(NAPSI)-Difficult times can call for crafty measures. Providing an affordable escape, crafting has evolved into a fashion-forward pastime for all ages. In fact, a recent survey by the Craft & Hobby Association revealed that 56 percent of U.S. households have worked on at least one craft project during the past year; a rate that’s remained consistent for the past three years.

What kinds of craft projects have captured the hands and hearts of Americans? The same survey reveals that scrapbooking, home decor projects and woodworking top the list. Other popular hobbies include quilting, jewelry making, knitting, art and drawing. As more and more Americans discover the art of the handmade and the satisfaction it can bring, some are even turning their artisanal passions into profitable side businesses.

Creating Space

You can set up “shop” in your own home by designating a separate space to handle all your crafting needs. Serious enthusiasts can consider dedicating an entire room–attic, garage or an extra bedroom–to their passion. If you don’t have the space, you may choose to convert an extra closet into your own “craftastic” workstation to get the creative juices flowing.

Getting Organized

Once you’ve selected the space, make sure it’s properly equipped. Include a workstation or desk large enough to handle your craft projects and hang up a corkboard to pin design ideas and inspirations for quick comparisons. Keep yourself organized by adding shelving and adequate storage space for tools, paintbrushes or other accessories.

For example, adjustable and ventilated shelving such as ClosetMaid® ShelfTrack™ can easily be installed on the wall or in a closet to keep supplies like fabrics, paper, canvases, paint or varnishes within arm’s reach. Colorful ribbons and tape can slide onto closet rods for easy access, while buttons, clasps and other small objects can be kept in clear jars of varying sizes. Display your how-to books on the shelves and place yarn in baskets or pull-out wire or fabric drawers. Finally, a pegboard can be fashioned for color-coordinated thread or small-tool storage.

Learn More

To find out how you can create your own unique storage solutions, visit www.closetmaid.com or call (800) 874-0008.

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‘Tis the Season to Help Hungry Pets and Their Owners (316) (NewsUSA) – During a tough economic climate, it can be a stressful time for many homebound seniors, if not for their pets. Many seniors, when strapped for resources, choose to feed their pets instead of themselves. This means neither the pet owner nor the pet get the nutrition they need to stay healthy. To keep both pets and their owners fed, Banfield Pet Hospital and the Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) partnered with the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), which provides home-delivered meals to people in need, to create a pet-feeding program called Season of Suppers, which is now in its fifth year. As part of the program, more than 760 Banfield locations are collecting pet food and monetary donations during November and December to help homebound seniors feed their pets. Despite the current economy, the BCT hopes to collect 40 tons of pet food and raise $100,000 to fund pet food distribution programs, which is an increase from last year. Season of Suppers does more than provide meals. The funds it raises each year help sustain and expand pet-feeding programs throughout the country. As a direct result of the Season of Suppers campaign, more than 100 pet-feeding programs have been funded or received much-needed support. Season of Suppers runs from Nov. 1 until Dec. 31. There are three ways to help feed hungry pets this year: 1. Purchase pet food and place it in the Season of Suppers donation bin in any Banfield Pet Hospital (located inside PetSmart). The BCT suggests items that are easy to transport, such as small bags and cans. 2. Donate money at any Banfield Pet Hospital in the Season of Suppers donation box. To find your nearest Banfield location, visit www.banfield.net 3. Contribute online by visiting www.BCTSOS.org and clicking the “donate now” button. Your donation of $30 will help feed one pet for an entire month.

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Easy, affordable Halloween projects that kids – and adults – will love

(ARA) – Before the fall wind blows trick-or-treaters to your front door, make the most of the season with a few simple projects that your kids will love and you will too. They’re easy, fun and very affordable. All it takes is a little imagination and a few things you already have around the house to transform your home into Halloween central.

“Halloween can be so much fun, especially if you involve the kids,” says Paintideas.com blogger Angie Stinner. “Painting pumpkins or creating simple crafts to decorate your home doesn’t take much time and can be done on a shoestring budget. It’s a great way to share some quality time before the busy holiday season.”

