Editor's note:

Please visit us at our new location by clicking here. If you are linking to us, please do not forget to edit your link. For the meantime, we will continue to operate our Review Blog at it's current address.

Merry Christmas!

Mark your calendars.....

One more thing before I go....save the date! I'll be kicking off my new blog with lots of fun, games and the first ever Luggage Blog Sweepstakes!! We'll kick off the new year with some SWEET prizes! Come back on 12/31 for the new blog address. See you then!

Orange Crush

Dear Readers,

There is big news to report today from Luggage World. As most of you know, our home has been on the market since the beginning of May. Out of the blue, we received a “nice” offer last month in which the buyers asked for 30 day escrow. We took the deal. My family and I will be moving to my home town, San Diego, California at the end of next week.

Sadly, I have had to quit the job I just started; happily, the Carry-On will be able to grow up in America’s Finest City! My husband and I have been waiting for this moment for several years. It is a miracle for it to be finally coming to fruition.

Things are pretty hectic around here, as you can imagine. We’ve lived in Orange County since 1998. I am very very happy to be moving out from under the orange curtain. San Diego is a very different city than where I live now. We’ll be moving into an apartment where we can comfortably wait for our next permanent address to become available. We’re taking our time to find a great house.

With our relocation comes the changing of not only my physical address, but my email address, and other various URL’s that make The Land of Lost Luggage what it is today. The current blog will be up and running , but things will start to look a little different as my URL’s disappear. Having said that, I am happy to report that I will be opening a new blog on December 31, 2007- New Year’s Eve. I hope that you will continue to visit me at my new Typepad address! I will post the address as soon as it is available.

This year has been amazing! Over 40,000 blog hits since February! I love you all so much and I am so happy that you visit. I’ll disappear for a few days, but I’ll be back to reading your feeds in a week or so. I hope that you will find me again!

I wish you all a very wonderful holiday!

Love,
Julie

No Relation

The sister page to "four love" which I posted yeterday. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Laura at the park in our neighborhood! We had a great time. Hi Laura!

See you guys tomorrow!

Four Love

Somtimes the pages don't have any hand written journaling. I don't think they all need to have journaling. I don't think it takes away anything from the page....the feelings are still visible. Have a good Tuesday!

be still

Well well...I am ready to mail out my "pay-it-forward" projects, just waiting for some stamps. I am not making Christmas Cards this year. I am taking a break. Please don't feel sad if you don't get a holday card from me.

I've been getting a lot of questions about my art journal. I named the book "Color Binge". Every day, while the Carry-On is eating breakfast, I hastily slop paper and paint together to make a page. I usually write the journaling later in the day or when something hits me. It's never really planned. I just go for it. I highly recommend this process...it is very liberating not to have to make something for someone else to purchase...or not towards a challenge. It is "raw Luggage". I am glad you like it! It makes me so happy to read all of your comments and it keeps me going! Afterall, there will end up being 120 pages in Color Binge once it is finished! Baby steps... have a nice Monday!

I know about fish...

Andrea's journaling prompt this week was "What I know about fishing". This is what I came up with. Hope it still counts! See you tomorrow, I am off to work.

I heart Yo Gabba Gabba

I've been hooked on this television show since I started to see the previews last summer. "Life Lessons With a Beat" was the catch line...I marked our calendar because I had a 'feeling" about this show.

I was so bored with the run of the mill cartoons that the Carry-On was watching...as soon as I saw the brightly orange clad DJ Lance Rock, I knew this was going to be something huge!

Fast forward- we've watched every episode over and over and the Carry-On and I activly particpate in every dance! It's Aweeeessssoommmme!

Here is a link to the Yo Gabba Gabba blog...which if you have kiddos of your own, you should totally watch! Even more inspiring the story of how the show came to be and a lesson to all about the work and dedication it takes to be great!

The minute the merchandise became available I ordered the Carry-On her faborite character "Toodee". The doll looks amazing and I can't wait to see her unwrap it!

Ignite!

Inspired solely by the random page I tore out of the dictionary. I love it when that happens. Have a good Saturday!

