WS: Blue

I've been sitting here unproductive for a couple of days. It is really hot here. There are conflicting reports. My blog temperature (waaayyy down at the bottom of the blog here) is pretty accurate. It pushed 100 today. Rolling blackouts too, so we've got the AC on 80 degrees..

I've also been staring at the same backgrounds and "elements" for the past two days without progress. So I have been relaxing with the family and trying to stay cool with a popsicle here and there.

This arch is for Wednesday Stampers "blue" challenge. Acrylic paint background, justjohanna circle dot background and some other images...artist crayons, machine stitching, blue vellum, and Pitt (dries nice on vellum!)

The beach was nice yesterday...Mr. Luggage's employeer had a nice party for the families. It was still hot though...in the low 80's at the beach.

Thanks for coming by...I have some ideas swimming in my head for IF.......wish I was swimming..

Gone to the beach....

....be back tomorrow.

Artword: Cupcake

A cupcake came to me in my dream...

justjohanna rubber stamps, gesso, pitt and paper. The text translates to: "Do you dream of me, my love? I am here for you. I will always love you."

Dateline: Lost Luggage Reviews Returns from Summer Break!

6x6" decorative canvas with French mumbo jumbo

There has been a lot of chatter about image transfers recently so I decided to share what I learned at a recent Golden mixed media class. Come on over and welcome me back from summer vacation on the review blog today, won't you? There is a big, fat, tutorial on image transfers...free!

Thank you for stopping by today!!

justjohanna rubber stamps, acrylic paints, vintage French text, Pitt and image transfer.

The Box

Remember this post where I told you I got some tremendous deals at an unexpected Michael's sale? Well, at that sale, I bought this ugly wooden box for about fourteen cents. It was 90% off.

How do you like me now? I altered it with modeling paste (Liquitex), sanded it down and did a paint job on it to make it look like wood. I used several layers of paint and finished it with some interference gold for highlights on the trim.

Next, I added vintage sheet music (Thanks for the Memories) and a paint wash over the top. The book plate was new also...I aged it up and added the label.

Tips: To paint metal, heat it up with your heat gun and then add the paint. The paint will glide right on- and stay put. Too tired to hunt for vintage sheet music? Feed some newsprint paper through your printer and the texture does an excellent mimic job.

Thanks for stopping by today! I am working on a detailed transfer tutorial for my review blog...look for that on Tuesday.

IF Visitor

“Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.” - Einstein

This is the finished 5x7 canvas I previewed on the blog yesterday. Golden acrylics (including a generous helping of Micaceous Iron Oxide), image transfer (my grandfather RIP) and some rayon mesh. A justjohanna scroll image is also in there...but it doesn't show up well in the scan.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Saturday Tennis + Park + Paint

We spent this morning at the park...it was breezy, cool and delightful. I love going to county parks. I love the county issued accomodations and the smell of charcoal heating up. I always leave happy...good times.

It was a jammed packed morning/afternoon at Luggage Manor. 3 showings back to back. Apparently someone fell out of escrow on their first choice and was coming to look at our place which was their second choice. We've got them lined up for tomorrow already too. Mama sure is tired of mopping the floor.

This is the start to my IF project for this week. I might be able to finish it up by tomorrow.

Congratulations to all of the new designers that were picked to be on the justjohanna design team! We just finished a whirlwind DT call and are trying to get everyone settled in for a three month term. There will be another call for the next full term in November!

Happy Saturday!

Breathe

The metal bookplate added some girth to this, so sorry for the subtle blur here. This is one of the arches from my previous post. justjohanna floral image and my own words and doodles.

Thanks for stoppig by today!

Plant Something Today...

Acrylic paint (Golden), transfer, stickers, pen, artist crayon (Caran D'Ache). On the back of a Wheat Thins box.

We're never going to move. My family is being punished because we did the right thing. When millions of Americans are either helped by the government, or graciously walking away from their credit disasters, millions of home buyers are benefitting from the foreclosures. So, since I have money in the bank, tons of equity in the house, I have to sit. After all, why would a buyer want to buy a house that wasn't a foreclosure? They said it on the news, so it must be true

I hope that Americans saved their money. It sure sounds like it would suck if the deal of a lifetime fell into your lap and because you used your credit cards too much, and because you maxed yourself buying a fancy car, you can't qualify for the loan of your dreams. That would suck. The news said people can't get loans anymore. It must be true.

