This makes me crazy...

Oprah, Angie, Brad, Madonna....focus on problems within your own country!
Click here

And now for something completely different...

Did you enjoy yesterday's tribute to the 80'S? I did. For your reading pleasure, I am going to pay homage to the 80's every Tuesday. I hereby proclaim Tuesday as "80's Day" in Luggage Land.

And now for something completely different. Feast your eyes on these!

I am in LOVE! LOVE this ink!! These drops are so juicy and delicious! Plus,the foam is much more firmer than the colorbox cat eyes, I feel like I have better control with the ink. I am addicted to these bad boys!

Using the new colors, I made two cards-

Heat embossed jusjohanna images and sentiment from Impress.

Isn't Belle the Belle of the Ball?

justjohanna images, heat embossed.

Thanks for stopping by! See you tommorrow.

Totally Rad, Dude!

Julie on the left, Shari on the right. San Diego, November 1988.

Back in the day, every Tuesday night at Emerald City was “80’s” night. So, in keeping with tradition, I give to you, vintage Luggage.

Feast your eyes on these two! Yours truly on the left, and to show I was not alone at being a complete dork, my good friend Shari is on the right. No, I did not perm my hair. Yes, Shari is holding a rubber chicken. It’s funny, right? And…YES…we’re still friends.. (At the moment anyway!)

This was a failed attempt at a United Colors of Benetton advertisement. You remember the ads, crazy kids posed casually in a white room in various knitwear… Some of the kids had mohawks (shocking!), some of them were just weird. Most of the time they were holding flags (I’ll spare you the pictures we took posing with the Union Jack) But they did one thing well; sell overpriced sweaters.

I can’t remember anything else about this photo. Shari probably drove the Cutlass over, we probably had fish tacos after school that day…I can’t imagine we did anything else with those hair dos!!

I have been blurfing so much! I decided to give you all a little piece of Luggage today because I am frustrated that so many blogs are incomplete. While I completely understand you may not what to divulge secret information for fear of identity theft, is there any harm in listing where in the hell you are? I see your house….but crimany, what state are you in? Until my hit map can mark the ISP location and your user name… it would be nice to know who I am blurfing with. No harm, no foul.

Where were you in 1988?

So, take Tuesday’s off with me. I’ll let you into Luggageland free of charge


PS- I almost forgot! Here are the top 20 dance hits for November, 1988:
Brat Pack - So Many Ways (Do It Properly Part II) (Vendetta)
Bros - I Owe You Nothing (Epic)
Brown, Bobby - My Prerogative (MCA)
Camouflage - The Great Commandment (Atlantic)
D'Arby - Terence Trent - Dance Little Sister (Columbia)
Diva, C.C. - Searchin' For (EMI)
Duran Duran - I Don't Want Your Love (Capitol)
Funky Worm - Hustle! (To the Music) (Atlantic)
Jellybean Featuring Richard Darbyshire - Coming Back For More (Chrysalis)
Matt Bianco - Don't Blame It On That Girl (Atlantic)
Noel - Out Of Time (4th and Broadway)
Raze - Break 4 Love (Columbia)
Sassa - When the Time Is Right (Profile)
S-Express - Superfly Guy (Capitol)
Thompson Twins - In the Name Of Love '88 (Arista)
Timelords - Doctorin' the Tardis (TVT)
Todd Terry Project - Just Wanna Dance / Weekend (Fresh)
White, Karyn - The Way You Love Me (Warner Bros.)
Wilde, Kim - You Came (MCA)
Yazz and the Plastic Population - The Only Way Is Up (Elektra)

The silicon chip inside my head has switched to overdrive..

Do you like that song? You should put it into your iPod. "I Don't Like Monday's" by the Boomtown Rats. Although the reason the song was written is very sad, it is one of those 'stick in your head' weekday songs...maybe it's just my head...........anywho............

I made a couple of cards. I know, shocker.

Fruit Cocktails

Another 'sketch' card. I made this card using the #3 sketch on CPS. Rubber Stampede and justjohanna images, colored with prismacolor pencils and covered in 3D crystal lacquer. I inked the edges in yellow Colorbox ink and Ranger distress "broken china".

Little Birdy

This is my first attempt with a product called Stampboard- the verdict? Stampboard ROCKS! Cavallini images stamped with Ranger Distress ink in "Antique Linen". On the Stampboard, I colored the background with dye ink and Prismacolor pencils. The best part is carving into the birdy for the highlights!

What's that smell?

It's Spring. justjohanna image covered in 3D crystal lacquer; Ph Martin background.

Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?

Nooo....but I would say that I made a plethora of 3x3 cards this morning. Products used include: Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, DCWV, Wild Asparagus, Distress EP, Distress Ink, Amazing Glaze, Moonglow Ep, Impress and justjohanna. Which one is your favorito? I am leaning towards "Cameo Belle".

Another perfect weekend...

Outstanding weather today...we went for a walk at a local lake.

"Take me to your leader."

CPS Sketch- Week 2

On a website I used to visit, there were weekly Creative Team Challenges. I looked forward to the challenges and thought of them as a way to strengthen certain techniques and learn new skills.

Yesterday while blog surfing (blurfing?), I came across a new blog (for FREE) called “Card Positioning Systems”. There is a weekly sketch challenge on this blog, so I decided to try it out.

I have never been comfortable following sketches. For some reason, my brain does not interpret the b&w shapes of a sketch; I don’t easily see the possibilities- at all. I will try the sketch again next week and see if it gets easier.

I worked on this card a long time. Much longer than a card that doesn’t use a sketch. One of the reasons I don’t normally enjoy “sketch cards” is because they all look “cookie cutter”, with sharp lines and harsh transitions amongst the elements used to make the card. In an attempt to avoid said lines, I ‘fringed’ the edges a little. (justjohanna images, Brilliance ink, Dr. Ph Martin paints, sequins.)

justjohanna sentiment, foof-a-la buttons and a little hemp twine. I distressed all the edges and inked them with Shabby Shutters distress ink.

This card looks like Mother Nature puked all over it and is a great example of why someone should hold my hand when I use embellishments. Back to the drawing board..

(justjohanna images, but I am not holding her accountable.)

Easter is on the way...

I don't look forward to Easter egg hunts, pretty hats or Jesus rising...every year about this time I look forward to Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. Is that wrong? They are much more delicious than the year round "cup". You should rush right out and buy one today!

Sunday at the Country Club

Nobody puts Baby in a corner...

Distress background with vellum overlay. Images: Impress

Perez for President...

Are you keeping up with the developing Britney Spears news? What a train wreck! I can't keep my eyes off of Perez Hilton's site! The site is in overdrive these days with many many updates all day long. What is your favorite story??

All around the world...

I admit it. I am fascinated by my hit map. I can't stop looking at it and wondering who all the red dots belong to! Come on South America and Africa, I need you too :)

Testing 1,2,3

Tonight I cracked open my Dr. Ph Martin Radiant Concentrated paints. I was inspired to attempt these paints by Godelieve, who's fantastic pieces can be seen here. My intentions are to be able to use these papers one day to accent a card here or there. I am trying to get into the groove with the paints, it is not as easy as it looks!

Satin Necklace

I made this satin beaded necklace last weekend. I used versamagic chalk ink, heat set it and sewed it up. The original idea was on Martha Stewart a few weeks ago and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to try it with stamping (on Martha the designer used vintage scarves- no stamping). Look for more of these soon! I am going to make silk versions soon.

(Justjohanna stamps)

The coast is clear...

The company just left. Thank god things are getting back to normal here! I promise some project pictures later tonight, but in the meantime, here are some of my favorite spam titles of the past week or so.(Who writes this stuff? And they think I am going to click on it??)

• De Jesus says he learned he was Jesus reincarnate when he was visited in a dream by angels.
• cellophane be vandal not gangway it accost not ignoble but puerile
• shrew be armoire or eastbound and alive try mimi the a
• dinnertime it chug it workstation try pond some amber it's conjoin
• Enlargement Revolution
• suggestive but boogie the spider try adjudicate a insect a quota ohmic

(Note for my friends visiting in which English may not be their first language: Don't worry, these do not make sense to me either.)

Adios, 'Stamp Shack'

I am no longer a 'member' on the Stamp Shack website. Please contact me via email if you have any concerns regarding the swaps I am hosting through that website. I will continue to act as hostess in my swaps as well as a participant in the swaps I have already committed to.

Where in the world?

Debbie shot me a link to a cool map of the world that records the IP address of each hit to my blog on the map. I can't wait to see it fill up! (Check out the map on the right, way down there.)

Crafing resumes in 48 hours.......

Super Saturday

It's 86 degress in Luggage Land today....86. Freaking FANTASTIC! It's not gross and humid either.. there is a terrific breeze, high wispy clouds and it's dry. Picture perfect- wish you were here. Not actually, you should probably stay home. There's not room enough here for all of us.

