Google knows everything

Recently I've been searching the internet with my old standby search engine, Google. Google is where we mere mortals find answers for everything under the sun. The internet knows almost everything right? However the truth is, all those questions are not answered by a machine they are answered by the people who add content to the Internet. This blog is devoted to answering the two questions that I couldn't find on the inter-webs so far this year. 

Now read on as I magically feed the Google Gods with my pithy knowledge so that somebody else can easily access answers to these allusive questions.  Brace yourself for important new content being added to the world wide web. (Oooh ahhh)

The first item:

I had plans for New Year's, a wedding and a party. Finally I would be awake for the New Year.

I had the perfect party dress, too tight shoes and cute underpants everything I would need to make it through the night. What I didn't realize was that the one bra in my collection that would work with my perfect dress... squeaked, a loud squeak coming from my girls.

Squeaking at a New Year's party was one thing but I was not ready to be the squeaking boobs gal while my friend spoke her vows! in a last minute panic I Googled but alas not a single answer of how to fix my squeaky bra. I am a "do it yourself" type of girl so I put my thinking cap on. I began to realize that the original lubrication of the underwire had been washed away. My squeaky bra solution? WD-40? No.  I decided to try mineral oil and it worked.  I took a few drops and put it dabbed it onto the area where it was squeaking was and rubbed it into the wire (sort of a mini massage)  and eventually the squeaking stopped hallelujah. If you don't have mineral oil on hand you could use baby oil. 

Second item (completely and utterly unrelated):

I bought a new used car and just like every used car I have owned the moment I got home the intense cleaning began. I must erase all evidence of a prior owned, fix and replace as many interior items as possible. New seat covers and new floor mats. Sadly I can not tell you a fast way to remove perfume smell from your car. I steam cleaned it, sprayed her down with alcohol, left buckets of vinegar, replaced the Cabin air filter and I still smelled like a French whore for 3 months.

You can replace most owner manuals on Ebay but my main issue with my new car was I had no jack in my Scion XB. They were difficult to find on Ebay and expensive. Just when was ready to break down and buy one the manual arrived in the mail.

Do you have a Scion XB with no jack? Are you looking in the right place? I did have a Jack what I didn't have was a location. If your 2004-2006 Scion XB has a Jack it is under the drivers seat. It is not loose, it is ratcheted into place, get a flash light and look for it. Yippee

You are welcome ;)

Google knows everything

Autism and more

 

 

How do you know if you have autism?

Sometimes I think I might. I often wonder how someone expects me to respond to something they are telling me, like if I should be happy or sad or sympathetic. I can struggle with a telephone conversation because I can't see that persons face and therefore do not know exactly how to judge and react to what they are saying to me. I frequently say inappropriate things and often just talk incessantly just out of nervousness. I am awkward and anxious.

I often find myself wondering what you are saying to me because I have spent the last few minutes staring at the way your brow wrinkles and how it makes the shape of an animal and that reminds me of the way that animal smells and that reminds me of the fragrance of the dye that some fabrics from India have and that reminders me that I wanted to go to the fabric store so I could start working on "x" but I can't start working on "x" until I finish "w" and... oh crap what were you just saying to me? 

Okay maybe it's not Autism but all those ads on tv imply that it is VERY common in today's children ( 1 in 4 or 1 in 100, or something in between) so doesn't that mean yesterday's children, now adults are running about undiagnosed? Is that just okay since they are ALL presumably on anti-depressants by now? Get the facts about Autism.

Side note: When I was a kid I struggled in school for years and I took a lot of tests and saw many a counselor to prove that I was not in fact a Mongoloid but a intelligent kid that had difficulties learning, years and more tests later and I was told I had CAPS and with some training school became easier to negotiate although I never challenged myself. Public school was like a job a did to prove I wasn't an idiot and nothing more.  I can only assume that what was once called CAPS is now is labeled CAPD, central auditory processing disorder. Could your kid have CAPD?

I was recently told by an ENT doctor that I couldn't have had CAPD because I "spoke just fine", I think that it is sad that he maybe ruining kids lives.

Soapbox: If your kid is bouncing off the walls from being overstimulated, having I hard time memorizing, sounding out and spelling words, difficulty following directions, distracted by noise (static, music,tv) you might want to look into CAPD testing before someone wants to put your kid on ADD med’s because he "speaks just fine" and why bother with testing. Of course I am not a doctor nor a parent, I am just saying to remember you are your child's only advocate so do your research!

Well I kinda lost my way, funny how your emotional baggage can steer you off course.
Seriously if you are an adult with Autism please chime in with the answers to these questions:
Did you know you had Autism?
What is your creative outlet?

