Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-11
MiseellaneoMs.
HINTS ON HOUSE DECORATION.

III ~ oFIti "A way rs possible, therefore.
we will endeavor TO describe some few
oi the modes whereby the novice may un-
derstand the ways and means of making
the home-nest a more CHEEKY aud beauti-
iul spot during the festival season, when
friends ARE wont to be gathered round the
"ingleside'
1t is scarcely worth while perhaps to oc-
cupy our limited space in describing the
method of Towering ropes with evergreens.
forming cOrdons. which enter largely into
Christmas decoration, as they are required
tor testooning around the walls, bordering
doors and window frames. twining about
pillars, and which merely consists in bind
my bunches OF green upon stretched
ropes.
Garlands are of similar character and
made in like manner, excepting that
strong hemp cord is substituted for rope.
These are required for twining about legs
OF tables, chandelier is, brackets, etc.
One OF the most effective vet simple
methods OF forming shields and other
forms of tablets. for texts, notices, or
other lettering, is this Construct frame
oi shape and size desired by mailing laths
together and covering with white or col.
ored muslin, stretched tightly over and
tackled securely along the edges. Then
with coOred chalk sketch upon the surface
any word desired, (using as guide, per-
haps, ornamental letters from newspaper
headings or advertising placards). Then
cover neatly with green leaves, small
leaves, small sprigs of evergreen. or even
the ravelings from green Brussels carpet,
sewed on in long clusters. and border with
ivy ribbon or flat garands.
4 in
cut from stiff pasteboard, and covered
with green, or painting the surface with
mucilage. and sprinking with powdered
moss or green ravelings shred very fine.
Berries add vastly to the beauty OF this
work, and should be added at intervals of
few inches. Ii natural ones. such as
bitter-sweet, cunning bush" holly. rose
lips. etc. have not been secured. a beauti
ful substitute is made by fastening balls of
wax, putty, or stiff dough on stems OF
wire then dipping into scarlet sealing
wax dissolved in hot alcohol, or in wax
colored crimson, yellow, orange. or pur-
pie, with the powdered pigments used in
painting.
Mosalcs of flowers are extremely beau
tiful for various purposes, as for flat
crosses, anchors, shields, stars, etc. Take
II DOulu vi WulcQ cover TO
depth OF one inch with clay or putty.
On this mark out (with pointed tooD
some geometrical design, arranged with
u center piece, in lozenge form. surround
ed by contrasting border with corner
pieces and other points of distinct form
or moulded pattern, such as a stove
plate, or small article like key may be
pressed upon the plastic material and at
ford excellent designs. The pattern laid
out, proceed TO arrange the various col
ors, If flowers cone-scales, leaves, bits OF
evergreen, acorn cups, etc, with artistic
taste As regards contrast, pressing each
piece firmly down into the clay and let
ting them press closely against each other.
In using immortelles or other flowers.
cut off the stems to three-fourths OF an
inch. After finishing allow to dry thor
oughly, then secure with cords, or nail Sc
curely against the wall.
To form words of ''cut-out' letters.
paper, velvet plush, silk. or cloth may
be used, with fine effect as regards color,
AS red with gold. blue and black let
Iers: blue with silver and scarlet; light
green with gold, black and scarlet; vio-
let with pale green, scarlet, and gold.
Ivy ribbon for borders is simple and
pretty, whether made OF natural leaves.
Or those of wax. paper, or muslin. either
of which are sewed upon one-inch wide
strips of strong paper or tape, placing one
leaf partly over the other SO that they
rCoNCLUDED ON FOURTH rAGE.1