I heart San Diego

This place kicks ass! I got my paints today...17 beautiful, vibrant colors. I can't wait to use them. I'll post some projects next week for everyone to see. More later...

Quote of the Week

Former NBA Miami Heat Guard, Tim Hardaway:

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said Wednesday, according to a transcript on the Miami Herald Web site. "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

Hardaway was a guest on the show and was asked at the end of the interview how he would handle having a gay teammate.

''First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team,'' Hardaway answered. "And second of all, if he was on my team, I would really distance myself from him because I don't think that is right. I don't think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room. But stuff like that is going on and there's a lot of other people I hear that are like that and still in the closet and don't want to come out of the closet, but you know I just leave that alone.''

Well done, moron.

See the complete article here.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Not much to report today... we are awaiting the arrival of the Luggage in-laws who will be visiting for 5 days starting tomorow.

I had a brief coloring lesson with Debbie last weekend and this is the result. I am very happy with how these tags turned out. This is a single 'Paula Best' image colored without gamsol, using prismacolor pencils.

Life List

The topic comes up on talk shows, on the radio and on other blogs. People are creating “Life Lists” that is, things to get done before you die.

While I don’t see any harm in having a life list, know that I will never create one for myself. I don’t like to have “pending” things, I like my plate clean. That Franklin Covey store gives me a rash. I work hard to get the job done right away. I have come to the realization that if I have a Life List, it will only torture me.

Therefore, for your reading enjoyment, I have created the “Luggage List of Things That I Will Never Do”. Never say never? That’s a bunch of crap. Here we go:

10. Pierce myself somewhere other than my ears.
9. Bungee jump, base jump, sky dive.
8. Ski or snowboard
7. Operate heavy machinery
6. Have a baby without knowing who the father is
5. Rob a bank or otherwise knowingly break the law
4. Read a book deemed “classic”
3. Write or say the words, “I am blessed”, “You are blessed” or “Bless you”
2. Eat at a ‘potluck’
1. Knowingly join an organized religion.

I'll try to keep this brief:

10. I am sad that I pierced my ears. Clip on is the way to go. Furthermore, I am sad that I pierced my ears 6 times. I can appreciate nose piercings in certain cultures…but if we are having a conversation, I won’t be able to stop staring at your piercing.

9. Did you see the footage of the guy who fell 5000 feet all over the news last night? I rest my case.

8. I have a strict policy against being cold and wet and cold. I would like to try that hiking with tennis rackets on your shoes one day...

7. Why would I operate heavy machinery? Aside from some future landscaping, I can’t see anything other than a ‘bobcat’ crossing my path; Mr. Luggage can happily have it.

6. Poor Anna Nicole…

5. I am a law abiding citizen. The guilt of committing said crime would kill me.

4. I don’t like reading books.

3. This creeps me out. Honestly, why do people do this? Aside from an occasional sneeze, why do we all of a sudden have to tell everyone to ‘have a blessed day’? I can tell you one other thing for sure, when I win a big award, I am not going to thank God, Allah or my Savior.

2. I don’t care if you have a popular show on Food TV…I will not eat at your potluck. People do strange things with their food (and their hands) and I cannot participate without loosing my mind.

1. I say ‘knowingly’ because I think those Scientologists are sneaky.

Taking a trip down memory lane...

I am taking the opportunity today to liven up the ol' blog and add some more of my favorite card designs. I especially enjoy the new thumbnail feature on the right! Thank you for stopping by!

Unknown heart image heat embossed with Ranger Distress EP in Tattered Rose. Justjohanna scroll also embossed with clear EP.

21 Bird Salute: Justjohanna bird images stamped with distress ink and cut out to fashion into the shape of a heart a la skywriting birds.

Paula Best fish image colored with prismacolor pencils. Background made by using microglaze and pigment inks.

For the card above, I used scotch tape to remove the top layer of the pattern paper. After the removal, I added the script image and then dusted with distress inks. Unknown heart image heat embossed with distress ink; finally, justjohanna bird and scooter images, heat embossed.

Splash art background made using Ranger alcohol inks and gold mixatives. Justjohanna cupcake image cut out and colored with glitter glue.

Splash art background craeted with Ranger alcohol inks. Justjohanna image heat embossed and coated in crystal lacquer.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

I love that song. Every Sunday, I think about that song. Bono is a genius.

The Commander is tired today. Yesterday was great fun! I met up with Debbie and met some new pals in Escondealeo; fulfilled all of my fabric needs at Yardage City; shopped at the Cupboard and the Cottage. We made some pretty cool things at Debbie’s in the afternoon and thought up some pretty gnarley ideas for future projects. My pending project list is bursting with ideas! I am really excited about the prospects of said ideas.

