Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-06-04
DOMESTIC.

BEAUTIFYING HOMES. Now is the
time that housekeepers should improve
In beautifying their homes. NV little
article is not written for those who
live in homes of luxury. But all over
the hills and valleys of this land are
humble homes whose inmates have just
AS great love for the beautiful, and it
Is TO these my hints are written.
Mothers, whose days are spent in busy
household cares, or patiently following
after the little feet that run into so
much mischief, be not discouraged.
When the little ones beg for something
to do, let them work. A little cardboard,
with a needle and bright yarn, or even
a piece of hard soap, with a hammer
and carpet tack, is great relief. Their
little minds have got to be busted in
some way. Christ tells us to be faith
full in little things; and for everything
that we do TO make our homes pleas
anter or its inmates happier, we shall
receive reward in the bright faces
around us. By many little things we
can make our rooms pleasanter. We
can all have rag carpets; but, If we
save all bright pieces of woolen cloth
and make cushions and rugs of various
designs, some of which L will give,
with an improvement. Cut round
pieces of three eolors, and sew them
together with coarse white thread in
flannel stitch. Then arrange them on
heavy cloth in the form of diamonds
or squares, according to colOrs, and
you have a rug useful and pretty.
Another: Cut your colors like carpet
rags; then with coarse hook draw the
rags through coarse canvas or burlap.
like the worsted tides. This is more
work, but when done is beautiful. l
saw one of the design of which deer
was lying down. If you have engrav-
ings that want frames, make them of
stiff pasteboard or pine. Wet the front
side with glue, then place black cord
in the middle in the form of a vine, and
with melon or citron seeds put on in
the form of grape leaves, and peas in
the shape of punches Of grapes, the re-
mainder of the frame covered with
grass seed, and then stained black or
brown, You will hare good imitation
of leather work. Or simply putting
glass over the picture, then paste black
cambric over the edge, with a little gilt
paper to relieve il, is quite pretty.
Every one is familiar with the frames
of cigar-lighters. For brackets, card
receivers and fruit baskets, gather up
all the old hoop-skirts. Strip off the
covering, then bend them in any shape
you please. Tie them fast with strong
thread. Tie on all the raisin stems you
can find. Then melt quantity of
beeswaX. Put in a little resin to harden
it, and some vermillion to color il red.
Then hold your work over the dish,
and dip the preparation over it, and
you will have handsome coral work. If
you wish bouquets fOr your vases,
gather the different Kinds of grasses
when in blossom Dry in dark room,
and with grains and the wild everlast-
you will be surprised at their beauty.
Every one admires beds draped in
white, and for those who have not time
for the homemade counterpanes OF
muslin with cotton yarn drawn in pat
tern, very good ones are made of
bleached drilling. And with all the
rest, do not forget yourself. With
your hair smooth, dress neat, a knot of
bright ribbon or cluster of flowers at
your throat, a bright smile on your
face, what can better make your hus-
band forget the cares and trials of the
day than the thoughts of happy home,
with such a presiding angel over all.