With the harvest season underway, thoughts surrounding the upcoming winter months start creeping into our minds. Like the little foresters from the animal kingdom, we hunt, gather and stock pile goods and resources to carry us through those blustery days and never ending nights. Even out west, where the sun lingers just a little bit longer, farmers chuck corn stalks and bale hay to ensure enough heat and feed for their livestock as Mother Nature prepares the Earth for its ritual cleansing.
Children also play a special part in the maintaining of the farm land. For many little girls, whatever mommy does, she imitates with her little dolls and make believe Betty Crocker Bake set. For little boys, a plastic tool kit here, a mini tractor on the dirt driveway there, until the day he will always remember…..his first day behind the big wheel of Daddy’s Farmall Tractor!
For any child who grew up on a farm, the day Daddy put the tractor in park and called for his little boy to climb aboard was a day to remember. A Rites of Passage for many, the first tractor drive alone marked the golden transition from boy to man. After the first run, he climbed back down and stood just a little bit taller. He walked with a little more swagger, and smiled ear to ear….if even only on the inside.
J&O is pleased to announce “Farmall Toy Tractor Fleece Panel” as our #1 fabric of the week. With a 60” width per panel, this nostalgic and life like depiction of a farm boys journey into manhood is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
Made with a warm yet lightweight 100% poly-fleece material, this is the perfect fabric for wrapping up in during pumpkin hayrides, after a long day of work on the farm, or framed in your little boys room as a reflection of his own Rites of Passage.
And if farm life is not for you, that's okay too. Our 'Farmall Toy Tractor Fleece Panel' is a great material for any child who loves tractors, and any adult who's childhood memories paint images of clear blue skies, cute little chicks, big hay filled barns, and of course.... the big Farmall tractor.
As one of the largest fabric stores in South Jersey, J&O Fabrics constantly strives to meet our customers’ fabric needs, textile inquiries and crafting solutions with the first hand knowledge and general concern that over 45 years of being in the fabric business provides. Even as we move deeper into the age of technology, and new material from all around the world is being placed at our fingertips with just the click of a button, we at J&O continually strive to maintain that personal rapport with our customers that our growing family owned operation was built upon. From the teen aged novice at our local high school purchasing a few yards of the latest designer dress fabrics for the fashionable masterpiece that will ensure her a chance at fame as the next top designer in ‘Project Runway’, to the experienced interior design group from Italy that orders no less than 50 yards at a time of our top shelf tapestry and upholstery to create dream rooms for their celebrity clientele; no request is too big or too small.
To help assist us in serving our customers better, J&O has brought in some additional helping hands to offer suggestions, provide assistance, juggle the brain cells, and inform our customers on the latest changes and advancements in an ever changing industry. From Consumer Savvy Carol, who will guide us through the changing economic climate with great money saving tips and useful resources, to Go Green Gina who will help us to preserve this wonderful planet we live on while also offering an alternative to a synthetic way of life, J&O hopes to create a one-stop-shopping experience that will not only leave our customers with a cart full of wonderful fabrics, but a pocket full of FREE info and ideas to take with them along their journey.
So look for us on the world wide web, listen for us on the lips of loyal J&O customers and visit us at our brick and mortar right outside the city of Brotherly Love. We’ll be waiting to serve you!
Netfah: Ask me a question, I will tell you no lie. With so many trade terms and technological advances, it can get tricky figuring out what fabrics would work best for what projects, or even what materials you may require to complete a creative task. For the answers to these questions and so much more, simply send me an email. Each week we will select a request from our pool and post a response for our viewing audience to see. We can't guarantee we'll get to yours first, but we will do our best to get to each and every one. Just Ask Netfah....
Gina: With so much talk about going green, global warming and recycled vs reconstructed, people around the world and across America are looking to do their part in saving our planet so that she can save us. And while some fall under the misconception that we have to find a solution to world pollution on our own with just one invention, more people are realizing the answer lies in the little things we do. From recycling textiles and clothing from our shelves, to purchasing fabric made from hemp or bamboo, the power of one is very powerful indeed. Check out Go Green Gina once a week as she offers up options and suggestions for a healthier and more holistic way of living ...in the GREEN!
