 On September 14, 2009, President Barack Obama officially proclaimed October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month designating the next 30 days as a time to remember loved ones lost, advocate for those still enduring, and educate communities as a whole to bring awareness and prevention to an issue that has historically been met with varying response by not only the victims, but society and law enforcement as well. From impoverished Indian child wives in Bangledesh, to high class European celebrity wives in Hollywood, domestic violence affects men, women, and children across the board on both an intimate and global level as well. According to a number of counselors, and those running shelters for victims of domestic violence, it seems a weakening economy leads to more incidents of violence against domestic partners. So it is to no surprise that an increase in such cases is being reported across the nation as our countrys lingering recession continues to take its toll on households and individuals alike (especially in our already financially oppressed communities) The added stress and threat from layoffs, foreclosures and general lack of finances is enough to make anyone loose their temper, especially when the right tools and resources are not at their disposal. Fast Facts from 2008 domestic abuse statistics1. Women are 84% of spouse abuse victims and 86% of victims of abuse at the hands of a boyfriend or girlfriend. 2. American Indian and Alaskan Native women experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence. 3. Three-fourths of the persons who commit family violence are male. 4. Approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. 5. In a single day in 2008, 16,458 children were living in a domestic violence shelter or transitional housing facility. Another 6,430 children sought services at a non-residential program. 6. Women who have experience domestic violence are 80% more likely to have a stroke, 70% more likely to have heart disease, 60% more likely to have asthma, and 70% more likely to drink more heavily than women who have not experienced intimate partner violence. 7. Modern technology such as the world wide web, have made it EXTRA easy for stalkers, estranged spouses and abusive partners to target and locate their victims. 8. On average more than 3 woman are murdered each day at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends. 9. There were 248,300 rapes/sexual assaults in the United States in 2007, up from 190,600 in 2005. That is an average of 500 rapes / sexual assaults on women per day in this country alone. 10. The United Nations Development Fund for Women estimates that at least one of every three women globally will be beaten, raped, or otherwise abused during their lifetime. In most cases, the abuser is a member of her own family. In honor of all our mothers, sisters and daughters who have fallen victim at the hands of their abusers, are serving time for defending themselves from their abusers, or who are fighting as we speak to free themselves from the same ones who claim to love them for better or worse, J&O Fabrics offers a selection of purple fabric to make symbolic purple ribbons, purple garments, purple crafts, anything purple.... for the cause. References: http://www.ndvh.org/http://www.domesticviolence.org/http://www.dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C61/Labels: cotton-fabric, domestic-violence, national-domestic-violence-awareness-month, purple-fabric
 When I was a child, I can remember gathering during the holidays and throughout the year for various special family affairs here and there. I remember getting big wet kisses from my tissue toting grandmother, and funny tap dancing salutations from my green eyed grandfather. And though I was raised to be seen and not heard in the company of adults, I always had an extended ear, eager to gather tid bits of information that I would store away for the perfect day I would need that little voice of wisdom, or carry it in the forefront of my mind until the moment I could question its source and validity. As time went on and the older generation of my family started to make their transition back home, I found myself foresting for information and relationships that would keep the ties that separated yet binded my peers from that of my grandparents going strong. Once I reached womanhood and had children of my own, the lack of community and the fast pace life demanded us to live, challenged the reconnection of the two generations I strived to forge. Communication in the form of special occasion greeting cards and periodic phone calls were the memories being created, and long gone were the days of wisdom walks in the parks and handed down stories from the Talking Drums.  September 13, 2009 marks this years Grandparents Day and the the 31st anniversary of signing of the proclamation by Ex-President Jimmy Carter that turned West Virginia housewife Marian McQuades vision into a national holiday. With Marians primary motivation set at championing the cause of the lonely elderly in nursing homes, she inspired grandchildren, communities and eventually the nation, to tap into the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents...and pass it on. Marian beleived that to honor grandparents, give grandparents the opportunity to show love for their childrens children, and to help children become more aware of the strength, information and guidance that the older generation have to offer, the youth will feel nurtured and the communities will be strengthened. Through intergenerational interaction, knowledge and wisdom are exchanged, one conversation at a time. The late and great Honorable Bob 'Nesta' Marley shared it best in his song Real Situation where he states, " once a man, twice a child; and everything is just for awhile..." reminding us to honor the preciousness and fragility of time and life itself, not only as our family members grow into seasoned elders, but as we do also.  