Sarah- please contact me!

If your name is "sarah" and you signed up for my pay-it-forward giveaway, please email me. I left a comment on your blog days ago and have not received your response. Fair notice, if I don't hear from you by Monday...I have to pay-it-forward to another reader!

Stay True

It feels really good to be home today with nothing on the agenda. The best part is that we've got empty schedules tomorrow as well! I am looking forward to getting some painting done. I hope you have a great day too! TGIF!

Ruuuhhnnnnn Foooreessstttt...Ruuuuhhnnn!

I am exhausted. The usual holiday hustle and bustle has deminished my painting time and it is making me a little cranky! I got myself some new running shoes last night. You never realize how shot your last shoes were until you get into the new ones. I need to buy them more often...my feet are also aching from work. My legs? Oh..that's how we roll in So Cal.. shorts yesterday. It was in the low 80's. No snow shovel here.

I've got some Color Binge pages partially finished...I'll post some art this weekend. Ciao.

New Recruits Announced!

Congratulations to all of the talented stampers who made the new justjohanna design team!! You can find links to their beautiful artwork by clicking here.

A Secret Message?

I always wonder why things happen like they do and I wonder about why things happen when they do....

Happy Monday! We're doing our usual routine today..park, groceries..blah blah, work tonight. I hope you had a great weekend! Weekends fly by really fast for me these days since I basically cut mine in half. I really appreciate the quality time I am able to spend with my family!

Oh, how could I forget? I went to the Paper Source again yesterday. It was every bit as magical as it was last weekend. I am planning to go there next weekend too. I found Anahata's cards there and they are magnificent! Budget permitting, I may try and pick some up next Sunday.

Ciao!

Egg Salad

It's raining! It's really measurable moisture. Hooray!

Treat Yourself Today

Here's completed page 19 from the Color Binge. I painted over the outside cover, but I am pretty sure that this is a 60 page book...which means 120 journal pages since I am painting on both sides of the paper! What are you gonna do...I've got time.

Thank you to everyone who has been leaving comments on my blogs! It's really amazing how everyone can network so easily. I appreciate all of your visits very much!

Expression...

I love the Carry-On's expression in this picture. She's inherited her mom's sense of comedic timing.

WS: Words

I could not look past my daily journal when I read the theme for this week's Wednesday Stamper. I sat down with some pens, a couple of backgroud stamps and this is what "came out". Regular readers know that I have been showing my home since May 1st. Shortly after listing, we thinned out the contents and packed a lot of stuff away...including the majority of my art supplies. This page is about what I look forward to once we move....date unknown.

So, with my shoebox full of my favorite supplies, this is what you get. I hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by!

editors note: I challenge each of you to work with whatever medium you love with only the supplies that will fit into a shoebox for a month...no cheating. Welcome to my world. Oh- I forgot to mention...you can't make a mess or leave anything out to dry. Why? Because potential buyers may come by at any minute and you have a 22 month old running amuck.

Cheers!

Nothing new...

Today's Color Binge page.... Have a great Tuesday!

There was still no blue on the second day...

Yesterday I forced myself out of the store, across the mall to a place called the Paper Source. Dear Readers, if you see a Paper Source location near you, run! don't walk. It is amazing. I purchased a couple of books, a litle paper and some mumbo jumbo. All in an hours lunch break of fun. I was glad to have been able to see their beautiful papers in person before we move...now I feel great about the possibility of ordering off their site.

I came out of the store totally inspired and renewed. The trip reminded me of how important it is to get off of the internet and into the world to look around. I had been putting off the trip to PS for some subconscious reason.....I wish I had gone in their weeks ago!

See you tomorrow!

I always think about Bono on Sundays...

I've been so busy the last few days and I don't know with what. I long for the days of sitting around and doing nothing...I crave the days where I used to be able to spread out an art project and make a huge mess for a day or two or three... there will come a time for that soon I hope.

Michael deMeng has cool new rusty stuff on his shop site. I placed an order this morning. More "stuff" to add to the stockpile. I love having a stockpile of stuff that I have no idea what I need it for!