Carol: If you haven't been affected by the economic crisis currently plaguing the American people, then you are one of the few. But like most of us, to one degree or another, we are feeling the side affects of a dis-eased ridden empire built off the backs of many and the continual pilferage of a few.... more. To help assist us with making the most of what materials we have, or for that matter, what crafts we create, Consumer Savvy Carol is here to offer her frugal minded suggestions and creative penny pinching tips. Check her out each week and let her save you a little money.
Sewing Tip of the Week: This weekly blog is dedicated to not only our novices, but our group of expert seamstresses and upholsterers as well. With so many new fabrics and techniques popping up every day, there's always something new to learn. In this sections we will cover everything from alterations to zippers. We are not beneath the occasional short cut as well. Hand made pattern alternatives and no-sew supplies are researched and discussed. At J&O we believe our customers are some of the best crafters around. Feedback and suggestions are always welcomed!
Fabric Award of the Week: Every week J&O gets in new and fabulous fabrics that we in turn, place in our brick and mortar and on our online store for your shopping pleasure. From silky dress materials and beautiful decorative designs, to fashionable tapestries and fun novelty cotton prints, if you want it, most likely we got it. With over a thousand different fabrics to choose from, you can imagine the pressure to choose a number one pick to feature each week. But we like to keep it exciting around here, so if you are looking for what's new and hot, make sure to check out this series and always visit our New Fabric section on our website for the list of runner ups. You never know the treasures you will find!
When the Beatles arrived on American shores in 1963, their brand of Rock & Roll wasn't that far removed from the tracks laid down at Sun Studio in Memphis a few years before. By the time the Beatles were done as a group, they had taken Rock & Roll in previously unimagined directions, created a counter culture movement of revolutionary minded youths and taken America by storm! Within no time their songs became contagious hits that had men wearing long hair and protesting the American government, and crazed females from all age groups growing to unbelievable numbers. Not even the elders or the babes were immune from The Beatle virus infecting our music hungry nation. Their sound was upbeat and new, their energy was harmonious, and their look……well, let’s just say, fans far and wide had a hard time keeping their eyes off of them. From a 70 year old woman throwing her bloomers onto the stage at one of their live concerts, to a 22 year old man who wrote over 1000 love letters to each of the members in hopes to win their affections; countless stories have been told. Countless more still lay on the silent but smiling lips of our dearly departed, and in between the pages of our grandmother’s dusty diaries.
The Beatles have even made an impact on fabric too, as can be seen by the new ‘The Beatles’ series of novelty cotton fabrics found sitting right next to America’s famous Rock-n-Roll icon, Elvis Presley right here within the star filled isles of J&O Fabrics. If you are searching for an excuse to go mad and get down a bit, look no further. They’ve descended from their heavenly graves to sing for you once more with all the love they have to give. From memorable songs like ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, ‘Ticket to Ride’ and ‘Yesturday,’ to such hits as, ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Help!’, John, Paul, Ringo & George left enough iconic tunes with us to last a lifetime, and enough love, peace and happiness for the world to eat off of.
There is nothing more nostalgic as the lyrics and rhythmic sounds of an old song, and nothing as pleasing to the soul as the good vibes or mental stimulation that come along with a Beatles tune. So what are you waiting for? Beatlemania is still very much alive, urging the revolutionary and love child in you to come out and play. At the end of a Hard Day’s Night, you owe it to yourself and the millions of fans still praising their names, to resurrect the wild teenager or school girl in you and wrap yourself up in a fabricated orgy of love one more time, for old times sake!