Here are a few easy, affordable projects from Angie’s Halloween bag of treats:

* Go batty – Create adorable beverage can bats to hang on your porch or anywhere in your home. Just rinse a few empty beverage cans with soap and water and allow to fully dry. Remove the ring that’s attached to each can and bend the can slightly at the middle. Then, in a well-ventilated area like a garage with an open door, lay out old newspaper or an old sheet and spray several light coats of Rust-Oleum Universal Gloss Black spray paint onto each can and allow them to dry for 24 hours.

Once the can has dried, glue bat wings to the sides of the can, teeth to the drinking area on the can, eyes to the top of the can just above the drinking hole and bat ears to the outer ring of the can (right above the eyes). The wings, teeth, eyes and ears can be found at your local craft store or you can make them yourself from foam or construction paper. Glue a piece of fishing line to the can, allow the glue to dry and then unwind a paper clip and tie the other end of the fishing line to the paper clip to hang. Leave this “welcome bat” plain, or use orange puffy paint to write a fun Halloween message.

* “Trick” their treats – Don’t send your little ghost or goblin out with an ordinary treat container when it’s so easy to personalize it to reflect their Halloween style. Recycle the old plastic pumpkin they used the year before and transform it into something unique and special with spray paint. Try Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover 2X. It is available in a rainbow of colors to coordinate with any costume. Try a color like Grape or Berry Pink for your little princess or ballerina. Do you have a Shrek in the family? Try a color like Key Lime or Green Apple for their carrier. Once the plastic pumpkins are painted, let the kids decorate them using markers, puffy paint, stickers or stick-on jewels and they’re ready for a night full of candy goodness.

* Instant messaging – Leave the carving knife in the kitchen drawer and try a new twist on pumpkin decorating. Buy a pumpkin or two at the supermarket or farm stand, clean it well to remove dirt and debris and paint it with Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint. Spray paint it traditional black – or brush on one of 14 colors in the chalkboard palette with a foam brush. Remember to “scuff” up the pumpkin with the rounded edge of the chalk – then write messages to your kids throughout the season. The paint preserves the pumpkin, so you can have some Halloween fun right through Thanksgiving.

Looking for more inspiration or Halloween ideas? Visit www.paintideas.com or www.facebook.com/RustOleum.

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(NewsUSA) – Today’s economy has inspired a thrifty, do-it-yourself mentality that resonates with many Americans -; a trend that will no doubt carry into holiday gift-giving.

In 2008, over 42.6 million households created handcrafted gifts, and no wonder — not only can handcrafted gifts recycle materials and save money, they also prove far more memorable than any department store gift card.

“With tightening budgets, more innovative craft supplies and products, and greater inspiration coming from the DIY movement with TV, the Internet, and craft publications, we are experiencing a perfect storm for an incredible handcrafted holiday gift-giving season,” explained Craft & Hobby Association CEO Steve Berger.

According to the CHA Designer Holiday Trend Report, we can expect to see several key trends in 2009′s holiday crafts:

- Give a gift, save the world. Eco-friendly gifts that repurpose or reuse items will prove popular. For example, crafters will transform old sweaters into patchwork blankets, stockings, bags and wreaths, or turn picture frames into ornaments.

- Knit up some nostalgia. Crafters will recreate simpler times with old-fashioned items and toys. The sock monkey, for example, has made a huge come-back with kids and is showing up in both traditional and non-traditional colors.

- Craft with your computer. Using the latest three-dimensional embellishments combined with downloaded images is part of a huge trend in the craft world. Hybrid crafting can be personalized by printing written phrases, names and dates, or decorating digital creations with large, thick and textured embellishments.

- Pick sophisticated colors. Red and green will remain popular this holiday season, but crafters will choose traditional hues like avocado, kelly green and forest green. Deep purple and chocolate will show up often, as will gold and silver, because they create a more expensive look.

- Appreciate a good motif. Popular holiday motifs will likely include happy snowmen, reindeer, vintage Santas, birds, snowflakes, trees and retro animals and teddy bears

With joblessness in the state at a 25-year high and the needy standing in line for aid, some are making direct pleas for help online instead.

