DEC ABS and Other Stuff

Sleeping Beauty by Erté, 1983

26 1/2" x 33" Serigraph

About the Art

Erté's characteristic style found a new and enthusiastic market in the 1960s, and the artist responded to renewed demand by creating a series of colorful lithographic prints and sculpture.

 

His taste for the exotic and romantic, and his appreciation of the sinuous and lyrical human figure is felt in all of his art.

 

 

Mom and I are participating in this month's ABS Challenge - Sleeping Beauty.  We had planned on sawing out a pendant and making beads to go with this wonderful painting, but mom's right hand was not cooperating (had steroid injection earlier this week).  I told mom no sawing until the first of the year, let's give you a break.  So, we used one of our necklaces that was perfect for this piece.

The idea for the pendant - maybe next year we can saw it out and make the necklace.

"Winter Slumber"

This is what we are using for our piece for the December ABS Challenge.  The lampwork beads are made by us and the beaded beads are from Kristen, My Bead Journey. Back in December 2010 Kristen and I had a bead swap and this is what came from that swap.  We did use red glass beads for accents and a Sterling Silver clasp.

A close up of the focal.

A close up of our beads and the beads that Kristen made.

"Winter Slumber"

So, that is our piece for December's ABS Challenge.

I had to share this wonderful gift I received from one of the ladies I work with.  I love, love, love this idea!  She created the card and then in the Starbucks hot holder she put a Starbucks gift card - wonderful idea and I am going to have to swipe it for next year :)

A few months ago mom read this book for work and was telling me about it.  I asked if I could borrow her book, earlier this week, to read.  I am on my second read through - love it. 

"Meet Fred.

In his powerful new book The Fred Factor, motivational speaker Mark Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who passionately loves his job and who genuinely cares about the people he serves. Because of that, he is constantly going the extra mile handling the mail – and sometimes watching over the houses – of the people on his route, treating everyone he meets as a friend. Where others might see delivering mail as monotonous drudgery, Fred sees an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those he serves.

We’ve all encountered people like Fred in our lives. In The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn illuminates the simple steps each of us can take to transform our own lives from the ordinary – into the extraordinary. Sanborn, through stories about Fred and others like him, reveals the four basic principles that will help us bring fresh energy and creativity to our life and work: how to make a real difference everyday, how to become more successful by building strong relationships, how to create real value for others without spending a penny, and how to constantly reinvent yourself.

By following these principles, and by learning from and teaching other “Freds,” you, too, can excel in your career and make your life extraodinary. As Mark Sanborn makes clear, each of us has the potential be a Fred.The Fred Factor shows you how." from Amazon.

The Seven "B's" of Relationship Building

I plan on going to Barnes and Noble to buy my own copy so I can mark it up as much as I want to.  A lot of what Mark Sanborn says in the books is from what I learned during my time as a squad leader in the military.  I really think if you are in a leadership position you should read this book.  Though I highly recommend this book for everyone.

Just so you know I am not being paid to talk about this book.  I think it really hit home this week reading it that we all should be a "Fred". 

What is funny - I finished reading the book Thursday night and started reading it again.  Well, Friday morning, when I was waiting to get coffee from McDonald's (every morning I get coffee from there) the girl actually took a minute to take a spoon and stir the cream and sugar before she put the lid on.  It was just a little thing, but it really hit home, she did a Fred.

Sleepy Creek after the snowfall

Mom and I are heading out to Sleepy Creek Vineyards for the day.  We have not been there since our show back in September so we are in Sleey Creek withdrawal plus we hope to see Joe and Dawn too.

Have a wonderful day!