MA (one day we'll discuss my love of calling people by their initials...at work, a few call me "JP"...the Carry-On will be "KC" one day..I like the sound of certain letter combinations.. is that weird?) pointed out that she liked the blue color I have been using in the Color Binge... what? Sure enough, as I flipped back through the book, the majority of the pages were blue! That's strange.

Until tomorrow..

Pay it forward!

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay it forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.So basically, if you comment and you’re on, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work. I got mine from Belinda here.

WS: Diamonds

Even though my newly coveted diamond shape punch just made it's debute on the blog here, how could a gemologist pass up using actual diamonds instead of the shape in this week's project?

This lucky bird is sitting on a diamond and platinum perch from Tiffany & Co. In case you're wondering, the necklace is priced at $150,000 USD.

Happy Black Friday. A disgusting display of greed and ugliness. Is it worth it? Save your gas and money.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We're going ahead with the usual suspects for lunch...dinner whatever. I am not looking forward to the impending stomach ache so I am taking it easy. I am going to make this recipe...saw it on TV and it looked easy and delicious.

Thank you to all of my friends and family who support me in life! I love you all. I am also thankful for all the bloggers who blog such beautiful inspirations every day! You're the best! And without you, the readers, we wouldn't be here at all! Have a great holiday!!

It's a happy holiday afterall!

Yeah! We're excited in Luggage Land as the Yo Gabba Gabba toys launched today! I already ordered Toodee. I can't wait to give her to the Carry-On!

Today's Color Binge + Bonus

For Rion

(omg...Julie put JC Superstar on her blog today. Of course she did.)

Give A Little Bit

And now for something completely different.... do yourself a favor.. Stay a little bit and watch the video in the post below! (I can't figure out how to make a post containing you tube and a picture. Doh!)

(1977 is close enough to the 80's to qualify for this post!)

Super Super Super Super who

A Thanksgiving esque moment...especially for the 80's Tuesday crowd... and so I don't have to listen to any of you say you don't know Supertramp... THIS is a great song. Turn it up!

The return of luggage...

Hey hey! I'm back! We had an action packed weekend. I spent Saturday at my friend Anna's (holla!) house in San Diego helping with some things she needed and Sunday at my job. The weekend goes so fast now that I work on Sunday's. I had a really nice sale yesterday so that was a nice touch!

So now to catch up on my feed list and recouperate so I can get back to work tonight! See you all tomorrow!

Oh! Yes.. I did end up sanding the Color Binge pages with light sand paper. It worked a lot to help the pen tips on the page, but for some reason, I don't think the Pitt pens love gesso as much as I have on the last few pages. It's about time to paint up a new batch, so I am going to try and use white paint instead of gesso (afterall, I am a working woman now...I can splurge on a bottle of white paint) and see if that + sanding = the perfect storm for journaling.

It really is Friday...and I am moving at the speed of light!

All of a sudden, there is so much going on! Work at my "job", work at justjohanna and company and and and.... Can you believe I was up at 5am today? I know...someone call the doctor! I'm taking the weekend off blogland..see you Monday! Have fun!!

PS- pen doesn't travel well over lumpy gesso.. maybe I should sand it first?

Feels like Friday....

It feels like Friday today because it is my last day of work this week. I was lucky to sell a little ACEO in my shop yesterday and I sent this free-be tag off with the order. It's been a long time since I've made something without running it through my sewing machine....

In fact, I even crammed a few pages of "Color Binge" through my sewing machine last night. Those pages should be ready in a few days as soon as I finish them up. Here is a page I flashed a couple of days ago now with my jibber jabber on it. Time to clean the house, my friends, see you tomorrow!

Odds and Ends

First, thanks to Wednesday Stamper for selecting my "leaves" project for the weekly sampler! This makes me so happy!

Second, head over to my friend Andrea's blog. She made the most amazing mixed media panel the other day. I can't stop looking at it! She's one artist you'll want to add to your feed list!

Still have not made a feed list? Some of you mentioned you could not see the magical orange button to subscribe to feeds. Try hitting "alt j" and see if that works. That key stroke should get the feed options up for you on some of the other versions of IE. More on feeds here.