In recent weeks, dozens of people have posted requests for help on the Raleigh edition of Craigslist, the Web site that offers free classified ads. As Christmas approaches, many posts have taken a desperate tone, asking for used children’s clothing, shoes or toys, holiday decorations, even food and rent money.

Thousands of nonprofit agencies across the state are dedicated to easing the suffering of the poor, but Craigslist is a place where people can ask directly for immediate help and connect with sympathetic individuals, not bureaucracies. Especially during the holidays, it’s a high-tech tug on the heartstrings.

“I need some help really badly. My family and I have hit some really hard times and are unable to pay our rent for this month,” read a post Dec. 5 from Zebulon with the subject line, WE NEED A MIRACLE. “The amount is 350.00. I don’t know what we are going to do. We honestly just do not have the money. This is not a scam, I am being as real as I possibly can be. We need help. Can someone help us please!!”

Four days earlier, a woman wrote: “My husband and I are looking for children’s items for a newborn boy and a 7-year-old girl. We are really having a hard time right now, though I know everyone is. …

“We moved to Raleigh and have had a string of bad luck and are trying to put something together for Christmas.”

‘It’s hard to keep up’

Vicki Shearin of Louisburg never thought of asking for help from anybody until this year. Her husband, Ricky, is disabled by end-stage emphysema, and her job as a shift supervisor at a local drug store is barely enough to pay the bills and medical expenses. As he undergoes tests to see if he is a candidate for a lung transplant, she tries to make sure that he’s comfortable and that their three sons still living at home have what they need.

Looking through Craigslist, she sometimes noticed people offering goods for free if someone would pick them up. She went a step further and put up a note in the “for sale” category, under “wanted,” asking if anyone had jeans or shirts in her boys’ sizes he or she couldn’t use anymore.

“I’m not even asking for Christmas help,” Shearin said. “I was just basically trying to find some clothes for the kids. They go from a 10 to a 14 overnight, and it’s hard to keep up.”

Shearin used her home computer. Others post from public computers at libraries or use those of friends.

Craigslist, which is administered by a staff of about 25 people in California, did not respond to requests for interviews about needy persons’ use of the site to solicit help. But other Craigslist users often “flag” them and remove them. Sometimes, the user who objected will add a scolding or cautionary note.

On Dec. 16, one asked why those who need help don’t turn to family instead of strangers. On Dec. 19, another suggested that some of those asking for donations were collecting goods to re-sell later.

On Monday, a user at sale-966789084@craigslist.org wrote: “I recently responded to a post for used FREE tv. The tv we offered was a 20 inch color tv with remote less than 2 yrs old. The POSTER of the add declined the tv saying she did NEED a free tv but wanted it to be 32 inches or larger…. There is a huge difference between NEED and WANT.”

R.J. Moshay, spokesman for Triangle United Way Inc., said he didn’t know people were using Craigslist to appeal for aid.

“I always thought of Craigslist as, ‘I need a roommate, I want a car,’ ” he said

Read More:News & Observer

Garner, N.C. – Triangle East magazine’s new editor, Nancy Pardue, has put together a holiday issue brimming with tips, tricks and recommendations for the holiday season.

“It’s one big celebration in the newest issue of Triangle East, as we rejoice in the delights of Christmas and the promise of a new year,” said Pardue. “I’m glad to have this new beginning with our readers and hope they’ll love our holiday issue.”

In the article “Winter Wonders,” readers will learn how to spruce up their homes by bringing the outdoors indoors with tips from Tony Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery. Gardening expert L.A. Jackson also offers tips on extending the life of poinsettias in his Garden Adventurer column.

“Christmas Treasures” offers tips on holiday collectibles such as Department 56 Christmas Villages, Mark Roberts Christmas Fairies, Buyer’s Choice Carolers and more.

To stave off the winter chill, “Get Fired Up” profiles three great fireside-friendly dining establishments and offers secrets on getting that fireside seat.

Two recent college graduates received makeup, hair and fashion makeovers to get them ready for a new year in “New Year, New You.”

“Giving Back in 2009” reports how students at Vandora Springs Elementary in Garner are participating in two charity projects, and provides a guide for plenty of volunteerism opportunities in the local community.

