Show Us Your Life - Singles Day - Meet Jonathan

I have followed Kelly's Korner for a while now and have followed several rounds of Singles Day.  I can't believe I can finally join in and introduce you to my cousin, Jonathan!   (Pardon the fact that I'm hijacking this crafty blog of mine.  Our family blog is private, so I'm taking over my crafty space for one day!)

I mentioned the Show Us Your Life Singles Day to Jonathan a few months ago and was so happy when he told me to go for it!  You just never know who might read this and how the Lord might work through this simple online introduction.  So here we go!

Jonathan is 34 and lives in Greenville, SC.  He works in IT with the county school system and has been in this area for four years.  He's originally from New Jersey, graduated from Campbell University, and has lived in the Carolinas since then.  His easy going personality made him a perfect fit in the South.  That, and his love of sweet tea!  He is an animal lover, likes to cook and try new recipes, and keeps up with all the techy/computer/gaming stuff that I know nothing about.

With his niece.

This may sound cliche, but I couldn't be more genuine when I say Jonathan is one of the nicest people I know.  Everyone in our family agrees, too!  He is kind and patient, a natural teacher, and he has an effortless way of just simply fitting in and helping out wherever he is needed. 

Jonathan is more like a brother to me than a cousin.  I was so excited when I found out he was moving to Greenville a few years ago and we could be closer to each other.  Having family close by is such a blessing.  We enjoy dinners together and he is so great with our two-year-old daughter.  He is her favorite babysitter and it brings me such joy to watch him read stories to her, play games, and just love her like crazy.

Having fun with my daughter.

With his niece and nephew at the beach.

 

With his mom.

If you are reading this and interested in contacting Jonathan you can email him at jonathan@waldchen.net or leave a comment below about how to contact you.

Special Request

Amy gave me some extra fabric this summer hoping I would make a pair of pants and jumper top for Little E.  I was excited to pull this together and love the fabric she chose.  Both prints are a lightweight corduroy perfect for fall.

Soft Texture Book

I co-hosted a baby shower at the end of the summer with a baby book theme, so the girls encouraged me to try making a fabric texture book as my gift. It was time consuming, but oh so fun and the new mama-to-be was just thrilled with it. She was secretly hoping I would sew something!

I combined the concept from two different tutorials to make the book. First, I used this tutorial from Everyday Celebrations as the inspiration for the theme using various colors and textures.

 

Then I followed the tutorial from Lella Boutique for the construction of the book itself. I chose 10 colors so I would have 12 pages total including front and back covers and then I did the rag edges to finish it. 

Jeans and Tunic Top

I knew I would sew something for Baby K's first birthday, but it wasn't until a few days ago when her mom commented on the ruffled jeans I made when I knew this had to be it.  I also made a peasant style tunic top to make it a complete outfit.

 

Although here is proof that I sometimes have to make this stuff up as I go along.  I misjudged the width of the sleeves and didn't have fabric or time to redo them.  I was ready to toss it in the trash when my best friend encouraged me to just figure out something because she knew I could.  I knew I needed to add a band of fabric to increase the width/circumference of the sleeve, but didn't want the inset panel of fabric to look pointless so I added these cute little pleats.  A contrasting fabric would have worked, too, but I didn't have anything that really went with this dark pink.  I am thrilled with how the pleats turned out.  I hope K likes them, too : )

Peasant Dress

I just love a sweet peasant dress as a tunic or dress this time of year.  I paired this one with her ruffled jeans in our family pictures yesterday and couldn't be happier with the result!  Thanks to Liz Davison of Yellow Umbrella Photography for this image.  Tutorial for the peasant dress found via Prudent Baby.

Valances

I finished two more valances for Mom and Dad's new house this week and Dad was kind enough to hang them right away. I'm sure there will be more at some point, but Mom is taking her time with decorating decisions. A blank slate gives you a lot of choices. I don't blame her!

 It's hard to pick a favorite, but I think this embroidered silk, slate gray fabric may squeak out the win. This is in the guest bedroom with the blue gray walls and white furniture. I love it.

And this bold indigo and off white pattern is in the little woman's room with its gray walls and white furniture. Very sharp. And yes, it's called her room : )

Sweet and Sour Chicken

We have been in Greenville several years and have never found our favorite, go-to, perfect Sunday night, I don't want to cook, Chinese take out.  And now it looks like we won't have to.  I found a new recipe for sweet and sour chicken and it was incredible!  It's not exactly healthy, but I don't think General Tso's chicken really falls in that category either.  I did serve the chicken with forbidden rice and stir fried broccoli, peppers, and bok choy.