That's it for now...I'm off today so I can make up some new journal pages to share later. Talk to you soon!

Garbage

Here is a finished page. I am awe struck by the journal pages I read online these days! I really like doing this. Especially under the current circumstances that are my life. Going back to work again today. It is so much fun! Thank you for continuing to come by even though my project focus has shifted for the moment!! I am happy to be able to have something to post! See you tomorrow!

Commercialism

Being back in the workforce isn't that bad. It's bad on the feet and cuts into my fun time, but it's nice to speak to people. Things went well. I'm going back in today. Have fun!

Grooming

I'm going to work today. My first full day back not counting last week's orientation. Manicured and washed myself this morning so I am more pleasant to be around...that should be good. I am looking forward to eating one of my old time regular favorites for lunch..the tuna stuffed tomato. I think I will add pepper today. I'm in a peppery mood...

Color Binge is a good project for the holidays. The pages don't take too long to make and they don't require a lot of supplies, so the book is pretty portable. I reckon I'll be making a lot of pages the next month or so until we get out of this mess. See you tomorrow...

IF: Scale

Many times I feel like I am the only person in the world carrying as heavy of a load as I do.... (Thanks for coming to my pity party....now back to our regularly scheduled programming.)

Luggage Fall Tour

Some thoughts and pictures of recent happenings:

My favorite fall smell... I love the apple and cinnimon type of scents that are available at this time of year. I think they should be sold year round, but I am not a fan of this new Pier One container for my holiday favorite. I wish they would sell this scent in the plain diffuser bottles.

That's the Carry-On approaching her 2nd birthday in 2 months and rapidly growing out of all clothing! She helps me with my justjohanna book keeping.

The weather the last few days has been a little cool for Southern California standards... I like it though. It makes me feel like baking and eating.. I like eating.

See? I told you she helps me with my book keeping. There's proof!

Too cool on the patio... 59 degrees? My policy is not to go outdoors once the temperature falls below 60.

Three journal pages in progress.

Ahhh yess....bring on the fancy holiday FOOD CATALOGUES! This is one days load! I love reading these...one of these days I am going to break down and buy beef wellington. I saw it on the shopping channel today too..I've never had it, but I think I love everything about it!

Hope you enjoyed your tour. We'll be here all week. Try the clams.

WS: Leaves

I bought a deck of cards called "Nature's Pharmacy" at the Somerset sidewalk clearance last summer. The deck contains 50 cards from the New York botanical garden that measure about 4.5x3". I had no idea what I was going to do with them at the time, but they sure have come in handy with the last two days projects. I altered this card to fit the Wednesday Stamper theme "Leaves" by making a packing tape transfer of a fashion model, stamping the justjohanna leaf image and painting the background with acrylic paint. To keep with the natural theme, I added a thin sheet of mica over the bottom text. I love sewing through mica...makes me feel like a rebel.

My internal clock is still out of sync for those of you keeping score...

IF: Hats

A page from "Color Binge", my art journal. I don't drink coffee; it seems that having a cup in your hand is some sort of status symbol... Did you know one of those Pumpkin Creme coffees not only costs way too much, but it has 400 calories, 130 of which are fat? Not to mention the sodium seems high too..240 grams. I'm no fitness spokesmodel, but if it were me I would much rather find something better to use my 400 calories on... see you tomorrow.

I'm so out of it!

I vote we cancel the time change... is it me? Crimany, I am a total wreck this week. I don't understand how this is supposed to save energy..it's dark at 5pm. I have to turn on the lights. Maybe I can start my own time zone... didn't Kramer do that? I can't remember exactly..but my time zone would save energy because I sleep in until 8am. If everyone was asleep all morning, no one would have to turn on the lights...or the heater...we could all stay under the covers. Someone get me an application for a seat in the Senate.

It's not just the falling asleep at 6:00 that's a mess...my creative mojo is gone too. I forced myself to make this altered card last night and it took forever. My eyes were doing that thing where they were glued wide open and I was not blinking...