I didn't max my credit cards. I didn't overextend my credit. I didn't take fancy vacations. We paid our loan and saved every penny. So why am I having a bad time?

It's because "buyers" are under the false pretense (thanks media) that homes are going to fall from the sky now. Homes with Viking appliances and granite counter tops. Sheesh, everyone watches A&E...what happens on "flip this house" must be true. It's on TV after all..

I should be able to make millions of dollars instantly on the NYSE. That's "day trading" right? You're F'ing up the market for the rest of us.

Wake up America! Be responsible. Money is not meant for idiots. That only happens on TV.

(Well friends, I am sorry it had to come to this. I am fed up with trying to sell this house. If you fall into any of the categories above, well shoot. Sorry about that. Hope you keep coming to read Luggage Land...you never know what's going to happen next!

I guess this all started when I was fighting with my sewing machine last night. It's fixed now, but while looking for parts, I found a bunch of pretty bitchin' craft supplies I forgot about. Forgot about them because I had to stash them away so I could host walk through after walk through... every day when I start my cleaning routine I curse- I'm just tired. Sick and tired.)

You wanna the arch?

You gotta the arch. Check out this new cool blog from Nancy! Arch projects coming soon...you can also get a free template for making your own arch! Print one out...it's fun!

I am not sure what I am going to do with my panels...I think they would look cool attached to journal pages one day.. if I ever make a journal. I want to make a journal...

Luggage + Arch = fun!

Nancy talked me into making some gothic arch panels the other day and I am glad I did! Wednesday Stamper's (still on summer schedule) theme is "stitching". I am not happy with the thread tension here...I think the Carry-On may have found some new buttons to play with when I wasn't looking....

I used Golden fluid arcylics...with a few interference colors as well as some iridescent colors. This is layer upon layer of paint. I was not happy with the first few layers, so I layered and layered...watered down, wiped and painted my way to these end products.



And now a moment to thank all of my 'regulars': Thank you, regulars (and brand new friends!)!! I am blown away by the number of hits and comments I am getting during my art journey. Thank you so much! It really means a lot to me. I hope you come back tomorrow too!

(tree image: justjohanna rubber stamps)

Flea and trading...

These are the treats my best freind picked up for me in New York last weekend! When I opened the package, I couldn't believe my eyes! Vintage award ribbons, how neat! I love those applique patches too!!

There are all kinds of vintage die cuts! Witches, cupid, baby Jesus, butterflies! There is a little packet of vintage French labels (mint condition!), antique gold frieze bullion! It is all so rich!

I can't wait to make something using any of these things. They all make my projects seem so insignificant at the moment though....one day I will get the nerve to use them. I have to send him something extra special.........

bric-a-brac

IF: Captain... I had to force myself to make this one...tough theme.

justjohanna Theater featuring:

If Godzilla were a cupcake.

(Yes, I wrote that Japanese text using Babel Fish. I hope it reads, "Take me to your leader!" Can't you hear the voice-over now? Awesome.)

Artword: Storyteller

before

after

The Tomato Storyteller
Art on recycled paper; approx. 8x5"

Eye Treats

Sweltering outside? The perfect storm! AC and blurfing...can't get enough! Here is a list of the "new-to-me" blogs I can't get enough of! Enjoy!

My MiNuTia

Anahata Katkin

ArtsyMama

Paulette Insall

Neda

Rima

Michelle

Art in the Garage

Lisa Kaus

Inside A Black Apple

Is it Christmas??

Today was one of those days that happens only once in a while...when all the moons and jibber jabber are perfectly aligned...I'll explain. Today was the annual parking lot sale at Stampington (Somerset). They're down the street from me so I had to go. I met up with my pals Heather (above) and Tami (below). We had a great time and got some good loot...but little did we know the best was yet to come...

It was miserably hot at the sale. They had a ton of magazines and books on super sale...some embellishments and other supplies, but not "the good stuff" if you know what I mean..

Here's Tami getting a cold drink. We had to wait a long time at the "check out". It was REALLY hot today...in the 90's.

