Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-08-04

shelf; and rs the wall paper did not form
an harmonious background, n strip Of
nevcr-failing velveteen, rounded at the
top, to form n graceful background to
each plate, ,and to prevent an ugly straight
line, was hammered on with ornamental
brass s-headed tacks, which may be had at
any ironmongers shop for three-pence
per dozen: and now my ugly recesses
look quite beautifed. A little table in
each recess looks inviting, with small
bunch of flowers or an album placed
thereon.
For some considerable time | was an
ardent admirer of the over-mantels" or
"mantel cupboards which are so much
in vogue nowadays, i'll place of the old
fashioned mirrors, which in former days
occupied the post of honor over the chim-
ney-piece. For long was content to nd
mire then the idea cropt into my head
that surely the manufacture of such mn
article could not be attended with insur-
mountable difficulties. The thought of
purchasing such thing did flash across
my mind, but the large prices asked for
them quite deferred me from putting that
project into execution 80 | must either
continue to admire Mt distance or try to
make "mnntel cupboard for myself.
And this l resolved to do.
A large packing-case was called into
requisition to provide the necessary ina
terial. 1t would be out of place were I
to enter into details of the manufacture
of the much coveted piece of furniture !;
suffice it to say that with the aid of friend
who is very clever at cabinet and joincry
work, most desirable result was oh
tanned, and am now the happy possessor
OF an elegant, artistic, black-and- gold
cupboard, which occupies the entire
length of the drawing room chimney
piece, is four feet nine inches high at the
centre, has two small cupbouds filled
with old china at each side, each cupboard
ornamented with two beautifully turned
pillars. About eight inches from the top
of the centrepiece, a narrow black-and-
gold beading bought at picture-fram-
er's shops carried along and five or
six inches underneath the beading is
placed n shelf, i'll order to relieve the
monotony of the large black board which
economy compelled me to substitute for
the mirror which generally forms the
centre of the cupboard. Black Japan q"
once more came to the front. and two
coats of that served to cover the wood
with brilliant black surface. which
formed n capital foundation of gold-ink
designs. The cupboards are open, so
there was plenty of scope for artistic pro-
clivities. Ferns, leaves and conventional
figures were the subjects chosen and
when / look at the cupboard and consid-
er how very small was the outlay of time
and money expended on it, l can hardly
believe my own eyes. The most expen-
sive item, comparatively, was the turning
In tt,,.
and sixpence for doing the eight, but they
form prominent ornaments to the cup
board.
/ hal some finely worked strips oi silk
canvas. Originally they were a pair of
"braces, but the kid ends wore out, and
what to do with the work, which was
perfectly cleal. and fresh, was the next
question. With the help of three broad
bands of sage-green velvet, cord and tas-
sells to match handsome cushion was
speedily contrived; but the two short
pieces left off were source of annoyance
for long time, till one day the thought
Of transforming them into bannerets
occurred to me. The price asked by
Berlin-wool shopkeepers for banneret
stands far exceeded my limited purse
Suddenly 1 thought that a rustic stand
formed of twigs would be unique artistic,
and best Of all, cost nothing so / took
my boys for country walk, and we soon
had twigs enough and to spare Two
substantial pieces of branch the size re-
quired We're bound firmly into the shape
OF cross and on the top OF the cross
/ fastened several small pieces of twig,
to look as careless as possible. Ap-
ple-tree twigs are far the most suitable
g., al,
"antlers," which is the best effect to
produce. glued the crosses each into
round foot which came off an old otto
with the inevitable "Black Japan" The
strips of embroidery were too narrow, so
/ crocheted several rows of sage-green
silk on each side of the work painted
some stiff cardboard green, tackled the
work firmly on to that for a foundation,
and then sewed 1t on to the stand. Ny
bannerets have been so much admired,
that several have done me the honor of
copying the idea, which is sure proof
that it is n success. Any scraps of work
or old lace may be utilized in this way,
and our homes frightened and beautified
by exercising little of the skill and in-
genuity which every woman possesses
l had large supply of twigs left from
my design, 80 made n firescreen some
what resembling the shields and japanese
umbrellas 30 much used last Summer
In the first place, I borrowed my eldest
sons "hoop," a good-sized iron one.
Economically the idea was good but
that talkative young gentleman has made
me blush rosy red on several occasions by
informing my visitors that Mother
made my hoop into that birds nest. "
| covered the hoop with coarse brown
wrapper, bought at drapers shop for a
few pence, then scattered the twigs all
over. l tackled them on with twine, to
keep them i'll their places, and made an
imitation nest of cotton wool and feathers,
which l carefully glued on in the centre
Of the screen. Our hens at this juncture
kindly laid two or three very tiny eggs,
which were brought to me in triumph by
busy little fingers, and completed oui
screen by becoming the inmates of the
nest. 1t is most useful ornament fol
as we always have "cold fire laid the
screen can be removed in moment
when by the application of match, 4
cheerful fire speedily difi'uses warmth
and ruddy glow, very acceptable in this
tickle climate of onrs.
For some time / have had a vague ides
floating in my head as to door lanels
but my space for the nonce is quite ex
hausted, and all further talks about
economical decoration must be deferred
My end will have been amply achieved il
/ have induced any one to try for herself
how very readily the simplest materials
may be utilized to form articles tasteful
and pleasing for ones home and family
Truly, there are trials and SORROWS
enough in the world, and if we can adt
to its pleasures and qualifications, is il
not worth ones while to try?
, An odd sort of difficulty lately arose in
Canadian public school II occurred in Park