Sunday July 26, 2009 marked this years 15th Annual Parents Day. Recognized since 1994 and celebrated throughout the United States with award ceremonies, dinners, conferences and communal gatherings, Parents Day was originally created to acknowledge, honor, uplift and support moms and dads in their often overlooked roles in the lives of their children.
Targeting, but not excluding the roles of the elders and surrogate parents that exist in many communities, Parents Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the investment, commitment and energy given to the children in the attempt to equip and prepare them for tomorrows world.
Often wearing many hats, parents not only take on the responsibility of acting as role models, but as doctors, mentors, nutritionists, educators, therapists, taxi drivers and stylists in the seemingly never ending journey into their childrens adulthood.
In honor of Parents Day and all those who play an active and positive role in the life of a child, J&O Fabrics offers a plethora of child themed fabrics and prints as well as a beautiful selection of men and women inspired designs for the provider in all of us. Hats off to our mamas and papas today and everyday!
Check out our novelty childrens fabric here.
Check out our novelty dad fabric here.
Check out our novelty mom fabric here
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: children-fabric, conservative, frugal, men-fabric, novelty-fabric, parents-day, parents-day-2009, women-fabric
From the day Michael was born, the stars revealed that he was a child destined for greatness. with a gift for tripping the light fantastic and an angelic voice to match. And ever since the 'King of Pop' met his fate less than three weeks ago, not a day has gone by where I do not see an article surrounding his life and death, hear an interview with one of his many friends and fans, or catch someone speaking about some aspect of his journey that has made him the icon and legend that he will go down in history as being.
While I could care less about all the gossip surrounding his final hours and the many conspiracy theories that have surfaced along the way, I will admit, he was truly a testament to the power of one. Whether it was his humanitarian efforts, his knack for creating truly amazing dance moves, his beautiful God given voice, his attraction to the innocence of the youth, or his somewhat delusional yet idealistic vision for world peace and unity, Michael Jackson was a pop culture sensation who not only touched the lives of Americans, but the world over.
In ode to the child, the man, and the legacy, I would like to dedicate these selected fabrics inspired by one, shared by many, and found right here in between the colorful isles of J&O. One day he too will sit alongside The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Sinatra and Betty Boop in our fabric row of fame and tribute to some of our most popular entertainers of their time. Though many are born unique and die as copies, Michael Jackson was surely not one of them.
My Tribute (found at J&O)
A nostalgic print that reminds me of the childhood Michael never had and the innocence of the youth he tried to salvage inside.
One of the Jackson 5 greatest hits, "ABC" easy as 123. I like this one especially because it is actually an African print fabric reminding me of Michaels ancestral roots that despite his issues with his own appearance, he never forgot.
"The Wizard of Oz" circa 1939, featuring Judy Garland as Dorothy and Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow.
"The Wiz" circa 1978, staring Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson himself as the Scarecrow who thought he was stupid....imagine that!
Disco lights, eighties print, dancing girls...need I say more? Shes a 'Dance Machine' and Michael wants to 'Rock With You' all night long. He is the King of Pop with the moves and the tunes to get the party jumping, even now.
Compared to the late great Elvis Presley who went down in history as the King of Rock-and-Roll, both became phenomenons of their generation with unique moves that record hitting tunes.
Who could forget the collaborations between Michael and Paul McCartney of the Beatles. "Say, Say, Say " what you want about Pauls success, but after 10 months of negotiations, Michael walked away with the rights to a large amount of compositions recorded by the Beatles for a small price of $47.5 million
Bubbles??
No, Bubbles !!
You remember the pet chimp right?
What is white, made its first debut in the Michael Jackson video of 1983 entitled "Billie Jean", and fits like a
glove?
It is not made of Swavorski diamonds, but maybe sequins will do.
When Michaels video for "Thriller" was released on December 2, 1983, the world stopped what it was doing to watch the 14 minute choreographed horror film homage full of dancing zombies and a very scared Ola Ray. Listed as the most successful music video in the Guinness World Records 2006, "Thriller" was and still is my absolute favorite video of all time.