So after Stampington, we got a hot tip from my neighbor (Hi Diana!) who told us there was 80% off on stuff at Michael's up the street. I kidnapped Heather and Tami and took them on the full Luggage tour. We stopped by Casa de Luggage..it was really fun! Then we hit the Michael's. I have to tell you..I have never seen such a good sale in my life! I got a CART LOAD of stuff for...ready? TEN BUCKS! Beautiful yarn, wire mesh, things to alter...I mean they were selling stuff for 14 cents an item! DIRT CHEAP. My bill was $10..so I got $100 worth of stuff. I am still in a swivel about it. Really.

To top it all off, my best friend was in New York this morning. I sent him to Tinsel Trading with a Luggage Wish List and he called me this morning....ALSO on a swivel about how beautiful everything is in that store! That was one hysterical phone call...such a whirl wind, all I remember is 1906, vintage, die cuts and german. I can't wait to see that loot next week! I'll show you when I get it!

Talk to you soon!

the who

This was an interesting project for me.. It started out with a pale yellow background. Once that dried, I added the swirls (Revolution stencils I made out of scrap cardstock) and then I drew the tree.

Then I thought (so what if it was outloud...) "You should put someone in the tree"...but I wasn't looking for a cutsie project. 'Little Al' from justjohanna..perfect! At this point, the project was still looking too cheery for today's mood, so I covered the whole piece with micaceous iron oxide paint (golden) which gives an awesome glittery, but not shimmery, but not froo-froo effect.

Here you can see the iron oxide effect nicely. one more step...the iron oxide paint leaves a sand-papery feel..gritty- no good for my pens. To be able to write on this surface, I took a chance and buttered the whole thing up with Golden "Clear Tar Gel". I also had some transfer pieces drying today, so the gel was ready at hand..it worked perfectly! Once dried, the clear tar gel left me with an awesome surface to write on.

So here's my not-so-cute-not-so-halloween-but-a-little-bit-fallish project for today. Oh! I almost forgot...the whole piece is on my Cheerios box. That's right...right out of the recycle bin. Wait til you see what I've got going on with the Wheat Thins...

Once there were parking lots,

now it's a peaceful oasis

If you have not tried Italian Blood Orange Soda (Trader Joe's), then you are missing out! This is SO delicious, I suggest you stop what you're doing and rush out to buy some. Please don't rush to my Trader Joe's though...buy it at your own Trader Joe's. While you're there, check and see if they have any sugar plum tomatoes. Lunch on the patio today, nice and cool!

(Warning: you will be addicted to this drink...while searching for a link to order online for you, I found several sites that list this as a favorite TJ's product which consistently sells out. Luggage recommends camping out overnight and waiting for the truck to come in. If you find it, stock up!)

iTunes update...

I am updating my famed musical collection known as "Julie Lounge" and am looking for ideas of music you like to listen to when you're in the mood for 'art'. Take a moment to leave me some ideas, won't you please? Cheers!

Portable Inspiration pt. II

The back of the book I mentioned yesterday. Arcylic paints, artist crayons, pen, stickers, machine stitching, vintage French book pages, magazine cut out, twine and justjohanna images.

If blurfing were crack cocaine, I would be in rehab beside Lindsay Lohan right about now. I can't stop. My feed list has expanded so much in the last few days, I can't stand it! There are so many excellent feeds and great people I am meeting via the blogs and various Etsy shops that I can't review the feeds in one sitting anymore. The whole enchilada is really amazing to me.

I'll be updating the list over there so you can see too...no way I can keep all this to myself!

See you tomorrow...

Portable Inspiration

So, my best friend mentions to me yesterday that he is going to make a holiday journal so that when he is on his death bed, he can review it and have fond memories of his life. I was so excited to hear this! He doesn't usually dabble in journaling or papercrafts or crafts for that matter, so I immediately thought I would make him a little workbook filled with my favorite projects and instructions for creating them. I was so excited for HIS project!

The book turned out to be about 19 pages. I wrote a note to him on page one and the rest of the book is instructional. (Excerpts from my favorite publications and notes from myself.)

One the cover, I used Golden acrylics, vintage French text (although my writing is in Italian...in retrospect, I should have used an Italian page), stickers, justjohanna images, a transparency, artist crayons and machine stitching. I put it all together with japanese book binding; it measures 8.5x11".

Come back by tomorrow and I'll post the back cover. Thanks for stopping by today!

Are you bored?

