cultures and everything came back negative. Her last diagnosis is that he may have some form of lupus. She also has posted photos of him on a medical website in order to get the opinion of other vets. She has never seen a case like Romeo's and is exploring other options for him.

She recommended I take him to a vet dermatologist and I have already made the appointment, but I don't even have the money for this. The consultation alone is $150. The whole visit will cost anywhere between $400-$800 because he will need a biopsy. I went ahead and made the appointment because I am hoping I can raise the funds needed through donations. I created a "gofundme" page for him explaining his case and I am praying that we will be able to meet our goal and be able to see the specialist. I hate not knowing what is wrong with my Romeo. These days all he does is sleep. He will go days with eating, which I suspect is a side effect of the antibiotics. And he doesn't show much interest in playing, which is extremely rare for him.

I know this is alot to ask, especially since I've been gone for so long, but I would be eternally grateful if you could help me in spreading the word about his donation page (http://www.gofundme.com/c8gy4o). If you are not able to make a donation please, please share the
link. Maybe someone else has an extra dollar or two to spare. I know in today's world things are tough for everyone, but any amount will help me in trying to get Romeo the diagnosis and treatment
he needs.

You can share, donate and read more here: Romeo needs a biopsy.

If you've made it this far, thank you reading this never ending post.

I hope you are all enjoying the summer, and if it's winter in your part of the world, hang in there. We will be getting it soon enough.

Have a beautiful week sweet mini people!

Iris

and we have a winner...

The participants were all listed...

shaken, rattled and rolled...

and out came a winner!

Congratulations to Maria!!! Maria, as soon as you send me your information I will mail out your prize. =)
Thank you to all who participated. =)

Have a beautiful day!!!

Message boards...

A while back at one of the craft stores, in the scrapbooking section, I found cork board and chalkboard card stock. The cork is pretty thin, so I thought I would make a mini board. I really like the chalkboard because you can actually write on it.  =) 

I'd also like to thank everyone who has signed up for my giveaway. I'm especially excited because I LOVE the work that many of you do. You have beautiful blogs filled with your gorgeous creations, and that you are interested in what I have to offer is quite exciting for me.

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to the week.  =)

Who wants a giveawaaaaaay?!?!?!

A few weeks ago I was finally able to do a little something in terms of minis. It isn't much or anything fancy shmancy, but I hope you like it. This is what I'd like to give you in the form of a giveaway. Yippee, my first!!!   LOL  

There are no rules. The only thing I ask is that if you are becoming a new follower you are doing it because you are actually interested in my blog, and not for any other reason. I know sometimes people wonder if you need to have a blog of your own, but for me you do not need to. It seems unfair to put limitations because I've met and shared so many things with people, with and without blogs. Everyone shares the same passion and interest for this hobby, and not having a blog doesn't make you any less likely to share your knowledge, feedback, experience, swaps, gifts, etc. So, come one, come all and have fun. LOL

Now on to what we've gathered here for....lol.......
This is what I have for now. I feel like it's missing something, so if I can I will try and figure out what that is and add it.

Here are a few close ups. These are just a few decorative items. You know how I like old and worn...lol. I tried giving these an old patina look instead of my usual rust. The little white one is some sort of dish I put together and painted white. It still needs a few touch ups, and I'm not sure if I should give it some wear.

Flowers close ups. These you've seen before and some of you seemed to like them so I made these for the giveaway.

And here is a pic of the inside of the buffet table. The paper on the doors is the same as on the top.

I almost forgot, I have to set a date for this thing...lol. I'm not feeling any of the days in June without making this giveaway too short, so I'll go into July. You can participate until July 5th. I'll do the draw on the 6th (my mom's b-day). Good luck!!!   =)

Have a beautiful day!

RL Update...

Hello all you fabulous people!!!  =D

I know it's been some months since I've been around, but believe me, not by choice. It's too much to get into right now, but there have been some serious issues with my BF's family.

