image courtesy abc7_ny
Adorning one’s head with a hat of flowers, fabric, and fantastical additions in celebration of Easter has been the culture and pride of many New Yorkers as far back as I can remember. And now after a 2-year pandemic hiatus, the tradition of showcasing the artistry and creativity of the Easter bonnet has made its come back
courtesy PhotoMix
For many designers, seamstresses and artisans alike, there is something reassuring to be found in shopping for fabric at brick-n-mortar shops where one can actually touch and feel the material. An experience often lost when buying fabric online, but one that textile companies and their marketing teams strive continuously to innovate and virtualize in order to mirror a similar hands-on experience. By capturing high res images of their fabrics, specific filters, consumer friendly navigational tools, and detailed textile information in their descriptions, many top online fabric stores have been able to offer just that. With such bases covered, along with the benefit of direct mail based promotions and FREE shipping oftentimes, fabric shoppers are discovering more and more confidence, comfort and convenience in the notion of online fabric shopping.
photo courtesy: andrea piacquadio
With everyone from corporate power players and university professors, to fashion stylists and customer service reps working from home, work place dress codes have taken a bit of a shift from their standard protocol, towards the more ‘comfortable’ casual wear. Who can blame us? We all know how comfortable casual velvet, brushed cottons, jersey knits and stretch fabrics can be in athletic wear, pj’s and yoga wear. Even Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour who once professed to never stoop so low as to wear sweats, deigned to be photographed for an article wearing just such a leisure habiliment. Could the professional script on the horizon now be flipped from ‘casual Friday’s’ to ‘casual everyday’? Will the standard ‘dress down’ be the new ‘dress up’? Only time will tell.
I remember holidays full of turkey, stuffing and apple pie. Generations around the table partaking in good food, tasty sweets and infectious laughter. Handmade napkins printed in holly dressed grandmama’s table that was draped in green poly crepe. In the room surrounding us, lights bounced off inanimate objects casting golden shadows on beige striped and cran-apple suede cushioned wing chairs while tie-backs in holiday splendor dangled on vanilla drapes. Assorted prints and textures added warmth and richness. And under the tree, Christmas gifts wrapped in traditional furoshiki styled fabrics of red tissue lame and festive plaid check.
Throughout various cultures around the world, bells have historically held a multitude of meaning and purpose. Bells symbolize beginnings and endings. They are rung at weddings, funerals, during meditation and to raise our vibrations. Bells warn us and call our attention. They commence fights and finish them, and alert us of livestock movement. Bells inform us of guests and signal the readiness of palate pleasing nourishment. Simple soundful metal craft for some, sacred singing bell for others, these handcrafted creations have served communities for thousands of years.
During the month of February, as our nation celebrates the highly commercialized day of love also known as St. Valentine’s Day, we at J&O Fabrics will be sharing the many ways we can express love to our family, friends and loved ones through the use of fabric .
With her cotton/polyester blend of fibers and water-repellent finish, Aruba Getaway II Stripes Outdoor is a versatile and colorful fabric that loves the great outdoors, being the center of attention, and showing off her many talents. Looking to add some spice to your life?
The perfect parent for this vibrant fabric has creative vision and plenty of patio cushions to cover. When you adopt-a-fabric like Aruba Getaway II Stripes Outdoor, it’s a win-win situation for both, for a little bit of love and a home of her own is all this happy fabric needs.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, the push for a more sustainable way of living trending in the news, and many gift-givers having to budget their money, however folks can reduce their costs and carbon footprints during the holiday season is information well used. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to reduce both in a creative way is by incorporating a little furoskiki into the mix. A great alternative to wrapping with store bought gift wrap, this traditional Japanese method of wrapping gifts throughout the year is one that even children can share in.
It’s not that easy bein’ green
Having to spend each day
The color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer
Bein’ red or yellow or gold
Or something much more colorful like that
It’s not easy bein’ green
It seems you blend in
With so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over
Cause you’re not standing out
Like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky
But green’s the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river or tall like a tree
