Cross and Crown Quilt

This is my most recent finish. I took it outside to photograph the evening I finished it. It was almost too dark to get good pics.

 So I took it out again today in the sun.

Fabric is by Lella Boutique.  Pattern is a free one I found online by Sandra Clemons.  It was so time-consuming!  I am not used to that much precision, having to trim each corner piece of each block.  After trimming the triangle pieces before that.  Goodness!  I was making it for my nephew's wedding, but the couple broke up and called the wedding off.  His fiancé had given me a picture of some soft blues and greens and I found a fat quarter pack with those, and other soft colors.  I'm not really crazy about the colors.  Now I've got to decide what to do with it.  Should I sell it?  I've never sold a quilt. Should I give it to our annual church auction that raises funds for the youth ministry?  That is what I'm leaning towards.  Or should I gift it to a friend that I have already promised a quilt to.  But, I have another idea for that quilt and have plenty of time to make it before Christmas.

I was also looking forward to continuing the tradition my grandmother started when she gave my brother and his new bride a handmade quilt about 27 years ago.  "Now, if you two break up, HE gets the quilt!"  At the time we thought that was hilarious, but now I think it is completely appropriate!  If I give my nephew a quilt I've spend 60-70 hours working on, I want it to stay with him.

Other life tidbits.....we've been pretty busy this summer and did some canning.  We put up about 16 half pints of blackberry jam.  It is so easy to make and yummy, even if you leave the seeds in.

 Also canned about 15 half pints of sweet pickles.  We love these. Although this was the first year ever I had to throw out some after the two week salt water soak.  Not sure if I had too many in my bucket and not enough salt or what??

 We made a quick trip to Nashville a couple weekends ago to go to a wedding shower for my husband's niece.  That was fun.

 I recently discovered these.  Have you tried them yet?  Oh my, they are delicious!  Like eating a real candy bar, and with 16 grams of protein and only 3 grams of sugar.

 The kids had some warm weather in Cambridge this summer and my Emma has learned to put her face in the water and 'swim'.  She is also reading at 5years old!  It seems they start school about a year before most do here in America.

This girl has personality plus!  And her little brother is the sweetest, easy going little guy.  Love these two so very much.

So that's the news from our home to yours. Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Rachel