So the Tampa Bay Rays are gearing up to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the first of seven games tomorrow night in Florida in the hopes of soon securing a final win at the 2008 World Championships when all is said and done. Not really being a baseball fan myself, the hype surrounding this phase of the games is all too distracting. I mean, everywhere I go in the Tri-State area, its Phillies this and Phillies that. I come into work and that is all people are ordering. Fifteen yards of Philly fleece here and 20 yards there; what are these people doing with all this 100% polyester stuff anyway? At some point I had to ask. Seems many recently secured tickets at unbelievable costs ($1,000 and up) for Game #2 being held right here in the City of Brotherly Love this Saturday. Others are making fun and funky paraphernalia for friends and family members who will be rooting from stadium seats while they sit snuggly at home in front of their screen televisions. From warm throws and fashionable head coverings, to comfy fanny seat cushions and wind resistant hoodies, no fan is planning to be without some form of protection as they root, root, root for their home team all the way to the BIG WIN.
As for me, while baseball itself seems like a boring sport and quite UN-entertaining for me, I must admit, I do get a rise out of the fans hype and response good, bad or indifferent to the sport, players and teams they love the most. Though you won’t catch me screaming from the stadiums as another home run is hit, nor sporting a Phillies team shirt just to follow the crowd, you might see me in the last final minutes of the ninth inning waiting for your reaction from inside the walls of J&O Fabrics, as the calls for more Phillies fleece come pouring in.
Game 1 : Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Tropicana Field, 8:35 p.m. Game 2 : Thursday, Oct, 23 at Tropicana Field, 8:29 p.m. Game 3 : Saturday, Oct. 25 at Citizens Bank Park, 8:35 p.m. Game 4 : Sunday, Oct. 26 at Citizens Bank Park, 8:29 p.m. Game 5 : Monday, Oct. 27 at Citizens Bank Park, 8:29 p.m. Game 6 : Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Tropicana Field, 8:35 p.m. Game 7 : Thursday, Oct. 30 at Tropicana Field, 8:29 p.m.
For many colleges and universities in the United States, the fall season marks not only the start of another grueling semester of papers and exams, but for many schools, the celebration of an old American tradition simply titled ‘Homecoming’.
Dating back as early as the 1920’s, this is when past residents and current alumni migrate back to their alma mater to reconnect with old friends, pep rally with new ones, rock to the battle the bands, and watch as their team kicks butt in a good old fashioned football game with the visiting university who dares to score a touchdown on their home field. Such famous homecoming rivalries as “The Iron Bowl’ (Alabama vs. Auburn), “The Game” (Harvard vs. Yale), “The Lone Star Showdown” (Texas vs. Texas A&M) and “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” (Florida vs. Georgia) draw masses of spectators and even shut down states as the two teams compete for the win that will earn them bragging rights for another season.
Some will gladly hand over the benjamin’s to gain them a seat among the wild and crazy rallying fans to watch their home team make history, while others can be found among the multitude of individuals, food vendors, beer guzzlers and party goers at the never-ending tailgate frenzy just outside. Whether there to root for #23 with the buns of steel, march in the parade, or merely to rep their college, at homecoming it’s got to be done with style and flair. From Iowa Hawkeye ribbons,Michigan Wolverine tailgate fabric, and Florida Gators fleece, to Penn State Nittany Lions cotton and Crimson Tide Panels, there’s no better way to show a little team spirit with great garments, crafts and accessories garnished in the colors that lets everyone know who’s in the house!
Here are a few links to upcoming homecoming events for 2008. Is your college on the map?
With the summer slowly coming to an end and the infamous football season already underway, wives across America are pulling out their pda’s and gearing up for their ‘girls night out’ evenings, stock piling their home pantries with all the palate pleasing couch potato necessities their husbands will require for the next several months, and purchasing cute little lace numbers for the nights when his No#1 team scores the winning touchdown in the last few minutes of the game. Ahhh, the fun of America’s favorite pastime sport! Ahh, the glory of football!
For the lucky women who have managed to capture the heart of a die hard football fan, much praise and honor are due. Most likely you didn’t see it coming until the vows were already taken and the commitment was already made. I imagine the first sign of his ‘condition’ was the 72” flat screen TV that arrived along with the wedding gifts (probably given to him from his best men). At some point, probably right after the new house was purchased, the moving truck arrived with his favorite worn out 80’s style Lazy Boy recliner from his mom’s house, you know, the one that clashes with the ultra modern leather set in your living room and is untouchable to the rest of the household. Or maybe, you saw the pink elephant in the middle of the field and chose to ignore it. Like the 12 Donavan McNabb jerseys hanging in his closet, or the countless hours logged on to the NFL Fantasy Football site throughout your courting years.
