The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-24

case, ana WaShSldld cost me so. he
chairs were made of two old rockers,
which were covered with an old quilt.
put on loosely, then stuffed with Ex-
c~elsior. The outside covering is pale
blue satin. Down the center and
| cushion is an embroidered strip of
dark blue velvet, with applique figures
of g~old-colored satin. Ottomans, made
of SHAREHOLDERS, match the chairs.
The curtains are dotted Swiss, a tiuted
ruffle on the edges, and lambrequins
of blue rep. The cornice is of silver.
This. though handsome, illustrates
that its not all silver that glitters. A
strip Of pine covered with tin foil
makes the cornice. In the center is a
spray of flowers and leaves, made of
foil, pressed on wax-leaf molds. An
old stand made my toilet-table. The
covering is dotted Swiss over blue
cambria, and trimmed with 1uted
%rufies, ruching, and bows of blue satin
ribbon. The looking glass, over the
table, has a silver frame, to match the
cornice. Full draperies of the Swiss
fall over each side OF the table. At
the top they are caught into q carved
half-round bracket, on which stands a
bust of Clytie. My pillow and sheet
shams are made of strips of pale blue
satin and coarse ace insertion, edged
with wide lace. AS hair mattresses are
expensive, | made mine myself. The
mattress-needle costs 30 or IS cents.
Nine yards of yard-wide ticking is
sufficient for n mattress. My mantel
IS a piece of pine board the lambre-
uuins white net. darned in deep seal
Tops and lined with blue. The toilet
covers and splash-mat are to match.
H.. ,,,, lr,.lvatc had E,a ,, l. ao,r NO
out a pine board. This was covered
with several thicknesses Of fine white
muslin, stretched tightly. Several
layers Of cloth were pasted together
and made into leaves and flowers, by
pressing on wax-tower molds. These,
when stiff, were put into place on the
bracket. | like a rose and bunch of
leaves best. Fasten your spray, II
above and one below the shelf, then
cover the whole bracket with a wash
of plaster-of-Paris and water.
My crockery was plain stone-ware
but was made beautiful by medallions
of transfer pictures and embossed gilt
bands. My ~pincushion is blue velvet,
embroidered with pearl beads, with a
lace cover. A watch-case to match.
A catch-all hangs in one corner. Cut
a piece of silver board, 5 inches wide
and Is long. Sew the ends together.
For the bag part take blue silk, 6
inches wide and 20 inches long. Sew
one end quite full on the edge Of the
cardboard and gather the lower edge
tightly together. This makes a bag.
On this hang a silk tassel. Trim the
edges with plated satin ribbon and
white lace, transfer a spray of moss
roses in the center, and hang up with
satin ribbon. The hair and hairpin-
receivers, match holder. and shaving
paper case We're all to match.
A sachet and handkerchief holder
was a square of blue satin, wadded
with pertumed cotton (quilted), and
the folded over and trimmed
with plated ribbon and lace, and a
tiny rose laid in the center. where they
meet. For my bracket | made silver
vases by painting pottery urns of
antiqde shape a pale gray and covering
with tin foil. For my mantelI bought
lamp-chimneys with scalloped tops.
Some were painted blue some white,
with transfer medallion on the sides
and gilt-embossed bands on the edge.
When filled with crystallized grasses
and put on blue mats, no one would
guess they only cost 10 cents apiece.
Grasses put into water and sprinkled
with flour are very snowy and pretty
for vases. My pictures were engravings
and photographs. | could not afford
to buy frames; SO | made them of
pasteboard, covered with blue velvet,
and pinked bands Of gilt paper on each
edge. This makes a frame you need
not be ashamed of.
l haven't told you of half the waysI
made something out Of nothing. for l
know the editor is frowning, and say
ing | have run over my 6 pages but /
hope some Of the hints | have given
may be of us to some one whose purse,
as we'll as mine, resembles Anne
Boleyn's neck, in being very small.
GRACE HARRIS,
Hares' Corner, Delaware.