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

Hiiiiiiii........

How's everyone doing? Fabulous, I hope!  =D

Well, the BF is back early from his trip and has fixed my computer! Yay me!!! Bad news is, I lost all my files. =(   I don't have any of my pics or any of the printies I've downloaded from various places. I also lost all of the bookmarks of my favorite sites and new sites I had recently discovered. Those are definitely gone because I don't remember any of the web addresses or links. I'm really bummed about that.  =(  Hopefully I'll come across them again in the future and will make sure to make a hard copy of them. I don't have an external drive to save these things on so that's why it's all gone. My mother will be visiting soon and says she will give me the one my sister has. It won't be a loss to her. She's never used it.

I wish I could say I have something to show you during the time of  my computer mishap but, sadly I don't. I've been suffering from horrible headaches on and off that last for days at a time and all I want to do is hide under the sheets. I hope to get back into the swing of things in the next week or so.

I'm excited to be blogging again and thankful you guys didn't give up on me!

Have a beautiful day!!!!

Iris   =)