Little modeling faces for 2015 will be selected. Entries now being accepted...

Bella Sera Boutique is having a modeling contest. We have announced it online already but wanted to mention it here. We will be choosing our boutique modeling faces for 2015.  If you would like your child to be featured on our blog as a model and are willing to model our items in photographs that we feature on our sales sites and other sales sites or venues such as, but not limited to: printed circulars, newspapers, magazines (both digital and print), gift cards, business cards, web sites (etsy, ebay, blogs etc,) flyers, posters and other promotional material, please submit 3 photographs of your child for selection. Winners will be awarded the winning photographs by our digital artist and will also be sent a complete digital photo pack for parental use. You may be asked to work with a local photographer or an online digital artist. If you have more than one child you would like to be considered, please submit 3 photos of each child for consideration. We already have many entries. Entries will be accepted through December 31st, 2014. Winners will be notified on or about January 1st, 2015. A digital artist who is now working with our boutique has agreed to do a Christmas photo of our two winners. Winner will be announced and that digital photograph will be posted here on the blog on January 16th, 2015. If you are a parent who has facebook, and give your consent, if you child is a winner, we will post the photo to your timeline on January 16th, 2015 when winners are announced. As mentioned previously, we already have many entries and are hoping for many more. 2 grand prize winners will be featured. Parents of these 2 winners will have full access to use of the digital photos the digital artist completes. If your child is not chosen as one of our two grand prize winners, you may still be contacted about modeling our items in the coming year. The complete digital photo package will be awarded only to the 2 grand prize winners.  Please submit questions and photographs to: BellaSeraBoutique@comcast.net  Deadline for photo submission for entry is December 31st, 2014- 11:59 pm PST. ( No late entries will be accepted or considered) 

Christmas, Jack Skellington, treasury, cupcakes and party's all in one? Yes! It is true!

Christmas in July with a twist?

Chelsea from Etsy store: Your Little Cupcake, member of Etsy Kids team, came up with her own twist on the Christmas in July theme. It seems Chelsea feels that we are celebrating out of order. I think her take on things was unique. Chelsea included a poem that she composed with her treasury. You can read it for yourself by clicking on the treasury picture that she made.

Chelsea featured my custom Jack Skellington Halloween style necklace in her treasury, second from top left.

She also featured beautifully made items from many other EtsyKids Team members.
EtsyKids team members create the most amazing items for children. If you are looking for unique handmade children's items, I encourage you to visit EtsyKids team on etsy.com.

(Click the EtsyKids picture to be taken to EtsyKids on Etsy)

You can find many ready made items as well as a few designers who will make custom ordered items to suit your needs.

Chelsea, curator of this unique treasury, is also a very talented designer. She makes wonderfully designed cake and cupcake designs as well as many other party items. Looking for something unique to decorate your party table?

(Click picture to be taken to Your Little Cupcake on Etsy)

Look no further than Your Little Cupcake on Etsy. I believe you will find what you are looking for.  At Your Little Cupcake you will find a myriad of fantastic party designs. If you don't see what you are looking for, send Chelsea a message. She happily accepts custom orders.

I extend my thanks to Chelsea for including my crochet beaded Jack Skellington accessory necklace in her unique treasury. I thank you, my faithful readers, for visiting my blog today. I encourage you to visit Chelsea's store on Etsy. She will help you throw a party that you will be proud of!


   

JHN

Yankee Doodle Pageant Winner and custom made winning accessories!

Last weekend, Carrollton, Georgia was the site for the exciting Yankee Doodle Dandy Pageant Extravaganza of 2014.  This is a well known pageant in Georgia, so it was no surprise that there were many contestants. The judges noted (*facebook-official pageant site) that they were very impressed with the level of competition at the Yankee Doodle Dandy Extravaganza. They published comments that the competition was so good that they had a difficult time judging the pageant. Judges further noted that the competition was so outstanding that they didn't have one single child competing who was not good enough to win. Judges believed that all contestants were superb and there was not one division that had a child stand out, because they were all that good! 