Either way, he’s a football fan, and since you are his wife, so are you, whether you want to be or not. Period. You’ll catch yourself checking the game while eating dinner at the local TGIF with your girlfriends the night the Eagles play the Giants. You’ll know the players by their colors and numbers, and some, by their tight ends. You’ll even place bets at your office pool every now and again just to see the look on your boss’s face when you score big again. With this reality on the table, here is a list of some crafty football ideas that both of you can enjoy over again throughout the crazy ups and downs of your beautiful marriage. Even if you aren’t an arts & crafts chic or an experienced seamstress, we are sure you will find something here that is not only doable, but will look cute on you. After-all, if he’s happy, everyone’s happy, right.
Take a moment to review, and then check out our collection of great NFL and College football fabrics online. You won’t be disappointed.
With the lazy, hazy days of summer slowly coming to an end, and the colorful display of autumn only a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about school again. From shopping for school supplies, to shopping for the latest fall fashions, the back-to-school ritual can be found in kindergarten classrooms and college dorms across America as students young and old stock up on the trendiest folders and backpacks, and the hottest jeans and sneakers. And what is school without books. From American history to Great English literary works, if they are not used for digesting large amounts of spoon fed material, they certainly are good for the daily graphic art entry as you dreamingly pass time waiting for the final bell to ring.
Yeah, these seemingly illegally heavy, extremely thick and often times extremely boring mandated books are the first and last thing to leave your possession once school begins, but they don’t have to be that dreaded; Especially when you have cool book marks to hold your place between studies. I don’t just mean any book mark either. I am talking about the wild and beautiful one-of-a-kind book marks hand crafted by you with the help of J&O Fabrics.
Fabric book marks you say. How ingenious! Well, maybe the concept has been around for awhile, but never before have you created your very own unique book mark with fabric from J&O; and never have you crafted one that is so reflective of the many faces of you. Until today! Why buy standard manufactured one with little or no personality, when in just a few simple steps, you can have the perfect page saver. With just a inexpensive supplies and a little imagination, your wonderful Romeo & Juliet book marker will be adorned in retro prints, extreme sports or your favorite Hannah Barbara character in no time. While these cool page savers may not make your reading any more enjoyable, they certainly will add a little color and spark to an otherwise dull page of black and white.
Supplies
Cardboard
Fabric
Elmer’s glue (or alternative fabric seam adhesive)
Scissors
Needle & thread (optional)
Decorative trim (optional)
Instructions
Step One
Cut your piece of cardboard to measure about 7” x 2”.
Step Two
Cut your piece of fabric in a large enough rectangular piece so that your cardboard marker will be able to fit inside the enclosed fabric sleeve once sewn.
Step Three
Fold your fabric in half (right side in) and sew from the top opening of the long side around to the folded end of the bottom. When completed, turn inside out so that the right side of the fabric is now on the outside. If you would prefer not to sew, place the fabric right side out. Fold the open sides of the fabric and use an alternative seam adhesive to secure the sides of your sleeve. Remember to keep one short side open to slide your cardboard piece into.
Step Four
Once cardboard is snuggly inside the fabric sleeve, secure the top by folding the edges in, and either sewing, gluing or using a fabric spray adhesive to finish it off. Add your own little decorative touch by applying fabric paint designs, attaching tassels or adhering cool mini beading and ribbon to your final design.
Now, take a step back andpat yourself on the back for a job well done. If it’s your first, it will surely not be your last. Make great book marks for all your literary works both scholastic and recreational. Even give as gifts for family and friends. Encourage the love of reading in your children with fun Angelina Ballerina and Sesame Street print book marks too. From young to old, fabric book marks are a unique and great way to personalize your cherished, or not so cherished literary works.
