The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-17
IPb, adelphia Times.J


There Is no lack this season OF apprOpri-
ale articles for Christmas-gifts which may
he made at home. Art needlework as ap-
nljed 10 home decoration is the fashionable
craze of the day. All mauBer of pretty
tr,fIes are popular, and the room looks bar
rem which docs not include some OF them
among it, furnishings.
or the more costly and elaborate Of these
we have slready spoken, but there are also
jpnumerable objects Of ornament and use
for people OF all sorts, some costing only a
few cents for materials. so that no one need
be At loss what TO make for Christmas.
The many tribes manufactured OF gilt
and silver cardboard look especially well
upon the Christmas-tree. Hair pin-cush
ions, photograph-noldeis ciear-cases, catch
ais, dir-casiies, intended for ornament only,
or for use as pn-cushlons; all these are
decorative and easily made. For the match
safes there are many patterns, the best OF
which is, perhaps, the double safe-two
boat-sbaped receptaces, one above the
other, for matches and burnt ends respect
jyely. Tins come for these, and the card
board must be cut to cover them. These
covers are ornamented with neediewOik or
scrap pictures, and the affair is suspended
Nv ribbon. Tins for whisk holders are
covered In the same way, finished with rib
bon quillngs, and with satin or silk at the
bottom 10 match. SpliDt work is also used
for these, and is very effective when pref
tiy embroidered. Such holder ilakes an
acceptable present TO either lady or gen.
eman.
Emptv mustard. or spice boxes form
Good foundation for cigar-holders. The
card .board is cut to fit and decorated t.
taste. The bottom-of card-bOard--is sewed
In. and quilted ribbon hides the join and
fioisbes the top of the case. ribbon Is
sewed TO the sides. and forms the handle
The same ease may be hung on the gas
bracket and used for lighters. In this case
the tapers should be made and The holder
filed before giving the present. Newspaper
holders ale pretty and easily mace Inc
frames for these are sold at fancy stores, and
are merely wooden or paper-mache backs,
with Sits through which the straps pass.
There are two Of these straps OF strong cam
vas. bound with ribbon and worked IN
uojnt Russo or cross stitch. These straps
hold The newspapers, and may be LEI out or
taken M, as desired. The holder Is to be
hung on the wall, and forms most orna-
mental adjunct TO study table.
DECORATED BASKETS.
Baskets Of all kinds are popular and are
% yariorsly decorated. Open wieker-b-skets
are sill 10 great favor Tor waste. oasSets.
They are decorated with lsm6requins MADE
az cloth, velvet, or saiteen. When this last
5 named material Is used, cretonne flowers
may be transferred TO the centre OF each
yapdyke and finished with silk or ciewels
round the edge; small tasses finish the
points. The smaller sizes have now been
adopted as ork.baskets, for which purpose
fbey are lined with Turkey red, and the
lining coming up beyond the top is used as
A bae and cal hered up with drawln2.sIrings.
These, however, are not new. but they de-
serve mention, as being both useful and
easy TO manufacture at home.
The small waste.paper baskets. which can
be purchased 10 plain white wicker, painted
black and gilded by the purchaser, have
now been adopted as fiower'pot covers, ana
very elegant ones they make, with their
square gilded handles standing up ana the
two small rings hanging down as ornaments
On either side. They can be decorated 10
MANY WAYS and take painting with great
effect. An especially elegant one was
stained black, gilded and painted. with a
wreath OF large sunflowers In oils round
the sides. Another method sayors Of the
JapaneSque. Itis 10 paint spray OF flowers
or branch of fruit dropping from one Of
be handles at one side only.
Englishwomen are adapting the tall silk
bats worn by gentlemen for waste paper
baskets and work-baskets. Ties hats, when
dismissed by their wearers, are usually only
O quarter worm as no one viii wear q
" shocking bad bat iii it be possible to get
new one, and to many ladies' 10 lind use
for the discarded ones will be great boon.
Wheu decorated ard beaut6ed they form
really q useful and pretty novelty. The
best way OF making them up is TO embroid-
or the straight piece round the bat first
cut out circle for the top, which will
not need decoration, as Ii Is not seen
then sew these on the bat securely, hidIng
the stitches round the crown with a cord
81 the coIors used. The br,m, cover, aud
the lining are prettiest VI nuted material. A
very elegant one was Of black satin, em-
broidered or painted with red geraniums
and the nuted timing and brim OF red satin
10 match. To connieract the extreme light
mas Of the bat II may be slightly weighted
with lead sewn Ia under the liniug. When
Abe hst.bssket described Is intended for
work, t0cps Of ribbons for scissors, Jhimble,
dc,, should be attached TO the edge, or 4
hs9-top tpsy te sewn round the top.
The cheap xeddo latx 50 much worn lasf