Simply for Baby Nursery Video Contest!

We want to see your handmade nursery! Find out more below.


CREATE
Create a YouTube video tour of your nursery, showcasing your original baby-themed crafts, created for your child, age two or younger. Read the Official Rules here.

Video tips:

• Provide commentary during the video, explaining the theme, if any, and what elements or items in the nursery were handcrafted.  
• You can talk from behind the camera, or appear in the video (it's your choice!).
• Include wide views of the nursery as a whole and also closer views of the specific handcrafted elements. Try to keep your video under 2 minutes, please.  
• Oh, and please do not include your child in the video.  
• Make sure the video is public, so we can review and share it!

ENTER
The contest runs between June 1 to June 30 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. Fill out our entry form (below), including the link for your YouTube video. We'll review the video, and share on our Pinterest board, beginning at 9 a.m. on June 1!

A winner will be chosen for nursery theme, originality and workmanship by a team of crafting experts from Jo-Ann. Read the Official Rules here.

ENJOY
See all the videos on the Jo-Ann Pinterest Simply for Baby Contest Board. Like & repin your favorites -- including your own!

#simplyforbaby

Need Some Craft Motivation?

You've probably reached that point before, where you need a crafting boost. So, I asked our crafting experts (meaning, those sitting closest to me), and they've provided their favorite songs to get you ready to craft!

What gets you motivated to do craft magic?

Our pumped-up & ready-to-craft playlist (add to our playlist! Share your songs in the comments):

• Samantha: "Fighter," by Christina Aguilera
• Kim: "Eye of the Tiger," by Survivor
• Colleen: "Yeah," Usher, "I'm a survivor," Beyonce
• Seth: "Lose Yourself," Eminem, or Jock Jams
• Joe: "I Will Survive," Gloria Gaynor
• Mike: "I Will Follow Him" (specifically, the rendition from Sister Act)
• Darren: "The Final Countdown," by Europe.
• Darren (again): "You're the Best Around," by Joe Esposito

It's true, you are the best crafter around :)

-Kim @ Jo-Ann

Become a Jo-Ann Instructor!

Remember that someone who taught you basic sewing or crafting skills? Now you can be the teacher!

Jo-Ann Instructors are savvy sewing enthusiasts and experienced crafters with proven skills who enjoy teaching others. Find out more about our classes here: http://www.joann.com/classes

And with new stores opening, we have new classrooms – and we need a lot of talented people to teach our classes, and get paid for it!

The stores below will be opening May 18. Stop in to the stores listed below to meet our Education Coordinators. Please bring a few examples of your work.

1533 Golden Gate Plaza, Mayfield Heights, OH
4120 Dean Lakes Blvd., Shakopee, MN
Overlook Village, 80 S. Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC
Schaumburg Plaza, 301 S Barrington Rd., Schaumburg, IL
Bradford Plaza, 519 N Main St., Stillwater, OK
Queen Creek Marketplace,  21238 S Ellsworth Loop Rd., Queen Creek, AZ

Find out if your local store offers classes here.

Make: Banner Quilt tutorial

What are you making this weekend? Check out this pennant banner quilt -- you can use remnant fabric for the banner triangles!  Find a printable version here (with the banner template).

Supplies & Tools (.pdf here):

• 1/2 yd of 5 coordinating fabrics for banners
• 3½ yds fabric for background
• 1 yd fabric for “hanging” strips
• 1/2 yd fabric for inner border
• 3/4 yd fabric for outer border
• 3/4 yd fabric for binding
• 4½ yds fabric for backing
• 70"x82" rectangle of batting
• Basic sewing/quilting supplies
• Iron & ironing surface
• Sewing machine

Directions:
NOTE: 1/4" seam allowance used throughout. WOF = width of fabric.