You can let your dog crap freely today, I am too tired to patrol the area.

Thanks for the Memories

justjohanna memory books

Dog Shit PSA

On behalf of the rule abiding citizens of Aliso Viejo, I hereby anoint myself “Commander Shit”.

Hey YOU! Woman with the purple shirt and black slacks…you who rushed home from work last night to walk your two tan medium sized dogs in front of the elementary school at 5:15pm. Yes, YOU. I know what you did. You walked your dogs out of your gate, let them crap, and did not pick it up!

You saw me. I was coming up fast behind you…your dogs turned in horror because they knew you were about to get caught. I am going to get you. You had to pull them up out of shit stance to hurry it along.

For some reason, idiots in Aliso Viejo feel that they do not need to be responsible pet owners and the vast majority of them do not pick up their dog’s shit. The sidewalks are loaded with crap. You cannot walk 15 feet without having to hold your nose or avoid stepping in poop. Furthermore, the people I am supposed to act neighborly with feel so superior to others, that they walk outside of their gated communities, let their rancid animals do the deed and then walk back inside to avoid the Commander.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what you’re doing. I see you empty handed; no blue bags. I know you avoid eye contact with the Commander because you know YOU ARE WRONG. Well, rest assured, you’re going to hell.

From Google: As rainwater hits the ground and runs off, it can collect and wash pet waste (and any other pollutant) into our local creeks, rivers, and lakes. The very lake that your pet’s waste is washed into may also be where you and your friends and family like to swim or fish or ski or where we are drawing our drinking water. Potentially dangerous bacteria in pet waste, such as fecal coliform, is not just a threat to people but also wildlife. In addition, pet waste is high in nutrients, which cause high algae growth. This results in cloudy, colored water and can cause drinking water to smell bad and taste funny.

Next time you’re out violating the law, don’t pay attention to the lady sitting on the lawn chair. That will be me, The Commander; and I will promptly be calling the police to report your sorry, lazy ass.

Love Letter

What are words for?

I am moving towards never speaking outloud again.

I do the majority of my shopping on line. I used to do all of my grocery shopping online too, but my Vons was just remodeled into “Super Vons” and it really is breathtaking. (I have to go in there whether I need groceries or not.) Pizza ordering: online, clothes shopping: online. Speaking to Mr. Luggage: you guessed it- a lot of emails. Little Miss Carry-On does not use email yet, but I am sure when she is old enough; you get the idea.

I hardly call anyone regularly to shoot the breeze anymore. We email. I hardly refer to my cook books without looking online for recipes first. What does the future hold?

I am happy this way. I feel jittery when the lap top is not up and running in the kitchen. I need it there like an alcoholic needs a morning cocktail. Wireless, I guess it’s the work of the devil. No longer do we need to go to the “computer room” to sit down and check email or balance the checkbook. The network is always at our fingertips.

Maybe I would have been more comfortable using hieroglyphics in a cave or pyramid somewhere… maybe I was in a cave or pyramid in a past life. I am having a lot of trouble attaching ‘sentiments’ to my cards as well. It seems that the majority of things I am making fall into the “general note card” category.

Could you live without email?

They came; they drank.

Super Bowl was a blast yesterday! Thank you to all of the usual suspects and the new friends that stopped by for the fun!

My favorite part was the half-time show; I made it out of the kitchen for most of it.

For many of you, the best part was the ‘beer pool’. Here is a recap of the top three brews:

Third Place: Heineken and Stone Pale Ale (tie)
Second Place: Weizen Ale
First Place: Kirin Ichiban

And…the beer you do not want to buy for your birthday party, work party or christening? In last place by far: Brother Thelonious (Sorry Steve-O.)

See you all for Super Bowl XLII

Papercrafting.

It really doesn’t matter who wins the game…

Only because the Chargers are not playing.

There is a buzz this morning at Luggage Manor as we prepare for our annual Super Bowl extravaganza. Mr. Luggage has been tediously carving out a large foam core ‘D’ and a foam core ‘fence’ for added atmosphere this year and I am pleased to announce the debut of a new attraction: The Beer Pool.

