The Cuteness and Edge of Skelanimals

 

 

From 2005 to 2011, Skelanimals rode an ever growing wave of popularity through first, their book, then their novelty items, then their fabric. The adored manifestation of creative brainchild Mitchell Bernal, one of the keys to Skelanimals popularity was their unique mixture of cuteness and edge.  Skelanimals are light-hearted, cute and cuddly, never ghoulish or horrifying; irreverent but not offensive. As a result, the characters have been embraced by people of all ages, nationalities, and personalities to this day.

But what inspired the idea for Skelanimals to begin with?

DIY Cocktail Canopy from J&O Fabrics

J&O DIY Cocktail Canopy: Floral Deco

For the J&O/ Summerdale Mills family, summer just isn’t summer without backyard BBQ’s, picnics, taking in seemingly endless sunsets in an outdoor living space of our very own, or simply sitting pretty by the seashore.  But beyond the idea and aesthetics of it all, there is the nitty-gritty of uninvited guests to contend with that certainly can have a way of spoiling the fun. You know those party-crashers I’m speaking of. The eight-legged, winged and just plain annoying creepy crawlies seduced by the sights, sounds and scents of it all. We can’t blame them for wanting to get a taste of the good life I know, but we can make our presence in their domain more comfortable.

D.I.Y. Fleece Hat and Scarf set

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If you’re children are like mine, half of the school year is spent searching for their missing homework while the other is spent searching for their winter fleece hats, missing gloves,  and countless hand-knitted scarves from Grandma. And if you’re a mother like me, you eventually discover the benefits of saving time and money through the creation of D.I.Y. fleece hat and scarf sets rather than the purchasing of new winter wear yet again.

Holiday Gift Wrapping the Furoshiki Way.

 

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.

J&O Fabrics Colorful Craft Ideas for the 2018 Spring Season

As we slowly transition into a spring season that seems to finally be here stay for a few, we find ourselves mimicking nature’s shedding of muted winter colors in exchange of an array of vibrant shades reflective of those found in Mother Nature’s vibrant prism. In celebration of the spectrum of light vibrations that brings us an amazing palate of blue, red, orange, yellow, and green for our imagination to play with, J&O Fabrics offers a few colorful craft ideas along with a selection of choice fabrics from our shelves to fulfill your creative mood.

 

50 Scrap Fabric Crafts For Rems Reborn Again

jandofabrics scrap fabric crafts

 

Instead of tossing your tiny fabric scraps or hoarding your size-able rems until who-knows-when, why not decide to play your part in assisting in the Earth Day recycling efforts by pulling them out, sorting, and inspecting them for quality and usability in a scrap fabric craft project.

J&O Celebrates National Keep Kids Creative Week 2014

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Celebrated the last week of September,  National Keep Kids Creative Week was started in the fall of 2003 by illustrator and author Bruce Van Patter. Bruce created National Keep Kids Creative Week to encourage kids to use their ideas and imaginings instead of relying on video games and television to do it for them. Once word got around, teachers began to celebrate it in their classrooms and since 2006, KKCW (Keep Kids Creative Week) has been listed in Chase’s Calendar of Events, a high-profile, national directory of holidays and celebrations.

Cute Summer Fabric Crafts To Kick Off the Season!

For many, the official start of summer is dictated by the date of the solstice which usually occurs during the month of June. For students, the last day of school is often equated in such a way. Yet for others, it is simply Memorial Day.

Originating after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died on the battlefield, over the years Memorial day has become the traditional UN-official start of the summer season for many in the USA. Celebrated by both memorializing lost ones who have served this county well, and by the ritualistic setting up patio furniture and grills in preparation for a weekend of food and fun, the last Monday of May equates to the last day of spring by majority rule as sun children everywhere welcome the summer in!

DIY Cornhole Toss Tutorial

jandofabricsPlayed mostly at football games and as a form of competitive recreation, Cornhole, also known as corn toss, bean toss, or bag toss, is a lawn game where players take turns throwing bags of corn (or beans) at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. The objective is to get the bag in the hole until the individual or team reaches 21 points. The first one to get there wins.

Fabric Craft: Child’s Apron Using a Tee Shirt as Pattern

Kids love to have their own special apron for helping out in the kitchen, both boys and girls! This tutorial will show you how to create a pattern for a child’s apron using one of their t-shirts! Begin by choosing a fabric from J&O, we recommend the NFL fabrics for the boys!

Child's apron

Cute idea: use your child’s t-shirt to create a pattern for an apron. (Photo by Happy Grandma Projects)

You will need:

  • 1 yard for main fabric
  • ½ yard for coordinating fabric
  • Fitted child’s tee