In this issue, readers can also learn about how two Miss Garners are vying for the Miss America crown, what Butterball CEO Keith Shoemaker thinks of the company’s new corporate headquarters, and what Christmas goodies and gifts will tempt shoppers this year.

The December/January issue of Triangle East magazine is available now at more than 100 locations throughout eastern Wake and Johnston counties. Subscriptions may be ordered directly by visiting www.triangleeastmagazine.com or by calling (919) 674-6020.

Read More:CarolinaNewsWire

(ARA) – As Halloween approaches, the seasonal “to-do” list, typically marked with finding the perfect costume and trick-or-treat route, is a bit more complicated with the growing need to protect the environment and manage household budgets. In preparing for your neighborhood ghosts and goblins, try these easy tips and tricks to “go green,” and spend less on your families’ spook-tacular celebration.

Howl to be Green
Incorporating small changes into your holiday preparation will go a long way to create an eco-friendly Halloween. Whether you’re hosting a party or adding colorful flare to the home or office, take inventory of your decorations and go back to nature by using locally-grown pumpkins, apples or fresh gourds to create tabletop and front porch accents. Organic, pesticide-free produce is widely available at farmers markets, grocery and specialty stores and leaves little waste once the celebration ends.

Also look for ways to “re-use” your Halloween accessories. Cloth or canvas shopping bags and pillowcases are great alternatives to paper, plastic bags and more traditional plastic jack-o-lanterns used by many trick-or-treaters to collect candy. Gather fall-colored scraps of fabric, ribbon, buttons or food coloring and spend the afternoon with the kids decorating a recyclable trick-or-treat bag. Use the custom creation to hand out candy at your door and your house will be the hit of the neighborhood.

Howl to Save
Spend less this Halloween by using old or outgrown clothes, sports equipment or dress-up items to make one-of-a-kind costumes. Unpack your graduation gown and buy a gavel at a thrift or prop store to transform your trick-or-treater into a judge. Dust off a wedding gown or bridesmaid’s dress, polish an old pair of pumps and grab a wig from a costume store and you’ve got a princess. Host a costume trading party and make sure everyone comes with old clothing or accessories to trade. Let the kids use their imaginations and see how many new and different costumes come to life.

You can also save by using recyclable household materials to decorate. Bed sheets hung from the ceiling or tree branches make convincing ghosts, as do balloons covered with a white sheet, tied with a ribbon around the neck and black felt tapped on for eyes. The sheets can be taken down, laundered and returned to the linen closet once Halloween is over.

Howl to Have Fun at Home
Consider baking at home this year to get everyone in the Halloween mood. Find unique recipes for Halloween treats that can be used as decorations or centerpieces before you indulge.

Gather everyone around and make creepy “edible eyeballs” with mini white powdered donuts, Life Savers Gummies, red icing and chocolate chips. Cover the hole in the center of the donut with a thin layer of icing and top with a gummy. Next, dip the bottom of a chocolate chip in icing before layering it on the gummy. Make the eyeball scary by drawing lines from the center of the donut to the outer edge with red icing. Finish the treat by poking each donut with a lollipop stick and arranging them in a bowl of candy corn to make a freaky yet tasty centerpiece.

Howl to Be Safe
Set the seasonal mood by decorating trees and sidewalks with lights and lanterns while making it easier for trick-or-treaters to find their way from door to door. Neat, well-lit landscapes make everyone feel more comfortable and confident.
Another simple way to help ghosts and goblins find their way door to door is to use makeup to finish a costume as an alternative to masks. Face paint makes it much easier for trick-or-treaters to see … especially at night

(NewsUSA) – During the 1963 March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered what would become his most famous public words. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech left an indelible imprint on hundreds of thousands of civil rights demonstrators that day and would continue to do so for generations to come. Now, more than 45 years after King’s inspirational words rang through the crowd of more than 200,000 people, plans for King’s legacy to be immortalized in a large-scale memorial are fast becoming a reality.

In early 2008, construction will commence at the site of the the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, a four-acre plot located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. For the past 10 years, the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation has led this historic effort, taking the helm after it was conceived more than two decades ago. Throughout this time span, the Foundation has remained committed to King’s legacy, virtues and humanity for all people -; regardless of race, color or creed.