All guests have been informed that they have the opportunity to win $50 if they bring the winning brew! Here’s how it works: Guests bring in one 6 pack or 2 large craft beer bottles to the party in brown paper bags. I will record and place all entries into the official Price Waterhouse Coopers cooler. To start, we will serve shot sized portions of each beer and the guests will vote for their favorite. It is that easy! Why is this plan genius? Well, for one, I invented it. Second, the house will be full of great beer as everyone desires the prize. Third, we save money because I normally buy all the beer tasting beers myself for the tune of $250-$300. Win all around! What if two of the same beer make it into the pool? No problem. I suspect with the amount of drinking that will be taking place hardly anyone will notice.

Here are some of the other menu items I am preparing for tomorrow:

Roast Beef/ Black Forest Ham deli Sandwiches
Return of the ‘Touchdown Nacho Station’ including my famous bean dip and “THE CHIPS”
Carmela Soprano’s Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms
Cilantro Potato Salad
Lil’ Smokies wrapped in blankets (party favorite)
Mexican Won Tons
Seafood Dip
Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
Billy’s Vanilla Cupcakes with Caramel frosting
Peanut Buttery Fudge Brownies
Ricotta Puffs

Wear stretch pants!

PS- yesterday’s double post was in reference to the classic Bill Murray film, Groundhog Day. Don't email me asking me for these recipes; you can find them online.

I am being haunted...

I will probably end up in therapy one day. (Probably?) There are many questions that I need answered. There are many situations that are slowly resurfacing as I “mature”. (I’ll never mature…I will always poke you in the ass if you bend over in front of me, and I will always laugh at a fart joke. But you know what I mean.)

One of the things that has been bothering me lately is that I feel an overwhelming sense to be original. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a job; maybe it’s because for once the right side of my brain is being stimulated. Maybe it’s because in Orange County, everyone looks the same (they all have the same surgeon). Maybe it’s because of my mother. (Haha…I know she reads this. Gotcha!)

Every idea I have is taken. This morning, I was driving in the car and thinking about what literary masterpiece I should include in my blog this evening. A-ha! I will talk about finding the Virgin Mary in my food. Everyone seems to find her, except me. Then, like some sort of signal, the radio announcer says, “While you’re looking for the Virgin Mary in your soup…” Are you kidding me?

I thought I had an original idea to quilt a card. The Stamp Shack users know that I have been mentioning this off and on. I even posted an attempt (shown below). My conclusion was that I will try this with silks and satin one day. Paper doesn’t “tuft” well. Would you believe that I received my first valentine in the mail today? You guessed it. Quilted. Just like Coco would make. (Thank you, Bigbadmike! It’s awesome!)

‘The Land of Lost Luggage’ was not the first name of this blog. For approximately 12 hours, the blog was entitled, 'The Island of Lost Luggage'. Brilliant, right? No go. I found a freaking book of poetry with the same title.

So, what the deal-e-oh? Nothing is original. If you think you are original, tell me your idea. I will find it in its blissful existance online. What do I make of all this? Nothing. I still feel like I don’t want to be like everyone else.

Pull my finger.

I am being haunted...

I will probably end up in therapy one day. (Probably?) There are many questions that I need answered. There are many situations that are slowly resurfacing as I “mature”. (I’ll never mature…I will always poke you in the ass if you bend over in front of me, and I will always laugh at a fart joke. But you know what I mean.)

One of the things that has been bothering me lately is that I feel an overwhelming sense to be original. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a job; maybe it’s because for once the right side of my brain is being stimulated. Maybe it’s because in Orange County, everyone looks the same (they all have the same surgeon). Maybe it’s because of my mother. (Haha…I know she reads this. Gotcha!)

Every idea I have is taken. This morning, I was driving in the car and thinking about what literary masterpiece I should include in my blog this evening. A-ha! I will talk about finding the Virgin Mary in my food. Everyone seems to find her, except me. Then, like some sort of signal, the radio announcer says, “While you’re looking for the Virgin Mary in your soup…” Are you kidding me?

I thought I had an original idea to quilt a card. The Stamp Shack users know that I have been mentioning this off and on. I even posted an attempt (shown below). My conclusion was that I will try this with silks and satin one day. Paper doesn’t “tuft” well. Would you believe that I received my first valentine in the mail today? You guessed it. Quilted. Just like Coco would make. (Thank you, Bigbadmike! It’s awesome!)

‘The Land of Lost Luggage’ was not the first name of this blog. For approximately 12 hours, the blog was entitled, 'The Island of Lost Luggage'. Brilliant, right? No go. I found a freaking book of poetry with the same title.

So, what the deal-e-oh? Nothing is original. If you think you are original, tell me your idea. I will find it in its blissful existance online. What do I make of all this? Nothing. I still feel like I don’t want to be like everyone else.

Pull my finger.