Norman Rockwell (Feb. 3, 1894-Nov. 8, 1978) was a 20th century American painter and illustrator. He was most famous for the over 300 published original cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for the Saturday Evening Post magazine in his forty-plus years with the popular periodical. Rockwell spent the next 10 years painting for Look Magazine where his works included more realistic issues like civil rights, exploration and politics. During his career, he was also commissioned to paint the portraits for President’s Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, as well as many prominent foreign figures too. Established as an iconic illustrator, Rockwell’s influence can be seen and felt in movies, illustration and most especially, in the neighborhoods and communities of America herself. His paintings and illustrations have even inspired a line of fabrics from notable manufacturers as an ‘ode to the man and his works.
Even though Norman Rockwell’s images of everyday people doing every day things are considered nostalgic and inviting, much of his work was dismissed by art critics along the way. The judgment that his depictions were overly idealistic portrayals of American life, gave his collection of art the defaming title of “Rockwellesque”. Despite such opinions, in 1977, Rockwell received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal, as well as over a decade of accolades for his fruitful and highly recognized portfolio of work.
A listing of just a few of his famous works are listed below.
Scout at Ship's Wheel (1913) (first published magazine cover illustration, Boys Life, September 1913)
Boy and Baby Carriage (1916) (First Saturday Evening Post Cover)
Tain't You (1917) (First Life Magazine Cover)
Cousin Reginald Goes to the Country (1917) (First Country Gentleman Cover)
Mother Tucking Children into Bed (1921) (First Wife Irene Is the Model)
Doctor and Doll (1929)
The Four Freedoms (1943)
Saying Grace (1951)
Golden Rule (1961)
The Problem We All Live With (1964)
Southern Justice (Murder in Mississippi) (1965)
The Rookie
If you are fan of Norman Rockwell like I am, check out some of his fabricated works of art. The limited collection is now available here at J&O just for you. Printed on 100% cotton fabric with as much detail and design as he emits onto his painted canvas, you are sure to be pleased. Create great novelty crafts and customized quilts with this nostalgic and memorable fabric.
It’s Halloween, and the children are all dressed up in their hand-crafted, store bought or make-shift costumes waiting for the festivities of the day to begin. Perfect Peggy is practicing for the bobbing for apples contest that could win her first place and an extra bag of treats. Little Johnny is placing a ‘kick me’ sign on the back of loud mouthed Marvin’s cowboy vest in hopes to see some great responses from his classmates. And Simple Sally is all giggles as she juggles oranges in her Homey the Clown outfit.
Before the festivities begin, the teacher has all the children gather together to make holiday crafts. Today’s project is Halloween cards. A simple assignment involving poster board, glue, markers, crayons and an assortment of holiday fabric; these cards will make a great gift to bring home for family and friends.
To start, the teacher hands each student an 8½ x 11” sheet of manila poster board. This will be the foundation for the card. The poster board is folded in half to look like a blank card. In each card, the teacher has the student write their own personal message to their friend or loved one for the holiday.
Next, the teacher supplies the class with an assortment of colorfully printed Halloween and harvest fabrics to select for the cover of their cards. From funny monsters, haunted houses, and scary witches to flaming skulls, dancing ghouls and jak-o-lanterns, there is something for every kiddy bopper in the room. Big Betty finds a Betty Boop Halloween fabric that she says reminds her of herself, well, at least her name. While Gentle Jane nurtures her soft spot for cats with a black cat and pumpkin fabric.
With a good pair of children’s scissors and some Elmer’s Glue, the children cut and paste images from their fabric, and in some cases, the whole piece, right onto the poster board. The teacher encourages her students to let their imagination run wild as they combine different prints and designs into a collage fashion across the 8 x 5 ½” card cover. Some wrote “Happy Halloween” on the top half and placed their material on the bottom, while others cut out individual creatures of the night and created a spread of horror around their blank canvas to make unique works of art. At the end of the day, each child had a truly one-of-a-kind Halloween card masterpieces to bring home with them.
Here’s Sweet Susan’s card. She said it reminded her of her and her twin brother Shawn. Maybe later on when the sun has cast her warm orange glow across the sky, and the bright moon has awoken to offer his light in the dark night sky, they will go out trick-or-treating in merry fashion.
