mom-6

If it were my luggage, I would get some bright colored acrylic fabric paint and put some sort of quilt block design on it.

karate lady

I have patterened luggage, but so do a lot of others. smile..so I have some very sparkly xmas string on all the handles. Not big enough to interfer with machnes, but easy to spot. I love the design ideas.

Quilt Novice

I have put short pieces of ribbon on all my zippers and handles. I then also put a piece on my purse that really helped me when my luggage was lost. I just showed the ribbon to the lost luggage people and they found it right away. The woman thanked me for showing her. Another option is stickers just make sure they are all the same.

Slow2Sew

Brightly colored ribbon tied on the handles worked well for us when traveling abroad. I also like Quilt Novice's advice to tie the same ribbon to your purse.

Snorky Lvs2Quilt

If you have bright colored yarn, make yourself some large pompoms and attach to the handles of your luggage. We go to Hawaii a lot and also have black luggage. I made pompoms out of bright red/orange/yellow yarns and they stand right out. Can't miss them!! And they surprisingly stay attached.

caspharm

How about sewing some blocks and gluing them onto luggage? I did put colored fabric around the handles of our suitcases when we went to Europe last year.

Definitely need to buy TSA locks. If TSA opens them, they usually show a color change in a little window, so you can reset them.

Also, like others have said, load up the kindle - I believe there are also e-versions of quilting books, but there are games and such for the kindle.

Australia is a wonderful country. Have a great time. I visited Cairns a couple of years ago on a cruise. Don't forget it is winter down there - check the country's weather (their weather is opposite of ours), so pack appropriately.

quiltmom04

I always make a strip of a bright fabric I love ( so I recognize it quickly), and tie it in the handle. I can spot it every time!

PurplePassion

Make sure you get up and walk around often.It is a long trip and you don't want to get stiff from sitting . Enjoy the beautiful country.

Alu_Rathbone

My study abroad program is giving me bright colored tags for my bags.

I leave when it's Spring there. My area happens to be that one area where it doesnt really fall below 55 in the winter or spring, which is cool. I can't wait to go! I'm hoping to get a kindle! Mom has one, but I don't want to take that from her. We'll see.

Suzan88

I saw one with 'Not your's; Mine" on a tag. I'll bet that worked. I make luggage labels in an unusual fabric and tie them to the handles of each piece of luggage, including the carry on items.
You could make yourself a small hand piecing kit and while away an hour or two making hexagons for English piecing. I also take a small knitting project - usually socks - which is great if the flight is delayed at all because I find it relaxing and I have something useful at the end of the trip.