In honor of all our seasoned elders, the journey they have led, the wisdom they have gained, and the roll they still play in the lives of other, J&O Fabrics offers a selection of nostalgic prints and designs inspired by the days of innocence and generations gone by. Grandparents Day may only come once a year, but its celebrated 365 right here at J&O Fabrics!  Labels: african-fabrics, childrens-novelty-fabric, cotton-fabric, family, grandparents, grandparents-day, novelty-fabrics
 With summer speeding by at a seemingly rapid pace, and the seasonal sun shining as bright as ever, keeping cool and looking stylish under the pressure can become a tricky affair...until now. Look on the racks at most of your upscale, downtown or urban retail fashion chains and you will see florals, stripes, loud colors, muted hues; all designed to entice you into a sale that may look cool and refreshing, but wind up being uncomfortably hot and frustratingly hard to care for. After the fuchsia petals and turquoise tribal prints have lured you to touch, pull out the content label and find out what you are really working with. If it is not a cotton, linen, rayon, bamboo or mesh, you might want to search a little harder. It's not to say that some denims or silks are not apropos for the summer heat, it is just that the ones mentioned above offer little more of a guarantee from sweat stained tops and sticky bottoms that make you want to strip down right where you are standing. When you are out and about in the summer, why not look fashionable while feeling cool and carefree. 1. Cotton: From cotton seersucker to cotton gauze to just plain old cotton, the fibers of this plant are probably the most popular for not only the warm summer months, but year round. A lightweight cotton with absorbent fibers whisks away moisture from the body while at the same time offering a breathable protective barrier between the sun and your body. Available in several different weaves, natural cotton material is also durable and easy to care for. 2. Linen: Another natural plant fiber, linen can be heavyweight or light, loose weave or tight, worn in summer or winter in style. For the summer months try a lightweight linen for a fashionable look and feel that never seems to loose its popularity. Though sometimes temperamental when it comes to wrinkles, a blended material of 55% linen / 45% cotton offers more wearing ease and can be laundered as well, saving time and money from expensive dry cleaning. 3. Polyester: Wrinkle resistant, cool, easy to dry and available in an assortment of prints and weaves, polyester has revamped itself over the years and is now more popular than ever for summer wear as well as year round. From polyester seersucker to 100% polyester, you can easily find just the right look and feel for those hot humid days and cool summer nights with this transitional fabric. 4. Bamboo: Like kona cotton, hemp, and seacell fabrics, bamboo is a natural fiber. Breathable and cool due to it porous fibers, bamboo fabrics absorb nearly three times more moisture than cotton leaving you cool and carefree even as your body temperature rises. Resistant to odor retention, this naturally anti-bacterial fabric is also ideal for long days in the hot summer sun. When you are looking for a fabric that is attractive and practical, look no further than bamboo. 5. Mesh: Usually made from polyester or nylon, mesh fabric looks like netting but with more durability. Most popularly used for sport jerseys, active wear, and swimwear cover ups, mesh is about as open aired as you can get when it comes to material. While it wont fully protect your body from the rays of the sun, it will offer somewhat of a breathable barrier, especially while at the shore. Mesh is easy to care for and will last for some time. Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: bamboo-fabric, cotton-fabric, linen-fabric, mesh-material, organic-fabric, polyester-fabric, seersucker, summer-fabric, summer-fashion
 My son read an artical to me this morning regarding bananas that I found quite interesting. In the artical, the author spoke about how the banana 'fruit' was scientifically classified as a herbaceous plant (bush) of the Musacea family. In laments terms, this commonly called fruit that we eat is actually a flowering herb and a member of the lily family. Banana's do NOT grow on trees in the true sense, since the banana plants have no wood fiber and not only that, scientists actually classify the banana as a berry based on the fact that berries are identified as being 'many seeded' with a 'fleshy inner layer'; just like bananas. As one of my favorite 'fruits', I knew about the nutritional properties and various culinary uses of the banana, but this little tid bit of info really surprised me to the point that I felt compelled to share my new found knowledge with anyone willing to read it; even if they did already know. Since I am also a seamstress and a big fan of fabric textiles, I thought I'd ad a little pictorial tribute to highlight our sweet starch of substance, the Yellow Orchid Herb. After all, a banana a day keeps low potassium away.