Pageant officials posted on another venue that the judges had a difficult job ahead of them. I don't know anyone who attended the pageant that wouldn't attest to that being true. All the competitors were beautiful. The patriotic theme was indeed celebrated.

This was a double crown pageant, so competitors could win Queen, as well as several other titles.

While Bella Sera Boutique wishes to congratulate all competitors, there is one special little lady that certainly "stood out" in the judges eyes and deserves a special commendation: Overall Queen in the 0-4 age group was little Miss Kennedy.

She wowed the judges, impressively winning not just overall queen but also 1st Runner Up, Photogenic Winner, Swimwear Winner, Best Patriotic Wear, and Early Entry! Now folks, that is impressive, to be sure. Here are but a few of Miss Kennedy's lovely feature pictures:

Bella Sera Boutique was a proud sponsor of Miss Kennedy, designing some of her pageant accessories. Kennedy wore them well, just as she did her beautiful overall queen's crown. Have you ever seen such a beautiful little winner? What a pretty smile!
Kennedy wore custom made accessories by Bella Sera Boutique proudly. Look how pretty she looked in her patriotic custom headband and bow. Kennedy's Mama was a happy customer and like her, I couldn't be happier that little Kennedy took the crown and other impressive titles to boot!

It was a pleasure to work with the beautiful little Kennedy and her sweet mother for this pageant. Though this was not Miss Kennedy's first pageant, I am certain that the pageant world will be seeing a lot more of this little doll. She is sure to win more pageants!
I commend your impressive pageant success Miss Kennedy.
May today's success be the beginning of tomorrow's achievements. Congratulations!

**If you are reading about Kennedy's success and are interested in accessories or a custom order for your child, feel free to contact to me. I list only a few things online in my Etsy store and occasionally, on Ebay, but I make and sell many more items. I make accessories and clothing for other occasions besides pageants too! I do many things, to include beaded socks, crocheted items, bows, headbands, handpainted items and much, much more. If you have questions or ideas, contact me. I will do all I can to design something especially for you.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

 

4th of July socks for little girls...pageant or picnic! Other colors & styles available. Custom made to order.

While you are shopping for summer wear, why not consider a custom order for a pair of boutique beaded socks or perhaps a handmade hair bow? (photos available) Ask me about socks or bow just for you. (I can match most any outfit)

 Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
 

I'm Going to

"Hut, Hut" Etsy Kids team gets busy showing off their football season items with a dashing treasury display of football items

"18, 35, 73, Hut! Hut!"
Pay attention now readers! The Etsykids team is off to a fine start this season and believe me, they are certain winners! Their shops are filled with handmade items certain to fulfill most the needs and wants of any
football fan. Looking for football accessories! Yes! You will find it on Etsykids team. How about items to keep you warm while watching, blankets, pillows, signs, pins, jewelry, the list goes on and on. Don't see what you are looking for? Many Etsykids team members happily take custom orders.
Etsykids team items can be found on Etsy, of course. Make them part of your football season and the remainder of your year as well. Look to Etsykids team first whenever you are shopping. It is a team you can depend on.

I was recently honored to have one of my items featured on a fantastic etsykids team treasury.
This particular treasury by Etsy kids team member E. Lee from NotJustCraftSupplies, was both terrific and festive. Here treasury theme was: 

The Way to a Man's Heart - Football

My handmade item is the Crochet Team Jersey Bottle cozy. I have taken the liberty of drawing a red square around it so it can be more readily noticed. This is the perfect football team or sports team accessory.  It can be made in nearly any color combination. It is also really nice as a room decoration, shelf sitter or even hanging from a bulletin board. 

The items in this treasury are perfect for this football season. I especially love the pennant shown on the bottom row. I also think the football pillow would be a welcome addition to any boys bedroom, family room or "man cave." Don't stop at this treasury though. Head on over to Etsy to see the other Etsykids team items for the football lover in your life. Lots of must have items to be sure.  

