Cardiac Collage Afghan, Peruzzi Leather Purse, and Toilet Paper Rolls for Halloween

Cardiac Collage got a vacation while I was tarveling recently in Italy.  But, there is now the beginnings of the 7th square so it's coming a long.  Whether it will end up being a 9 square or 12 square ghan remains to be seen.  My current plan is to make 9...see how I like it and whether adding more to the existing squares or adding more squares is the way to go.  Since this is without a pattern....it truly evolves.  Once completed it will be donated through my charity, Bridge and Beyond to benefit the Homeless.

What's a trip without souvenirs?  Not sure I'm able to answer that question.  I'm a person who dislikes buying purses.  They either all look the same, are too big, too heavy, or too expensive...or don't have good pockets or something.  For years, I had stopped buying leather or pretend leather purses due to the weight on my shoulders and got "into" Vera Bradley's cloth purses.  But, while the prints are fun....they almost always clash with what you're wearing.  AND the particular style I liked they stopped making.  Florence, Italy is known for fine leather goods, hand crafted, durable, fashionable etc.  Guccio Gucci was a Florentine.  Even in antiquity, leather making was a big thing in Florence.  In part, because of the Arno River.  Tanning leather was a messy job, and a smelly job.  Lots of water was necessary in the process of doing the work and in cleaning up afterwards.  Peruzzi has been making fine leather goods in Florence since 1948.  I love this purse, it's not heavy on my shoulders, it's not large or small..a good inbetween size.  The strap is very adjustable to be a cross body or over the shoulder.  Italy has been the #1 country on my bucket list, so was pretty excited to travel there.  Been blogging about it with lots of pictures on my travel blog.  Traveling Suitcase.  Come travel virtually with me.

AND, yet another idea for you with re-using, re-purposing, and re-cycling your toilet paper rolls.  Just in time for Halloween.  Isn't this a cleaver idea!  Those of you with your children at home ought to get a kick out of this.

I love a Good Vera Bradley Sale

Got this order a while ago, took the picture but forgot to post. I am not a shopper. I do not like to shop, except for yarn. But, shopping on line suits me fine and dandy. All of these prints are the older prints and therefore they are actually reasonably priced. I refuse to buy a full price new print bag. This though was a good haul. It was $101. and some odd cents. AND free shipping. The order needed to be $100.00 to get the free shipping. lol 3 purses and 2 glass holders. The purse on the far right is a print my daughter likes and so I shipped it to her. It's also a smaller bag which I believe is what she told me she liked. The glass holders I needed but was surprised. The blue and green one is called sunglass case and really is a nice size (I can put 2 pair in there). It's zippered and I wish I had gotten 2 in that style. The black and gold one is titled double, and is suppose to hold 2 pair...........NO WAY. In fact one large pair barely fits. I should probably return it, but don't want to hassle with it. Would not order that style again.

The blue and green bag in the middle, I'm test driving. It's a bit smaller than I thought by looking at it on line, it's well made and has a couple of features they don't have in the other bags which I like...double zipper, and a clip for your keys; but all the slots inside are too small. This was the original purse/bag. Perhaps a cell phone fit back when they were smaller and flip phones were in?

The primary bag I wanted is the black and brown one, called The Morgan. I have this style and LOVE it. Bought it while vacationing in Hilton Head at 50% off....once again because it's an older print. The bag isn't really large, but holds alot. I love the 2 large slanted outside pockets which are actually big enough to hold a water bottle.