That's mica up there...sewn to the card. A little paint, some scribble...justjohanna stamp..someone help me out of my funk!

New holiday justjohanna images are in!

Yeah! There are FANTASTIC new images available from justjohanna that you must have for holiday crafting! Check out the new catalogue! It has everything I love about this stamp company! Fresh, fun and not too cute.

Amour

available in my etsy shop

Let's see... I don't have anything fun to say.. my flu shot arm has reutned to normal. The day I got the shot (last week) it hurt so bad!... I used up all of the blue toned collage paper, so I am going to turn to some new projects this week...I think I'll make some new wrapped canvas..stay tuned!

Sunday to Market

Since I am going to be working at my job on Sunday's starting next week, I decided to get to the flea market and stock up some more. Stock up for what? Who in the hell knows... I had a good time and this collection should hold me over a while, I reckon.

Even though we are far apart...

a nice project

Today was a new day...

4x5" mini-painting (sold)

I am having a lot of fun with these collage pieces. You can create so many different looks on the same background paper and I don't seem to be getting tired of them at all! Another thing I am having a good time with is beeswax. A lot of the online tutorials explain that in order for you to even out your wax once it is on the piece, you should use a quilter's iron. I actually am getting great results with my heat gun. Try it some day!

HappY bIrthDay, Anna P Cont!!

Happy Birthday to my friend, Anna!

It's French

This piece measures approx. 3x5". It is an acrylic collage background embellished with justjohanna rubber stamps, machine stitching and beeswax. It can be yours because it is available in my etsy shop. Thanks for stopping by today!

On to the next holiday....

Hope you all had a good time last night! We didn't get many trick o' treaters..so stop by if you want some more candy!

Happy Halloweenie

Happy Halloween everyone! While I am sure everyone has huge, all out plans today, we're starting the holiday off with a trip to the doctor. Seems the Carry-On has a lingering cold that we're going to get checked out.

She's thrilled about Halloween. I'm sure of it. She shows her excitement by screaming in horror when she looks at the cape I made her. On the other hand, she is very happy to yell "C A N D Y" when she wants something to eat. It was bound to happen one day sooner or later..I just thought it would be later. Now, out the window with all of the fruits and vegetables she has been eating her entire life...now she wants CANDY!! every 5 minutes. Such is life...isn't that what we all want? I knew it. My child is a genius.

So I am sure we'll have a nice time answering the door for the other kids who come by. I'm sure she'll like that better anyway. She'll probably get angry that I am giving our C A N D Y to strange kids... have a fun and safe holiday!

The City of Light

available in my etsy shop

I was able to load in some new items into the shop last night.. it feels good to be able to cross that off my list. I feel anxious when I am in the process of making projects.. paint, let it dry, add this, let it dry, add this too, let that dry. I've been working on these pieces since I started the collage background last week! Done.

Special thanks to Neda and Rima for helping me with my French!!

Time to carve the pumpkins and get ready for tomorrow! See you then!

Super Sunday Sunday Sunday!

Yesterday was one of those days that you need to take a couple of days just to digest all that took place! I went down to Stamping Details to take another Chris Cozen class with Johanna. (How's that for a bunch of links?) Not only was the class AMAZINGLY fantastic (we learned how to create special effects using Golden products) and not only was Chris the most intelligent and loveliest instructor ever, and not only was I able to pal around with the "boss" but there was great shopping as well! Someone stop me....where did this Sew Somerset come from? All I know is that my fingers have had a tingly sensation since I picked it up this afternoon...I can't wait to memorize it page by page. Oh!! Do you see what else is in that picture? The ever so elusive diamond punch! I could not believe my eyes when I saw that on the shelf!

I love painting. I love love love it. There are so many things you can do...so many!! Take a look at what I learned in my class!

See you soon!

Treat!

Today she was queen

Since I creeped everyone out yesterday, I thought I would offer a nice treat for you all today! I made the painting at the top of this post with a vintage ephemera collage background. Feel free to download and use the same background in your projects today! I'm off to a painting class..see you tomorrow!