You football enthusiasts know the bowl games are now completed and very shortly it will be time for the Super bowl. If you are like my family, you can hardly wait for the Super Bowl festivities to begin.
Etsykids team members make lots of sports themed items as well as all sorts of other festive items for the remainder of the year. If you are looking for quality items on Etsy, you won't want to leave without looking over the Etsykids team listed items. I am certain you will find something special just for you. To find Etsykids team members fantastic items, search Etsykids team on the Etsy web site. You'll be glad you did. 

If you are interested in a bottle cozy in your favorite team colors, contact me. I would be happy to make one for you. They also make terrific gifts. I happily accept custom orders for this item.  

Thank you ELee  from NotJustCraftSupplies for including my item in your treasury. Thank you Etsykids team for allowing me to be a member of your fine team. 

Finally, thank you, my readers, for stopping by my blog today. I hope you will head on over to Etsy and take a look at the many wonderful items the Etsykids team members have to offer. 

Kassie

Tip: How to tell if eggs are still fresh, plus more egg tips

Kitchen tip: How to test for egg freshness

We have been teaching the kiddos at our house to cook. Egg freshness was addressed. I thought my readers might also benefit from this information.
Have you ever been ready to bake or maybe add eggs to a recipe and wondered if they were fresh or not? They really do go bad. It is amazing how many people think eggs will keep in the refrigerator for months and months. Old eggs are more susceptible to salmonella and other bacteria, so it is important to know if your eggs are fresh before consuming them. Many eggs, however, are completely safe to use after their expiration date.
Here is a few quick and simple ways to determine if your eggs are fresh enough to use.

The Float Test:
(I learned this one from my grandmother many years ago)
What you need:
1. eggs
2. bowl or pan deep enough to hold enough water to cover eggs
3. cold tap water

Image Source

What to do:
1. Fill a bowl or pan with enough cold tap water to cover your eggs completely.
2. Place the eggs in the bowl (in the water) and use the following tips to determine freshness:
* If the egg stay on the bottom, lying on its side, the egg is very fresh.
* If the egg is beginning to stand up a little or bobs up and down just a bit, it is not as fresh and should be used as soon as possible.
*If the egg balances on its smallest tip, with the large tip reaching for the top, it’s probably close to three weeks old. Still fresh but use immediately.
*If your egg floats to the surface, discard it. DO NOT USE. This means your egg is not fresh.

The Slosh Test:
This is another method of egg testing. It may come in handy if you do not have the means for doing the float test.
** Hold the egg up to your ear and shake gently. If you hear a sloshing sound, the egg would not be considered fresh. You should discard.
*If you hear a nothing, the egg is likely fresh and considered to be safe for use.


Surface Test:
Crack the egg on a flat surface, like a plate.
Observe the yolk and egg white (albumen)
If the yolk is "sitting high" and is slightly globe shaped, and the egg white is gathered closely around it, then the egg is considered fresh.
If  the egg white is transparent but still gathered close and the yolk is sitting a bit lower, (see picture) then the egg is a bit older, but still considered safe to eat.
If the yolk is flat and the egg white is runny (almost like water), then the egg is bad.

Image source

Tips for storing eggs:
*Eggs should be stored in the refrigerator.
*Eggs should be stored small end down in their original carton.

What are the best eggs to buy?
Grade AA eggs are best and are the highest grade available for purchase. They usually cost a bit more than other grades, but may be a good choice because of their high quality and longer shelf life.
Partial Information source: WikiHow

Now another little tip I learned from my grandmother years ago. We often kept boiled eggs in the refrigerator in an unused carton that looked just like the eggs that had not yet been cooked. Yes! You guessed it! There were a few times fresh eggs were mistaken for boiled and we had a bit of a mess. There is a simple way to tell if an egg is boiled or not. Simply spin it on a flat counter. (Be careful and don't get too close to the edge!) Watch it closely! If the egg spins smoothly, it is hard boiled. If the egg wobbles, it is fresh!

We are a homeschooling family. I am sure I will have many more subject or ideas to share here from time to time. I hope my sharing benefits some of you as well.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.