 artistic expression.... orchid family......  i love them...... they love them.....   my favorite color..... tropical home...... For your favorite food fabrics, check out J&O Fabric Store You are sure to find what you are looking for and a whole lot more!
Labels: banana, banana-fabric, berry, conservative, cotton-fabric, economical, frugal, fruit-fabric, novelty-fabrics
(NBA Fabric and this History of Basketball)  It was in late 1891 when high school drop-out James Naismith was called by his superior to create a new indoor game that would be interesting, easy to learn, and easy to play in the winter as well as by artificial light. Naismith reflected on popular games of the day and the games from his childhood, and assembled the pieces that would become Basket Ball. Five years later, the first documented professional basketball game took place in the US. It was a wild time, with barnstorming teams, leagues that came and went, and men who could play for three teams in three leagues at the same time. It wouldn’t be for another 50 years before this competitive team sport would evolve into the NBA. As for the modest and humble Naismith, he would go on to earn four college degrees, but never to receive the full accolades’ for an invention that is now played by more people than any other game in the world. Here at J&O we rec  ognize the lasting contribution Dr. Naismith’s indoctrination of this popular sport has had on the shaping of America’s culture. We send out a big “THANK YOU!”, as our show of appreciation for the sport that has basketball fans becoming J&O fans as well. With our bountiful selection of 45” cotton and 60” fleece fabric, you can sport your teams’ colors and mascots all the way to the finals and back again. Our 100% cotton novelty prints are great for everything from bed linens and quilts, to fan wear and accessories. Rep Allen “The Answer” Iverson’s team print from head to toe as you sleep dreaming of his multiple play-off steals. Stand out in your own fashionable Miami Heat fan ensemble complet  e with trimmed b-ball cap at the next live game. For those of you who prefer to cheer from the comforts of your own home, look for our warm & lightweight poly/fleece NBA print fabrics to create custom throws and pillows for those exciting nights in front of the tube watching the Orlando Magics vs Phoenix Suns. Whoever you root for, however you express your team spirit, have fun doing it with J&O Fabrics’ NBA prints. See you at the games! Labels: cotton-fabric, fleece, national-basketball-league-fabric, nba-cotton, nba-fabric, nba-fleece
 Cotton Gauze: The Fabric of SummerThe weatherman is calling for another hazy, hot & humid 98 degree summer day as you head out for an afternoon picnic in your beautiful white sundress. But you're not worried... Why? Because that lightweight & breathable fabric draping your body is none other than gauze. Created by a loose plain or open weave, gauze dries easily and holds any vibrant dye incredibly well wash after wash. Originally made from silk, the name gauze is said to have derived from that of the Palestainian city of Gaza where the fabric is thought to have originated. Eptymologically its roots are said to trace back to the Persian word for silk via the spanish word "gasa". History also relfects its heavy use in Ancient Egypt. Here, the fabric was used not only for clothing, but more importantly, as a protective ceremonial wrapping for mummified bodies. Today, gauze is made from silk, cotton or modern synthetic fibers as well. Because of its loose weave, it is also very useful for bandaging wounds where other fabrics might stick to the burn or laceration. And with the many uses of gauze, it's no wonder it is considered a great fabric for summer. So while you are lying out on your picnic blanket enjoying your delicious spread in your cool summer dress, take a moment to reflect on the other many uses of gauze. With two boys playing around nearby, you never know when you might have to whip out those bandages!
Labels: cotton-fabric, cotton-gauze, fabric-descripiton, Gauze, silk-gauze, summer-fabric
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