“This year we will see the culmination of a decade’s worth of work,” said Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president and CEO of the MLK National Memorial Project Foundation. “We enthusiastically anticipate reaching a number of key milestones that will bring the national MLK Memorial one step closer to taking its permanent residence on the National Mall in our nation’s capital.”

The MLK Memorial will be situated adjacent to the FDR Memorial, directly between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. The centerpiece of the MLK Memorial is the “Stone of Hope,” a three-story statue of King that emerges from a stone wall of granite. A grove of cherry trees will also encompass the landmark to underscore themes of justice, love and hope.

“To date, we have raised nearly $90 million for the MLK National Memorial Project -; but we are still working tirelessly to meet the $100-million goal required to actually build and maintain the memorial,” Johnson said.

For more information on the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project, or to find out how to contribute, visit www.BuildtheDream.org or call 1-888-4-THE-DREAM.

For the 22nd year, more than a hundred people gathered in downtown Raleigh on Good Friday to re-enact Jesus’ last steps, marching with crosses and calling attention to social justice issues. This year’s Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace focused on immigration, but as in past years, marchers also called for an end to torture, the death penalty and the war in Iraq. Several Franciscan friars and retired Roman Catholic Bishop F. Joseph Gossman were among the marchers.It was Good Friday, the day Christians believe Jesus died on the cross. In keeping with tradition, the marchers re-enacted the 14 Stations of The Cross, the 14 stops Jesus made as he carried his cross to the site where he was crucified by the Romans. At each stop between the Capitol and the U.S. post office on Fayetteville Street, marchers recited a litany of prayers in English and Spanish. As they walked, those in the crowd sang, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” and “We are marching in the light of God.”

Read More:News & Observer

(ARA) – With the onset of spring comes the Easter holiday and the celebration is not complete without the traditional treat-filled basket. For those looking for a unique twist to this holiday ritual, consider customizing the Easter baskets you give your loved ones. Include a variety of trinkets and toys that match your little (and big) ones’ interests to create a fun, personal Easter celebration.

Here are some ideas for every personality type:

The Sports Fan: Spring means one thing to the sports enthusiast: baseball season! Complement the traditional jelly bean and bunny-shaped confections with trading cards and stickers from their favorite team. Throw in a catcher’s mitt and baseball and you will hit a homerun!

The Little Princess: Some girls’ love of the color pink never fades, so bring a smile to the face of your “girliest” girl this Easter with a pink-inspired Easter basket. Costume jewelry, lip gloss and a beaded purse give her the perfect dress accessories. Customize the “basket” further by delivering the items in a pink duffle bag or carry-all, leaving her with a basket she can use year round.

The Practical Joker: The refreshing humor of practical jokes and silly toys never gets old. Consider designing a basket filled with gag gifts and funny items. Clever treats like the Hubba Bubba Cluckers, a wind-up chicken that lays tasty gum eggs, are a great basket centerpiece for that true comedian at heart. Finish the basket with classic “funny” items like a whoopee cushion, slinky, googley eyeglasses and a movie starring your loved one’s favorite comedian.

The Intellectual Game Guru: Sudoku and crossword puzzles keep even the brightest of players on their toes. Keep brainteaser and puzzle fans guessing with a game-inspired Easter basket. Card games and mini board games provide hours of entertainment, particularly if your family is traveling over the Easter holiday or during spring break. Gift the items in a “basket” that can also be used to store the games once the season ends.

The Artist: For the creative one in your family, fill his or her basket with a small sketchbook, watercolors, paint brushes and a music CD. Add some colorful candy, like an assortment of jelly beans, to inspire their inner artist. You might end up with a new work of art for the refrigerator.

The Health Nut: Even the healthiest, most fitness conscious folks don’t want to miss out on the Easter basket tradition. Create a “wellness” basket with active lifestyle items like a jump rope, a training watch, a pedometer or an inflatable Pilates ball to keep your athlete on the move. Substitute traditional sweets with low-calorie alternatives like Extra sugar-free gum, which recently earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance for helping to improve dental health.