Connecticut western news., 1880-11-24
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
Very Pretty and Very Cheap-How
 to Make Them.

Very Pretty and Very Cheap-How
 to Make Them.
 Blotting books are easily made and are very useful. Stiff crash in two thicknesses makes a good back for one of these. Gut the strips nine inches wide and sixteen in length. Work the outer one in cross stitch with the monogram of the person for whom it is intended just where it will come in the centre of the upper lid of the book. Bind the edges with scarlet woolen braid or with ribbon, so as to hold the pieces together. More elegant blotters are of satin or velvet, made in the same way. Double the back through the middle, like the back of a book, and work two buttonholes lengthwise in the crease. Gut plotting paper to fit, forming, say eight leaves. and fasten in by ribbon passed in through one buttonhole and out at the other, through the paper, and tied at the back in bow. Elm broidery may be substituted for the monogram if desired, or etching. For this last design from Kate Grunaway's s "Under the Window" or from "Mother Goose," etc., looks we'll. If you cannot draw, have the design stamped and mark the lines over with India ink; or, work the pattern in outline stitch in color to match the binding.
 A useful present, also, is little case to be carried in the pocket when travel ing, containing scissors, comb, pins, needles, black and white cotton Con flat winders), sticking-plaster, stamps, button-hook and thimble. This may be made of enameled cloth or leather, with loops of elastic arranged on it in such a manner that it will fold into @ little packet about the size of a letter and only little thicker.
 Tea cosies grow in popularity, and are at once pretty and useful. They are made in cap shape to cover the teapot, and, as their mission is to keep the tea hot, must be warmly wadded and lined. Quilted silk, satin or merino are the materials most used for them, but some are daintily embroidered or hand painted.
 The fashionable side bags will figure largely as Christmas presents this year. Those most liked are the fiat bags, with plated rims and with catches and chain. Others are in reticule shape, plain or embroidered, and some are exquisitely hand painted in floral designs.
 Pin-cushions are legion. The hand somest are of plush. Next comes silk or satin, so beautifully embroidered or painted that, as lady said of oue such, it would be sin to stick pin in it. ''
 Fans also appear among fashionable fancy work. A fve-cent Japanese fan with long handle forms the foundation. This is covered with satin, embroidered, painted or trimmed with lace and flowers. Some have butterfly, others ! humming- bird in nest of lace, and all are finished with satin ribbon.
 Pen-wipers pass enumeration. The newest are in form of a miniature tea, cosy, the cosy lined by stiff card and filled in with strips of cloth, or, better yet, with ends of black worsted. The outside should be prettily worked. Another new pen wiper initiates shaw strap. To make this the cloth may be arranged in three different colored rolls for instance, red, blue and gray-anc padded by odd scraps until about hal an inch in diameter. Form small straps of enameled cloth, similar to those usei for shawls, and fasten the tiny luggage together. A few threads of gold colored silk will represent the buckles. Another style is small cup stuffed tight with { tassel of black wool indeed, there is nc limit to the forms which this necessary appendage to a writing table ma. assume.
 Very useful on a dressing table ar, the little baskets of three or four inche in diameter, just large enough to hold { spool of black cotton, one of white, thimble, needle-book and tiny pair o scissors. Baskets of this kind are to b. had resting on three legs and may, witt little patience and ingenuity, be mad exceedingly pretty as well as useful They should be carefully lined with little grey colored silk or satin an' should have small pocket, just larg enough for thimble, tackled inside and opposite this should be fastened tiny stuffed pin-cushion. The scissor should have @ sheath of the same colo as the lining, if possible, and the needle book should be small but convenient fo holding two flat papers of needles and leaf or two of fine flannel. A little COT round the edge of the basket is grea improvement and finish. Such are som of the trifes which may be made a Christmas presents for those who wi value the gift as part of the givel because it is her own handiwork.
 IMMIGRANTS. - Immigration to tn United States during the last ten year