I miss everyone and I miss blogging. =(  I'd like to thank those of you that have sent me messages or left comments. No, I haven't jumped off any cliffs....yet. LOL  My poor blog has been abandoned so soon after it's birth, and I feel horrible. Discovering minis and all of you has made me very happy and it's what takes my mind off all the mundane. At the moment I can't do any of it. 1) because the in-laws are occupying the space where I have all my things, and 2) my spirits are down. =(

Anywho, I just wanted to let you all know what's going on and I also what to thank you for not abandoning me. Even though I didn't get a chance to show you much I still have people joining my blog. It makes me very happy to know you're still interested and are willing to give me a chance. I hope I don't disappoint you when I am able to return.

I have been trying to catch up on all your blogs. I have months of many blogs to read, but I am enjoying every minute I can read one of your blogs. I'm awed by all the creativity and how busy everyone has been. I've fallen in love with some many wonderful things I've seen!!!

I hope you all have a week full of love, peace and hopefully some warm sunshine.  =)

Gifts and Waiting for Papa to come home

I really love my latest gift! Rosamargarita over at La Tapatia recently gave away not one, not two or three prizes, but five!  She was celebrating her first blogging year! I can't tell you how small, well-made and adorable these are. Look:

 

 

 Gracias Rosamargarita! Son preciosos y muy especial para mi. Tendran un lugar especial en mi casita.  =)

Here goes the second part of today's title. My BF is away on another business trip and this is what my little Lovebug does every time. He sits at the door waiting for him to come back. As soon as he sees the suitcases come out he knows what's about to happen. He'll hang around the door and take a nap there throughout the day, for about two to three days. That's when he realizes that his daddy won't be back any time soon.  =(

Still waiting......=(

Hola!

It's been a while since my last real post about minis, but not by choice. I've been really sick and only starting to recover. Since I am feeling better I've been catching up on all of your blogs and came across some giveaways I'd like to share.

This one you just have to see for yourself. Carolyn is celebrating 500 followers with a really great gift(s). Her blog is truly one of my favorites and if you don't know her here's your chance. She's also a very lovely person. =)

Mely celebrates her first 100 followers and has a really great giveaway as well. I LOVE her teapots!!!

And Audra has a fun giveaway she's doing. I love how it's all packed and ready to come home from the grocery store. =)

I hope you have time to stop by and say Hi!

I don't think I'll have much to show in terms of mini making. Getting sick kinda ruined my plans and I have family visiting next week, staying until January. Mini making time will be very hard to find. =(   I still have many blogs entries to catch up on and will continue to visit everyone as often as I can. I'm excited to see what you have all been working on!

Have a beautiful week!

Giveaways cont'd...

Ok, so picking up where I left off yesterday, I wanted to share a few more blogs with you that are celebrating giveaways.

Sjoukje is celebrating her first 100 followers. She has a blog I really enjoy. I like her style and the things she makes very much. Please stop by and say Hi if you have a minute. =)

Isabel celebrates one year in the blogging world! If you haven't already seen the mini games she makes run on over, because they're awesome! Of course it's not the only thing she makes but they are just so darn cute! =)

Peggy is also celebrating her followers by offering a giveaway. I think this one is adorable!  =)

It seems there are quite a few one year blog anniversaries going on. Eva too is celebrating one year! This is another blog I really enjoy. Again, because I like her style and what she creates.  =)

Flora tends to add a little story or history with her posts and I love it!!! She is celebrating 500+ followers.

The blogs in today and yesterday's posts are some of the blogs I love to visit, and I hope you have a minute to stop by and visit all of these lovely ladies too. =)

Happy Monday to you all!!!

Blog Giveaways!

Some of my favorite blogs are having giveaways and I thought I'd share.  =)  Enjoy!

I'm a new follower to this blog and absolutely love it. Pia makes the most beautiful plants and flowers. She has a great blog that you shouldn't miss out on. This is her giveaway to celebrate her first 50 followers.

http://lamisminis.blogspot.com/2011/11/50-followers-giveaway.html

Another fave is Caroline's blog. I'm a HUGE fan and fall more in love with what she does on every post! This is her first giveaway and I'm SO excited!  =)

What can I say about Drora? She is such a lovely person and very creative. In celebration of her first year blogging this is her giveaway.

LugArt petit is another wonderful blog. It's just too much cuteness and you know how much I love CUTE!!! LOL 

I hope you guys have fun visiting these beautiful blogs! There are some more to show, but too many for just one post. I'll be back tomorrow!  LOL