SATURDAY SCOOPS
Need a gift? Make a bag

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Carole McLoughlin checks the finished look of one of her handmade bags. Photo by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The registered nurse took up purse-making this year, whipping up one for her mother and others (shhh! don't tell) for friends' Christmas gifts. With three daughters, two sons and assorted in-laws, there's plenty of need for a beach bag, a schoolbook tote, even an over-the-shoulder errands bag.

It's simple, really, and you can make one yourself today. It all begins with thick, upholstery- or curtain-grade fabric with pretty Hawaiian prints. McLoughlin found some beautiful bamboo, florals and even a fun vintage hula-girl design at a Windward fabric shop.

Then, find a couple of matching handles. McLoughlin unearthed her plastic bamboo pairs at both fabric and craft stores, but the varieties are endless.

A few straight stitches, one tricky angled one around the handle and a lining later — voila! — one bag to go.

All together, between the cutting of fabric and the sewing and finishing touches, it's easy to make a bag in less time it takes to do the week's grocery shopping.

The only problem?

"I like these so much, maybe I can't give them away!" McLoughlin said with a laugh as she admired her handiwork.

She used a pattern from a book to make a square bottom, but those with a few geometry classes under their belt can make their own simple patterns.

Just cut a rectangle twice the size of the purse you want (once it's folded, that will be the tote). Line it with a smooth fabric, and tack it down. Use a strong needle in your machine when you put the layers together.

Add a pocket inside, if you're feeling daring. And when you sew the handle on with an extra length of fabric, make sure to use a zipper foot on the machine.

Of course you can go upscale, too, by adding beads, feathers, trinkets and doo-dads.

(One tip to townie crafters: A trip to the new Wal-Mart shows plenty of doo-dads are available here, too.)

Hawaiian print fabrics paired with bamboo handles are among easy-to-find materials that Carole McLoughlin uses to create her handmade bags.

Some books (available at bookstores, craft stores or at Amazon.com):

• "Handmade Bags," by Terence Terry, Caroline Darke; paperback
• "Making Handbags & Purses: 50 Patterns & Designs from Casual to Corporate" by Carol Parks
• "Quick to Make: Stylish Gifts to Craft in a Day," by Threads Magazine
• "Making Handbags: Retro, Chic, Luxurious," by Ellen Goldstein-Lynch, et al; paperback

'Nothing is the Same' players will take their final bows this afternoon

From left, BullDog, Reb Beau Allen, Janice Terukina and, front, Jason Kanda star in "Nothing is the Same," the Honolulu Theatre for Youth production that ends with two shows today. Advertiser library photo • 2004

"Nothing" is the tale of four kids in Wahiawa on Dec. 7, 1941, and the effects of the war on their young lives. Final-show times are at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. today at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral. Tickets are $16 general, $8 seniors and youths. 839-9885, www.htyweb.org.

Portraits come alive at academy

Another month, another Bank of Hawaii Free Sunday at the Ho-nolulu Academy of Arts. Tomorrow's theme is "Living Portraits," with costumed docents and drama students bringing artwork to life.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. 532-8700. The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor.

No sunset, but brunch returns

What, no Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki this weekend? Well, at least there's Brunch on the Beach tomorrow along Kalakaua Avenue.

This month there's a tie-in to the new film "Christmas with the Kranks," which opens Wednesday and stars Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. So there'll be a "Kranks"-sponsored booth where kids can create holiday ornaments, and prizes will be given, too. Santa makes an appearance, from 10 to 11 a.m., for photos with the keiki.

As usual, restaurants will offer sample-sized fare at pretty reasonable prices. Na Palapalai will headline the entertainment.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Look for the big blue umbrellas, tables and chairs on the artificial grass. Admission is free, but bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

Build a bear for military kids

Head for the new Build-a-Bear Workshop at Ala Moana Center: The first 400 guests today can make a bear for free that will be donated to the United Service Organizations as part of the Stuffed with Hugs program. The bears will be given to kids of military families.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m.; 951-9200.

Gifts with a Hawai'i Theatre flair

Here's a reminder: The Hawai'i Theatre is converting its gift shop into a logo store, and holding a sale of souvenirs, jewelry, music boxes, toys, ornaments, games, cookbooks, frames, candles and more.

Volunteer Claire Engle, who has cared for the gift shop for the past eight years, is retiring and moving to the Mainland.

The sale runs today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enter under the new marquee and head upstairs.

For more information (and to congratulate Engle on her retirement), call 734-2355.

Music in air at Turtle Bay benefit concert, Aloha Tower celebration

Alerts for Island-music fans:

• Cecilio and Kapono, (pictured), Ho'onu'a, Three Plus, Vaihi, TOA and Roots Rockaz are scheduled to perform at today's concert "Look Beyond My Eyes." The event is a benefit for Daniel Mapu, 23, who was struck by two vehicles as he held anti-drug signs on Kamehameha Highway in Ka'a'awa in 2003. He is still recovering.

The concert is from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Turtle Bay Resort's Kahuku Ballroom. Tickets are $25 at the door ($20 on ticketmaster.com, including processing charge).

• Aloha Tower Marketplace celebrates its 10th anniversary with all-day activities and all-night music. Among the performers: Wicked Blend (9 p.m. at Bikini Cantina); Sean Na'auao and Robi Kahakalau (6 p.m. at Chai's Island Bistro); Inoa'ole (10 p.m. at Don Ho's); Maunalua and eight0eight (5 and 8:30 p.m., respectively, at Gordon Biersch); and Cecilio and Kapono (9 p.m. at Kapono's). And it's all free.

Fashion maven visits; mall kicks off holiday fun

This Reyn's Hawaiian Christmas 2004 shirt will be among the fashions featured at Kahala Mall's celebration. Photo courtesy of Reyn's

• Kelly Gray seems to lead the glamorous life we lesser mortals can only dream about. As the creative director, co-CEO and signature model for St. John, the luxury label so popular with fashionable Island women, she travels the globe and is photographed with a bevy of gorgeous guys in exotic locales.

Ad campaigns have taken her from the deserts of Arizona to the Las Vegas Strip to the most elegant beach resorts in Europe. Now a promotional tour is bringing her to Honolulu.

Meet Gray and view the St. John cruise and spring 2005 collection from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. today on the second level at Neiman Marcus Ala Moana.

• Holiday fashions hit the catwalk during SPARKLE! — the Kahala Mall's pre-holiday celebration embracing fashion and music, from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the mall's Center Court. Among the highlights: a limited-edition Hawaiian Christmas 2004 aloha shirt from Reyn's.