Bleak economic news dominates the headlines pushing more families to tighten their budgets and reduce spending. With so many people worried about the economy practical ways to stretch a dollar are valued more than ever. Therefore, we at J&O will be putting together some blogs to help you find useful ways of maximizing your fabric without losing sight of the fact that fabric can still be fun.
For instance, say you have a few scraps of fabric left over from a project, often they find their way into a drawer and when you've tired of them they get thrown out. Why not try using your fabric scraps to make something with?
One idea we found online at twelve22.org is to make mouse pad covers. These are so simple they require four ingredients: a mousepad, a small piece of iron-on interfacing, a scrap of fabric, and some craft glue.
The first step is to trace the shape of the mouse pad over the interfacing leaving an inch on each side. My mouse pad measures 8 1/2" wide by 7" long, so the appropriate measurements would be 9 1/2" by 8" for my mouse pad. Next, place the interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric and iron it on. Then, trim the fabric around the interfacing leaving enough to fold over. Fold the edges taking special care around the corners. After that, spread a thin layer of glue on top of the mouse pad, lay the cover on top, press it down, and voilà, you have an exclusive mouse pad. You'll also have one less fabric remnant laying around the house. If you don't have a mouse pad you can also use a thick piece of felt.
Try using some of these great fabrics or any scraps you have on hand:
Sea Turtles Bubbles Fabric
Labels: economy, Fabric, fabric-ideas, money-saving
With the current economic crunch most families are tightening their budgets and cutting out things like redecorating because of the cost involved. With J&O Fabrics' help, however, you can add fresh ideas to your home decor in a budget conscious way. Here are some of our ideas.
Re-upholstering: Purchasing a new sofa or couch can cost hundreds of dollars. Instead of that, why not try re-upholstering the furniture you already have. Simply changing the fabric you have on your furniture can reinvigorate your home decor.
Accents: A simple and cost conscious way of adding new elements to your home involves paying attention to the details. Throw pillows, slipcovers, and lampshades are minor things that can contribute to changing a staid room into one that is livelier. Fortunately, all of these things can be accomplished with fabric.
Window Treatments: The window treatments you choose can make a big difference in how your rooms look because it is the element that will most interact with the light entering them. Window scarves, curtains, and valances are smaller project that can fit within your budget constraints while still allowing you the possibility of refreshing a room.
Royal Blue Chiffon
Ladybugs Sheer Fabric
Labels: budget, decorating, economy, redecorating, upholstering
They say every man is born with a purpose, and from an early age, the unseen hand of purpose was upon Barack Obama; molding and shaping him, guiding him into and throughout his political career until his purpose met with victory at the 2008 presidential elections. A victory meant for him at this place and this time in the evolution of mankind. A purpose no more and no less than the little girl who grows up to become a successful actress or the little boy who becomes a starving artist. That all three honored their respective purposes is the dream most wish and strive to fulfill.
And speaking of dreams...
J&O has a dream come true just for you. For a limited time you don't have to travel all the way to Washington, D.C. to get a sight of this history making president, instead, just come over to
J&O Fabrics and meet him face to face! That's right, Barack Obama is right here at
J&O Fabrics just in time for you to make a special request his presence in your home, office, or as an inspirational travel companion along your journey through life. Reflect in his presence, the road that lead him to the White House and the many motivational speeches he gave along the way.
Whether Democratic or Republic, rich or poor, or any walk of life, there is something to be said about the spoken hopes and dreams of Barack Obama. Barack Obama, a man with a mission and a message. Barack Obama, a man with a vision for humanity. Barack Obama, history in the making, making history for the whole world to see.
Our 44th President summed it up best during his speech following the Super Tuesday results in February 08' when he said simply, "
We are the ones we have been waiting for."
We all have a purpose, a part to play in this thing called life. So play it to win. You never know where it will lead you.
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: 44th president, barack obama, children fleece, economy, fleece panel, frugal, patriotic, polar fleece, president obama, usa
2008 began a whole new cycle according to the Chinese Astrological Calendar. It was the year and the time for planting the seeds for the next twelve years, assessing our dreams and goals, and asking ourselves some really hard questions about what we want and who we want it with. The year of the Rat required us to look ourselves in the mirror, breathe a deep breath, and take those calculated steps forward without looking back. And that we did.
In 2008 Michael Phelps stepped up to the podium at the Olympics in Beijing and received his eight record winning medals with a smile of accomplishment and pride only a few months before governor Barack Obama ascended the stage before millions of viewers worldwide and became the first African American president elect of the United States in what many would call a monumentous event marking not only a shift in the consciousness of Americans from various ethnic and economic backgrounds, but in the future generation as well.
Auto drivers across America saw an increase in gasoline prices that reached some of the highest in history topping out at almost $5.00 per gallon, while stocks dropped to some of their lowest points as individuals and families fought to make their way through an increasing economic recession, wondering when they would get their $700 billion dollar bailout from Bush. As global warming and sustainable resource issues found their way into the conversations of both the young Gen X crew and the older Baby Boomers of the 40’s and 50’s, India set a world record by sending ten satellites into orbit in a single launch, and frozen water was found on Mars.
But as 2008 comes to a close and 2009 welcomes in the opportunity to meet our challenges with fear that will destroy mother Earth and her people, or with love that will ultimately cleanse the planet of all negative influences and help us to make the kind of choices that will bring us peace and joy, Americans contemplate their choices with a little more thought. 2009 is the year of the Ox and in that year; babies will be born possessing great leadership qualities including patience, strength, and organizational skills. Those who have been quiet in the past will now feel the urge to speak and they will have profound things to say. Visionaries will be the ne
w celebrities and we will welcome their messages of faith and hope for the future. As we remember our brothers and sisters who left legacies behind in 2008, memorable names like South African songstress Mariam Makeba, Swiss explorer Jacques Piccard, comedian Bernie Mac, Chess Grandmaster Bobbie Fisher, and French Fashion Designer extraordinaire Yves Saint Laurent forever remain in our minds as reminders of the power of one. Uniting mankind together to learn about the true meaning of what it means to be human and part of a universal collective for the good of all will be our true test if we are willing to look ourselves in the mirror, breathe a deep 
breath, and take those calculated steps forward without looking back. I know we can do it, just as we did.
From all of us, to all of you, keep believing, keep creating, and keep moving forward. The dream of tomorrow is worth it.
Check out our new fabric prints for 2009 here!
Check out our great celebration fabric here!
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: 2009, americans, barack obama, celebration fabric, economy, frugal, frugil, george bush, michael phelps, new year, new years eve, president bush, president obama, recession