The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
Looking Toward Christmas.

Looking Toward Christmas.
The thought which goes into Christ
mas present wrought by the giver' s
own hands adds a value to the gift
which cannot be reckoned in dollars
and cents. Every one realizes this. 1t
is not possible to work for people with
out bearing them in mind; and we do
not willingly keep those in mind whose
presence there is not agreeable.
Happily, so many ingenious minds
/ and fingers have been at work in the
last few years, that there is no end to
the simple, pretty and artistic things
that have been produced-t things which
! every woman with the average degree
! of skill can reproduce as souvenirs for
! her friends
If one of these friends is the mistress
of household given to hospitality,
there is nothing which she will appre-
ciate more than set of dinner ia
vors." For these there are numbers of
pretty novelties easy to make, and
pleasant TO receive. An appropriate
favor is a cracker which proves also to
be scent-sachct and a pin-cushion.
Square and round pieces OF pasteboard
are cut the size of soda crackers. Then
have on each side n thin layer of bat
ting. on. which the perfumed powder
is laid. The covers are of pale silk as
nearly the shade as can be procured of
the cracker. These are neatly over
stitched. Then, with a silk thread, the
same shade as the silk, stitches are
taken through and tightly drawn, simu-
lating the pricking of the cracker.
These are not too regularly taken, but |
with that appearance of a careless effort |
at regularity which the hasty baker |
gives. But the cracker is not yet done; |
the last artistic touch is to be given |
with little deeper shade of brown wa
ter color paint. which initiates to per-
lection shading of into the tint of the
silA-the inequalities OF the oven which
give here and there deeper tinge to
the bak NJ. \ plate full of these mixed
crackers IS so deceptive that astonish-
ment and surprise will break up the
iciest forInality of dinner party, for
which again your hostess will thank you
over and over.
Painted menu cards have been so oft
EN- described that there is but little fur
Their TO say than that usually, when am
ateurs undertake anything of the kind,
they make the mistake of undertaking
too much. The most desirable menu
card does not require to be a thing of
beauty, but of mind and humor-esp7ft,
rs the French say. Whatman's water
,olOr paper with good grain, cut into
he necessary shape, is material enough
or beginning. If one can draw or de- | ,
'ign, the deed is three -fourths done. If I
lot, doa't disdain tracing-paper in the
ervice of your friend. Fortunately, in !
me way or another the country is flood :
ID with suitable designs. None are !
,rettier than those which are usually :
Kate Greenaway figures, but which en- !
race figures from Patience" as well ,
5 ''Pinafore," and sketches full of hui :
nor and spirit from a hundred other I
ervices.
Let these be neatly transferred to the q
ards and cOlored in delicate fiat tints, =
Thich little practice will teach you to J
ny on smoothly. Then school Yourself =
the lettering, for pungent legend e
nil help to pass off your possibly IN
lillful drawing. At the dinner-table !
eople are not usually critical, and will a
ccept your intention for your perform +
nee. Guests will compare cards, en-
)y lucky chance hit, and thus every
ling goes off merrily; your cards be- !!
ONE souvenirs of n happy evening, and
ave not only given pleasure to one,
ut have put it out, as it were, at COM q
ound interest.
Nothing finds a place here which is =
OF at once feasible and inexpensive, q
ecause these Christmas presents are to
urdsn no one either in none V or labor. o
hus, for young lady's room cabinet i
lay be made. By this is to be under u
tood box fastened on to a frame D
vhlch, by projecting above and below G
With irregular ends, becomes orna-
mental. The box may be O, any plain L
wood. A good piece of veined .
line serves as well as a more costly S
yood. To this is fitted door which is a
made like frame to the inner panel o
his panel is covered with straw mat n
ing, such as comes on tea-chests. The
Mating is either left in its natural state, n
r covered with liquid gold The dec n
ration is piece of broad painting in b
il-some heavy petaled pink and u
rimsOn roses, or your friends favor Il
lie flower. If DIES red, the mating may v
re embroidered instead of painted. Il
In the same way a most convenient I
all-pocket can be made. An oblong t
lab makes the back; the material, if it p
e stiff enough, is of no conse Juence. r
his is covered with mating. and framed t
or this pUrT ose the gTooved ash and c
ak mUlding Is suitable. a second "
horter piece is prepared in the same Il
,ay, and decorated as has been de- u
.ribcd above for the cabinet Holes o
re bored in the corners, and the two "
re fastened together and hung on the il
vail with no more expensive a hanging q
han twisted wrapping cord.-N /. Il
- tkf3tHcT. q