1. From background fabric, cut and piece a 54½"x68" rectangle.
2. Enlarge banner pattern as needed. Cut ten banners, as desired, from the five coordinating fabrics.
3. Using the photo as reference, applique banners to the background piece. Note: For banners shown, fold the long edges of each banner with a 1/4" seam allowance and topstitch the banners in place.
4. Cut 4" wide bias strips from the “hanging” strip fabric. Total measurement needed is approximately 170". Note: Total length needed will vary depending on banner placement. Stitch short edges together as needed. With wrong sides together and long edges even, press. Open up strip. Fold raw edges to the center pressed line. Press and refold with raw edges enclosed by the fold. Place on appliqued top as desired. Pin. Topstitch to appliqued top being sure to cover top raw edges of each banner.
5. From inner border fabric, cut six 1½" WOF pieces. Stitch short ends together. Measure across center of appliqued piece. Cut two pieces to that measurement and stitch to the top and bottom edges. Repeat for side inner borders.
6. From outer border fabric, cut seven 3½" WOF strips. Repeat stitching short ends, measuring and stitching as for inner borders.
7. Piece backing as needed to make a 70"x82" rectangle.
8. Layer appliqued top, batting and backing rectangle. Quilt as desired.
9. Cut seven 2½" WOF strips. Stitch short ends together. With wrong sides together and long edges even, press. 

Stitch binding to quilt top with right sides together and raw edges even. Turn and whipstitch to backing of quilt.

Finished size of Quilt: 62"x76"

Craft: Wall Letters for Your Nursery

How would you embellish these paper mache letters? You can use scrapbooking paper and Mod Podge. Or select initials of a bridal party, paint them white and have guests sign them for a fun keepsake. Find instructions below for a nursery theme, but you can let your imagination run wild with the possibilities! Share your tips with us in the comments below.

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Paper mache letters (A, B, C) 
• Pastel paints: light blue, yellow, pink, white 
• Paintbrushes: 1/2" flat, small round 
• Ribbon: pink, blue 
• Buttons: 2-3 for each letter 
• Embroidery floss and needle in coordinating colors 
• Tacky glue 
• Ruler 
• Hangers

DIRECTIONS:

1. Base coat each letter a different pastel paint color. Apply as many coats as necessary for good coverage. Let dry between coats. 
2. Paint a 1/2" wide white vertical stripe down the middle of the first letter with the 1/2" flat paintbrush. Using the small round paintbrush, paint a narrow white stripe on either side of it. Repeat to the left and right of the first stripe. Paint stripes on the remaining letters, spacing as desired. Let dry. 
3. Tie a bow around each letter with pink and blue ribbon. 
4. Sew embroidery floss onto each button and tie off. Glue the buttons to the letters around the ribbons. 
5. Hang letters.

April Grand Openings!

We have some new stores opening this month -- check to see if we're coming to your area.

Stop by April 26-28 to the stores below for giveaways, demos, make it-take its, hot offers, and an education open house! Click on the cities below to find out more information about your new store!

Osage Beach, MO: Prewitt Point,  3958 Jr. Prewitt Pkwy
Rocky Mount, NC: Sutters Creek Plaza, 572 Sutters Creek Blvd.
Charlottesville, VA: Rio Hill Shopping Center 1774 Rio Hill Ctr
Vero Beach, FL: Century Town Center, 5921 20th St.
Reading, PA: 1075 Woodland Rd., Wyomissing
Champaign, IL: Town Center,  722 W Town Center Blvd.
The Woodlands, TX: Woodlands Home Center, 25415 I-45, South Spring
Centerville, UT: Centerville Marketplace, 302 N Market Place Dr.
North Little Rock, AR: Lakewood Village, 2637 Lakewood Village Dr.
Toledo, OH: 4948 Monroe St.

Volunteer Week 2012 Update

Habitat for Humanity

Thanks to all of the Jo-Ann corporate team members who have taken the time to volunteer this week! Check out a few photos from some of the amazing volunteer sites we've visited -- and stay tuned for more photos tomorrow!

Team Members have:

• Packaged over 8,000 pounds of meat and cheese at the Akron Foodbank 
• Sewed nearly 400 pillow cases for ConKerr Cancer
• Crafted over 100 greeting cards for Hattie Larlham 
• Helped clean numerous flower beds at the Summit County Development Disability Centers

The Holden Arboretum. Photo by Robin Ott

Volunteering at the Salvation Army