While "Butterflies" was the name of one of Michaels 2001 singles off the "Invincible" album, it is also the name of the insect symbolic with transition. The caterpillar undergoes a long metamorphosis into a butterfly, only to live with its new beautiful wings for a very short time.
Inspired by the craziness Michael must have felt in his loneliness.
At the height of his fame, Michael was worth millions.
But, with more money comes more problems.
It has been said that money cant by you happiness.
I think they are right.
When vegetarians were an anomaly, environmental issues were hardly a headline, and being in the green meant you had money in your pockets, Michael was banning meat from his diet, donating thousands towards global issues and striving to preserve Mother Earth for tomorrows children.
Speaking of tomorrows children, who loved the children more than Michael? I know the accusations and talk, but I think in his own sad and idealistic way, he lived through the innocence of the children. His devotion
and financial contributions to charities worldwide throughout his life speak for themselves.
Michael loved life and shared his with the world until he made his transition. A misunderstood and troubled man of few words, Michael moved mountains through his music and devotion to his higher purpose; to uplift and unify humanity through song.
Labels: children-fabric, cotton-novelty-fabric, elvis-presley, elvis-presley fabric, michael-jackson, michael-jackson-fabric, novelty-fabric, the beatles-fabric
Before George W. Bush left office, the former U.S. President proclaimed June 6th as National Childs Day. Similar to National Childrens Day proclaimed by ex-president Bill Clinton in 2000; this is a day set aside to honor the children of America and show our gratitude to those who work hard support them including, parents, teachers, community and spiritual leaders, surrogate moms and dads, and various youth organizational volunteers. This day serves as a reminder to all of us that our commitment to the children helps make our country and future a better place.
There is an old saying that reminds us that all work and no play makes one boring and gray. In case this proves to be true for you, what better time to re-awaken the child inside and celebrate along with the little people not only on June 6th, but 365 days of the year. With a little more laughter, a little more play, and a little more imagination, we can tap into the fountain of youth and stay young at heart forever.
Today and in all days, celebrate life. For what better gift to the world than a child!
Labels: child-celebration, children-fabric, childrens-flannel-fabric, childrens-fleece-fabric, childrens-novelty-fabric, diva fabric, Fabric, fabrics, national-childrens-day, sport-fabric
Dear Netfah,
I am starting a children's clothing company and am thinking about including a sleepwear line. I live in Alaska and though global warming has taken its toll on our environment, it is still quite cold here year round. I wanted to use polyester fleece for the sleepwear line and was just wondering about flame retardancy on the fabric. I know there are laws that require it be put on manufactured synthetic childrens night wear, but is it already on the fabric when I buy it or do I have to have it professionally applied?
- Nancy, Anchorage AK
Dear Nancy,
Fleece fabric is usually made from polyester. Polyester (fleece) is a synthetic material that when touched by flames, melts instead of burning causing the fabric to melt onto the skin instead of charring. This instensifies the burn and in order to remove the melted material, the skin often is removed along with it as well. Because of this, manufacturer regulations require that all children's sleepwear be 'flame retardant'.
In reference to your inquiry regarding whether or not polyester fabric itself is treated with a flame retardant, the answer is NO. Like most fabrics, it is sold without the applications. Only when the fabrics are manufactured into garments does the law step in and regulate what is required before selling. Recently, due to the level of toxicity in children from the chemicals in fire retardant applications, the government is reviewing this requirement. For more information regarding those up to date regulations check out http://www.osha.gov/. With concerns of global warming and eco-friendly / baby-friendly goods, you might want to consider a natural fabric like organic cotton or wool that burns instead of melting and does not require the same applications as the fleece. Natural material, no chemicals, happier babies. Sounds like a great slogan for a childrens clothing line if I do say so my self.
Check out J&O's warm selection of natural wool fabric here! Check out J&o's great selection of assorted polar fleece here!
Labels: ask netfah, children-fabric, children-fleece, childrens-sleepwear, fire-safety, flame retardant regulations, sleepwear, toxic-fabrics