Thanks to Dymphiem for this time passing exercise. Great fun for about 20 minutes. You never know what you're going to get! Check it out here.

Luggage Open House

My close friends will tell you I have been having a hard time lately. See, my house is on the market. We are trying to move back to my home town (San Diego). We've had a lot of potential buyer activity since the beginning of May and I am SO tired of it! Consequently, I can't make a mess. I am cramped up in my den, staying neat, tidy and ready for walk throughs. Every day.

Since there is a walk through scheduled for later today, I am staying neat again, and thought it best to just post a pictorial for you to enjoy- a rare look into the Land of Lost Luggage. In the picture above, you can see that there is a sewing project taking place today.

This picture shows my limited workspace. Here I sit, in front of the computer, working away. When I am not sending out assignments for the justjohanna design team, I am emailing and making art- simultaneously! Note to self: new house- computer resides in a different room than the art supplies.

There is a ceramic pot I keep on my desk. It holds the watercolor paper and scraps I use a lot. My Julification pens and scraps of French text are also in "the pot".

About one year ago, I thought I was such a genius for rescuing this little cabinet from our garage to hold my art supplies. Someone made a comment like, "That will be filled up in no time.."

The cabinet started to overflow upwards at first...then to the neighboring bookshelf and then onto the walls! Now it's spread to the closet too. And don't mention this to Mr. Luggage, but there are things hidden in the garage too...oh no..

Here is a caddy type tray that I can get in and out of the closet quickly...oddly enough it looks like a mess, but I know right where everything is! Honest.

These flowers reside in my "area" too. They were a present from justjohanna. Aren't they perky? I like how she used vintage ear clips for the center.

Here's a look at where I stack my commonly used inks...

Here is my paint bin. Since I have to pack up at any moment, the bookcase is loaded with these catch all bins. I have the contents sorted nicely, I think...like there is a paint bin, punch bin, ribbon bin, paper bin...yuck! I hate bins. God, get me a bigger space.

Here's my sewing area..I can keep my rear firmly planted in my chair and roll to it. HA! See that USPS box? My most prized posession is in there. MOST prized..from someone I Love very much. Why isn't it out you ask? Because it's one of those Spinal Tap moments where it's so special you can't look at it...you surely can't even point at it. I'll keep you in suspense. If anything happened to that item during a walk-through, I would die. I'll unveil it once I get out of here. For now, it sits in the peanuts, in the box, and if you come over to Casa de Luggage, please...no flash photography.

And, a small snapshot of the stamps. Sigh..these are my "non-seasonal" justjohanna images mostly. There are a couple of others in the foreground. The seasonal stuff is in a heap in the closet. Waiting for my cue to come out.. Oh..above the stamps I hang my received art and some of my current projects. If you send me something, it can also hang on the wall. -wink wink- I see projects from Zorana, Nancy, there's that ATC that Debbie made and won the contest, mail art from Tova, a note from Johanna and a card and ATC from Isa! Fun!

Usually, at any given moment, the "Carry-On" is quietly beside me secretly pulling pens out of their cups and stashing them inside the printer. Am I the only one who has to check the innards of the printer before printing something? I do it anyway...because she's really cute.

I'm a football fan. This is flying outside my window today. There was a pre-season game last night. We lost, but it's just practice. There is a new coach this season and I am very excited about it! I don't care what you girly girls think, on Sunday's you'll find me watching the game and eating nachos with Mr. Luggage and friends. That's just the way it is.



I hope you enjoyed the tour today. Don't forget to take care of your servers, and if you have anything in the coat check...it's too hot for a coat here...let's see..try the clams, I'll be here all week!

Goodbye, my love.

Sketch courtesy of the Limetart blog. justjohanna images, watercolor background, added Julification.

All we are saying is give peace a chance.

Mini-Julification for today! This is a 2x2 inch project I made using Ranger Memory Glass and one of the corresponding metal frames. The piece is translucent, making it really pretty hanging in the window!

The bird image (justjohanna) is stamped onto a blank vintage book page and I used salted water color paper for the base of the collage. (See Godelieve's tutorial for salt paper.) I added my usual pencil and pen doodles and a pressed flower from my garden.

Thank you for stopping by today!

IF: Emergency

acrylic paint, paint pen, Pitt, justjohanna image.