J&O Fabrics Store Newsletter

If you’re anything like me, these days I’m sure you find yourself cringing in the supermarkets isles. Sometimes I think I’d be better off taking advantage of the dollar menu at the nearest fast food restaurant. Times are tough right now for the average family and as a Mom, I know I feel responsible for making every dollar stretch as far as possible. Sometimes it’s challenging not to take the easy way out. But there are lots of creative choices we can make to stretch our dollars. Maybe all it takes is a shift in our perceptions of a more simplified reality.

I am sure I’m not the only one holding onto colorful pieces of cotton, denim and bark cloth. Not to mention trims and other various embellishments. Next time you’re not so little one puts on those jeans and they just aren’t long enough anymore, try adding some length with a 2” scrap of fabric, or a few fabric strips sewn together. While you’re at it you can make it into a fun project. Cut pieces of the design (even team logos) attach a little heat bond and iron on the design to the garment. Bonding these cut designs works great on a tee that has become stained or worn from too much wear.

Speaking of fabric scraps. Since we are one of the largest fabric stores in the Tri-State area, we carry totes and totes of these colorful, funky and fancy ¼ yard pieces that literally collect over the years. They sit here taking up space and not paying towards the rent. They want to be put to use, but have been made to feel like they are only good for one thing…..nostalgic memories of craft projects done long ago or worse yet…..unfinished projects!!

With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to rethink your gift giving ideas. When my daughter was born she received many beautiful gifts, but which one does she still wrap her baby dolls in? The crib quilt that her Aunt Sue handmade for her, and me, I still have the “Jingle Bell Jack” my mom made me from scraps. More commonly referred to now as YO-YO dolls, gifts made from the heart last a lifetime.

Whatever you do with your time, energy, and resources is up to you. But if you want to make memories and keep a little extra cash in your pocket, consider the creative power of the imagination…enjoy and encourage the artist in you to flourish!

To check out some of our really cool novelty cotton fabrics click here!

To check out our selection of holiday fabrics click here!

To see the latest childrens' fabric click here!

Until next time, this is Consumer Savvy Carol signing off!

Posts by J&O Fabrics Store

Labels: 1960's fabric, back to school crafts, conservative, cotton fabric, cotton prints, crafts, fleece gifts, frugal, holiday crafts, holiday prints, novelty cotton, thrifty, yo yo crafts

What is it about a 1960’s series Volkswagen bus that makes thoughts of ‘love, peace and happiness’ come to mind? Why do we secretly search for some all telling bumper sticker to reveal whether the driver has ‘been there’ and celebrated along with thousands of others, the infamous Summer of 69’event that reshaped music and society forever? And where, oh where did the long haired man behind the wheel of that royal blue baby get those awesome retro window dressings?

Questions like these are likely to bear a multitude of responses and conjure up a plethora more of nostalgic memories and stories that take us back to an era where we were our brothers keepers, liberation was the key and love was the new revolution. This baby boomer generation had something to say and found healing in the release. From their creative mouths came meaningful songs of unity and freedom. From the deep recesses of their idealistic minds came powerful written works, and from their crafty hands came unimaginable ART.

When one of our customers sent us an email showcasing makeover pics of his treasured good as new 1960’s VW caravan on wheels, the first thing that came to our mind was…”cool”! Cool as in creative, cool as in crafty, cool as in Mod-squad-funky-retro-psychedelic-how-can-I-get-some-for-the-interior upholstery-of-my-1969-yellow-VW-Baja-Bug-cool. When I found out that he searched online and found it on our very own website http://www.jofabrics.com/ , I had to go into our vast warehouse of fabrics and check it out for myself. I was delighted to not only find this abstract swirl of heaven, but yards and yards of fun, eclectic and colorful novelty cottons, decorative prints, and fashionable upholstery just waiting to bring some love & life back into this little car of mine.

Now I’m not saying that everybody who lived and survived the 1960’s era chooses willingly or unwillingly to carry a lifelong ‘hippy’ membership card and the desire to create as they please, but if they could all hold on to the beautiful piece of free-love-expression that was found there, then maybe the world would be a better place. And maybe we would see more cool looking crafty cars like the one J&O Fabrics helped to decorate…..with LOVE!