The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-12-28
4lseful and Curious.
CHRISTMAS WORK.

Besides the SNOWFALL rs n mode of giving pres
en;s. there is the Christmas ship, Christmas
basket, omnibus of gifts, bazar stall, aud
gypsy tent; all these d ai-ans Of prs
e1t-giving. We introduced anolh- r last year:
one Of the party dressed rs n wizard, appsard
behind a table, in front Of which was huge pair
Of scales, and either side two heaps Of presents
one for the girls, the other for the boys. On each
was the name of the recipient: the wizard placed
one from each heap in the scales, and with d
long running accompaniment, called the nsrnes
ofthe children TO receive th-m. who came up and
claimed them. will name few tribes
Balls of string secured in small Japanese baskets;
the edge of the basket is bordrrrd with fancy
gimp, bow of ribbon on either side. Travelling
cases for umbrellas and parasols. They are made
of four pieces of brown holland having eolossd
stripes. The pieces are half yard long. and
four inches bruad, sewn togrthrr and bound
with braid, and drawn together NJ the top aud
bottom in the same way. Bay of sweets at 50
much pound. yard of coarse net, which make
mp into purses and little bags, fill them with
the goodies, tie and ornament with culorrd rib
hons. lon can buy some tiny baskets. which.
filled with swerts, and covered with nrt, make
good addition To a tree; and glass and sugar
balls, sugar fruit. prpny Whistles and tin toys
should be hung about to glitter. A dozen chi
na dolls are acceptable, dressed in rel cloaks,
fairies aud ladies in ball costumes. A gypsy may
have turnet-upapro with receptael-s f''r NEE
dies; basket in her hand with cotton, scissors
maid has reels of cotton instead of milk pals.
For pin-cushions and nredrbooks, should rec
ommend q sheet of cardboard be sk-tched intO
hearts, guitars, rOunds, de-. covered with silks.
Walnut shells, lined, make good thimblr eases;
walnuts, covered with gold and silver leaf, and
tied with ribbon, are ornamental on the tree.
slipper and a tube suitable for fhimblc cases
Pincushions arc now covered with yellow SATIN,
yeiied with lace, and almost covered by n single
snnhower, every other petal being removed,
tl.l min mt hsfxE Inv
cred with glazed lining, lace, and figured muslin
are much used by ladies' who like pretty toilet
tables, and they are readily bought. Discarded
long boxes, lined and covered, make glove box-s.
Squarer onrs answer for keeping handk-rchirfs
odds and ends of ribbons and lace in Round
ones can be made up and sold for collars; and all
to be scented. Wooden d&S- de foie gras boyes
can be painted, lined, and finished with piece
of velvet like r bag, with riblon draw string.
These make work receptaclcs. The common straw
wall basket, gilded, with TIN fitted in, can be
planted with firm, and thus be ornamental.
Muslin chair backs. with cretouur flowers gum
med on, are pretty for temporary use. and can
he made by children or old ladies' They last a
long time and If the muslin is good il will wash,
and stand being ornamented again. The circu
lar screens, edged with with narrow lace cover
ed with chintz, for kerpingon y mantle shell, are
new. They have bow Of rol"rrd glazed, the
linen in The centre finish, th-hande il wou al
round with the same. At bazars are charged -.
are made of canvas 10y working the outside in
cross STITCH in alternate rows OF white aud of
colored stars, lining with satin scrnting with
sachrt powder put into the lining. This is
Danish work, and the effrct is good. For the
white stars, white .'foss-t-" can lie used. ~ il
looks like silk: for colorr ONES ii SELF is required.
The starsare worked thus: One double cross stitch
covering four canvas threads each way,) then
three cross sttch-s in line. then five, then tlr
and one again. The space that n covers is
left between the stars in working in line, and
into this the end stItrh the second row of stars
is worked, that they fit in. hning the canvas.
In blue and whit. clarrt aud gold in black a..d
cherry, this il effective. Tea cosy aud table cloth
are attractive. For example: rsl cnsy. with
spray Of irssamine Of silk, aud white oatmeal tea
cloth, with band of red satin to match, with
narrow running pattern. A cloth and easy of
oatmeal cloth with snnilowers in the corners and
each side. Table cloths of dark blue. with
red border, and hand of crOss-stitch work uf a
convenient design where the borders join. ear
ried out in gold filesele. The work il on canvas,
and is then drawn away, leaving the design on
the srrSe.-The Queen.