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There are those who have found a solution to this problem in online shopping, preferring an entirely digital approach. Convenient? Sure. But then the giving process is reduced to a few clicks of the mouse, and even giftwrapping is left to a checked box on an order form. So how does one put the heart and soul back into the gift giving? That’s where the hands come into play. ‘‘Giving a handmade craft gift or an original work of art is a statement of how special the recipient is to you," said Steven Newsome, director of Prince George’s Arts Council. Whether made by the giver or purchased from a skilled artisan, handmade gifts can be unique, and show the person receiving the item that the giver truly cares. There are two ways to go about giving that one-of-a-kind treasure: Hit the yarn shops and craft supply stores and get hands-on, or go hands-off and leave it to those with more skill and time.
Home and garden calendar
Workshops at Wahiawa Botanical Garden; free. Registration: 621-5463. The Plant Doctor will discuss plants' structure, what they need and how to identify problems; 9-10 a.m.; today. The Secrets of Plant Propagating, learn basic techniques; 9-10 a.m.; Dec. 14. Workshops tomorrow at The Green House, 224 Pakohana St.; $15. Registration: 524-8427, thehawaiigreenhouse@hawaiiantel.net. Abracadabra! Remake a T, transform old T-shirts into wearable art; 10 a.m.-noon. Garbage into Gold, learn how to build and harvest a compost pile; 10 a.m.-noon. Edible Landscaping, learn how to grow your own food supply; 1:30-3:30 p.m. Papermaking With Plants, learn step-by-step fiber preparation and the differences in various plants' fibers; 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Latest 'Idol' runner-up not just happy to be here
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Blake Lewis checked an e-mail on his iPhone and gasped.“Rough cut of the video!" he announced, and quickly a half-dozen 19 Entertainment employees gathered around a computer screen at the “American Idol" production company's slick offices above Sunset Boulevard.Lewis watched himself singing in front of a wavy purplish background in the clip for “Break Anotha," the uptempo first single from his first album. “It's good!" somebody volunteered after the video played a second time.“For a rough draft," Lewis muttered. “The effects could be more stylized at the beginning."No, the 26-year-old beatboxer from Seattle is not another just-happy-to-be-here “American Idol" finalist. Given a long-awaited shot at a major label album release with his second-place finish (Jordin Sparks was the winner), he's trying to exercise as much artistic control as possible in the Simon Fuller-created machine.He co-wrote all but one song on “Audio Day Dream," which Arista Records released last week, and is already plotting a remix album to add hip-hop and electronica flavors that he favors but wasn't able to include.“I just call myself a communicator.
Decorate with edible art
It's easy to be intimidated by all those lovely magazine spreads showing the perfect holiday table.
But gorgeous holiday decorations can be more than just a checkout line-fantasy. Many ideas require little more than a trip to the grocer and a bit of experimenting.
"The first thing to do is relax," says Diana McMillen, senior food editor at Midwest Living magazine. "And keep it simple. After all, the meal you are eating and companionship you are sharing are the most important things." So, if time is precious, skip the handcrafted gingerbread village. Instead, try a variety of vases brimming with candy canes or red and green mint candies. Add some lights and greenery, and you've got a photo-worthy centerpiece.
"In a way, you are just adding something to the meal that makes it a little more fun," says McMillen.
Blake Lewis looks to move beyond `Idol'
Blake Lewis checked an e-mail on his iPhone and gasped. "Rough cut of the video!" he announced, and quickly a half-dozen 19 Entertainment employees gathered around a computer screen at the "American Idol" production company's slick offices above Sunset Boulevard. Lewis watched himself singing in front of a wavy purplish background in the clip for "Break Anotha," the uptempo first single from his first album. "It's good!" somebody volunteered after the video played a second time. "For a rough draft," Lewis muttered. "The effects could be more stylized at the beginning." No, the 26-year-old beatboxer from Seattle is not another just-happy-to-be-here "American Idol" finalist. Given a long-awaited shot at a major label album release with his second-place finish (Jordin Sparks was the winner), he's trying to exercise as much artistic control as possible in the Simon Fuller-created machine.
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