Summer is always a little eventful around here—but this year has been extra special. My Aunt Jenny and Uncle Don, who live all the way up in Alaska, have been visiting us since mid-May and will be here through mid-July. Aunt Jenny is my mother’s sister, and since she and Uncle Don have been married for 59 years, I’ve never really known one without the other.
Growing up, their visits were a big deal—never a quick stop, always a full-fledged family reunion. They’d stay for weeks at a time, and our home would overflow with laughter, good food, and people coming and going to soak up every minute of family time. Truth be told, I knew my Alaskan cousins better than the ones I’ve lived within 20 miles of all my life. And if you were wondering: yes, there’s always homemade ice cream involved. 🍨
While I do have some culinary skills, I’m usually found with my face buried in a computer screen these days—but the rest of the kitchen is buzzing with scratch-made favorites and the occasional nostalgic treat. More on that in a minute...
🧵 Summer at Crossed Hearts
It’s also been a wonderfully busy summer at Crossed Hearts Needlework & Design—thank you for keeping me on my toes! Orders have been coming in steadily, and I’m so grateful to all of you who’ve found joy, comfort, or a bit of creative sparkle through stitching.
To celebrate the season, we’re currently running a few special discounts:
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⭐ 20% off our Patriotic Collection – All your red, white, and blue favorites!
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☀️ 15% off sitewide – That’s right, everything!
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🧺 10% off kits – Every day, always!
And yes, these discounts stack! So the smart cookies among you are walking away with some very sweet deals. (We love a savvy stitcher.)
🍒 A Taste of Summer Nostalgia
We don’t have our traditional 4th of July gatherings like we used to, now that all of our elders have passed on—but the memories still linger sweetly. Every year, we’d gather at Aunt Maud Ella’s farm for a good old-fashioned picnic with everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to baked beans, a slew of salads, and of course… Jello.
Here's a classic that my Grandma made especially for Lyndsey when she was a little girl (and the rest of us if we were quick enough to grab a square):
💎 Broken Glass Jello (Stained Glass Jello)
A patchwork of brightly colored cubes in a creamy base, all set in a graham cracker crust. Grandma’s version was always the first to disappear!
Here’s a version that matches hers pretty closely:
Stained Glass Jello with Graham Cracker Crust
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3–4 colors of Jello (your choice—red, blue, green, yellow all work great)
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1 envelope unflavored gelatin (we use the Knox brand)
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1 can sweetened condensed milk
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Graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
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Prepare each Jello flavor separately using only 1 cup boiling water per box (don’t add cold water).
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Pour into separate containers and chill until firm (at least 4 hours or overnight).
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Cut Jello into small cubes and gently mix them together.
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In a separate bowl, dissolve unflavored gelatin in ½ cup boiling water. Cool slightly, then stir in sweetened condensed milk. Let cool to room temperature.
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Carefully fold Jello cubes into the milk mixture and pour into your crust.
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Chill until set—slice and serve to squeals of delight.
I hope your summer is full of sweet memories, whether they’re new or lovingly stitched from the past. Stay cool, keep stitching, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something red, white, and beautiful.
Happy 4th of July, friends!
💙 Shelly