A few times a year, I swap crafts with my girlfriends. We each choose one thing to make and then make multiples of it to swap with each other. After successfully making my first rope basket, I decided to make smaller versions for the swap. I swear this is so fast, fun and easy. Also, addictive! Just ask Blair.

This time, I used a 1/4" twisted cotton rope instead of the braided clothesline I used for my first one. I love the way it looks. I bought it from Knot and Rope Supply. The quality is wonderful and it came quite speedily. Plus, because you purchase the rope by the foot, you can get any length you want, instead of being stuck with a set pre-packaged length.

While I was stitching this group of baskets, Fatty made a simple comment that had my mind swirling with possibilities. Suffice it to say that I'm not done with these yet. No way. I'm ordering more rope.

Finally, a finish.

Because I made this quilt for our church and school's annual carnival, it needed a name. My friend, Jill, came up with Melon Crush so there it is. Quite a good fit, if you ask me.

The prints are Cloud 9 for JoAnn's and the solids are a mix of Kona (Snow and Buttercup) and Moda (Steel, Amelia Orange, Tea Rose and Carribbean). The back is the Carribbean with a patchwork strip of the various prints. The finished size is 54" square, big enough for cuddling under the couch and not too big that it is cumbersome. I used white thread for the quilting. Again, I went for the loop to loop design, albeit on a much larger scale. (I know that I promised a tutorial for that method and I will do it. Really, I will!) The quilt ended up going home with one of my neighbors. Cool, huh?

In other news, the AC is fixed and that means I can put the studio back together! I'm slowly working to get everything in order. It's a little overwhelming because as I do it, I am trying to figure out how best to use the space. I am also trying to organize my fabric as I take it back into the studio. I'm de-stashing anything that I don't think I'll use. I think that I'll bundle up smaller pieces in color-themed bundles and sell the larger pieces separately.  What do you think? And scrap bags. I will have those, too. Realistically, I probably won't have everything ready until late August, but I will be sure to let you know here when it's ready.

Also, we had these fish tacos last night. Excellent and easy.

Hi there. We escaped to the mountains, spending a week in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone. It was glorious - the mountains, the lakes, the wildlife AND being off the grid. No TV, no phone, no wifi. Perfect.

Right before we left, the robins hatched. When we came home, the nest was empty. I'm feeling blessed to have seen this little slice of new life.

Without electronic distrations while we were gone, I read 6 books. Here's a list in case you are looking for some summer reading. I recommend them all.

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton Disclafani

The Last Summer of the Camperdowns by Elizabeth Kelly

The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls

The Light Between Two Oceans by M. L. Stedman

Have you read anything recently that you'd recommend? I'm always looking for a good book. Or three.

In other news, everything in the studio has been painted - floors (!), walls, ceilings, trim and new built-ins. I'm getting ready to move everything back in (as soon as our A/C gets fixed - can you say HOT?!?) and plan on doing some de-stashing within the next month so stay tuned. I've also got a handful of projects that I'm finishing this week so I should have some goodies to share with you soon.