© Catherine Carr

© Catherine Carr

I almost forgot
ART UPDATE: Lots of Original Artworks from the Vault for sale at *clearance prices Here

AND I finally have started an email list for special people, that's you and I promise no more than 12 emails a year and filled with fantastic news and special sales, sign up Here

* Also known as "please get them out of my house"

As always my apologies to the English language

Cathy <3

Autism and more

How to Ship a OOAK Fine Art Doll

Recently someone asked how I ship my OOAK dolls and I thought I would share it with you after realizing there is not much information on this subject floating about the inter-webs.

So here we go
How to Ship a Fine Art Doll by Catherine Carr
(PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT a shipping expert, this is just what has worked for me.)

When I ship art dolls, I usually get or make a box close to the same size as the doll. Then I stand it up in the box and look to see where it will need support when it is being tossed about in the post. Support every thing. I bubble wrap and stuff paper so nothing will be jostled.

I add extra bubble pack or paper to my box where the doll needed to be supported.

I tape this box shut and mark instructions on it on how it should be opened.
(***If you are shipping somewhere rainy or snowy you might want to cover this smaller box in plastic just on the off chance it is exposed to the elements.***)
Then I get a box that the smaller box can fit into while having at least 3-5 inches of space all the way around it.

This "free space" is filled with packing peanuts or paper so that the smaller box never touches the larger box.

Give it a little shake,
give it another shake,
nothing should be moving.
EVER.

Art Dolls are delicate, postal employees... not so much.

Tape your box shut. Tape all edges.
Mark the box "This side up", "Fragile" and "Handle with Care" then off to post. I don't care for UPS I believe they are too rough on my packages.  

Always insure! You have put in too much time and money into your One of A Kind Art Doll, if something arrives broken you want to have that insurance.

(***If the piece is exceptionally fragile or if you are fearful to ship, use a art handler, they are expensive but worth it!***)

I hope this helps, feel free to comment with your art / doll packaging tricks.
Cathy :)
-------------------------------------------------------------
What the heck is OOAK? ONE OF A KIND
What's a Art Doll? You can see some of my Art Dolls here
and even more info at the National Institute of American Doll Artists

How to Ship a OOAK Fine Art Doll

And the winner is...

Well today is a SUPER crazy day but I am still going to find time to announce a winner. Two actually (one for each shop) and thank you all so much for participating, I wish I could give everybody their favorite item but alas I have not won the lottery and continue to be unemployed :(

So lets get on with it 

That's right Cindy of Ohio and Rebekah of Nottingham, you two are winners of fabulous prizes!!!
I will be messaging you shortly.  TA DA!!

Thanks again everybody for playing my game now its back to work. I am in the EX EX show this Saturday and hopefully my stuff will be done and fit for public veiwing.

Fingers crossed and hands tired.
Cathy :)

See more stuff for sale HERE
Come to the Show

And the winner is...

The Deal

Okay here is the deal: You l@@k at my Esty pages and <3 some of my goodies (the things you like) then next Monday I will choose one lucky person who will receive that beloved item FOR FREE.
Yup free, just call me crazy Bob.

I need more people seeing and buying my stuff and you like getting something for free right? And of course you love art, well don't you?

So find me on Esty add me to your favorites and your circle if you like and feel good that your helping an artist out and maybe get some swag in return. Link to my shop here and here. 
Also I will be posting some NEW Halloween stuff midweek so check those items out too.
See ya next Monday when I announce the weenier :)
Cathy



no time for proofy readin, I got things to do.

The Deal

DAS BLOGGIN

lonelysandwich

I started blogging in hopes that I could blab about my art and find others like me. “My people” I call them. If you are my friend you most likely fall into this highly desirable category. Desirable to me that is. Being the artsy crafty type sometimes I find it difficult to connect with the “normal” people. I brush this off, telling myself that most people are simple and hopefully the will not breed. Other days I just wish I could crawl into a bohemian dog pile that feels like home.

I have said it before, Language in not my friend. I am a product of the public schools system and I am reminded of this fact daily. I can not spell. I can not multiply. Without a computer and calculator I appear to be an idiot. I consider myself only functionally literate. At least I am not normal.  Yet here I am trying to communicate with text. I giving up on the art talk today. I think to know me is to love me or to be violently repelled by me.

Keeping it short cause my shoulder is angry. 

Finally finished the Witch

Look I did my chart on line. What does it mean?

DAS BLOGGIN

eBAY

Making with the Ebay for the holidays. PLEASE have a look at my current Auctions ( you can even bid if you want to)
Halloween Black cat ALL proceeds are all going to my local Espanola Valley Humane Society and
Halloween Jack in the Sack with most of the proceeds going to straight to paying my ebay bill.

Now get to it people.

I will post a REAL blog soon, really I will.
Cheers
Cathy :)

eBAY