The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-03-18
HOLIDAY GIFTS.

The advent of the holiday season rem
derS the subject of gifts one of special
prominence in thousands of households,
gince the custom of bestowing some little
present, however humble, upon the
members of the family, is well-nigh
universal among civilized nations.
Materials for many economical and
tasteful gifts can be gathered from the
HcidS and woods, and you cannot begin
to make your collections too early in the
season.
Scarcely anything will come amiss-
moses, ferns, acoTns, leaves, cones,
shells, ~hchen-bark. sea-mosses, etc., etc.
FROM blrch-bark q great number of
useful as well as ornamental presents
can be made, such as wall-pockets,
holders for shaving-paper, pockets for
wnisk-brooms, card-baskets, napkin
rings, etc.
A pretty set of table-mats can be
made by weaving the dark and light
shades OF bark together. and edging off
with moss or fluffy worsted fringe.
Last year | made q pair Of vases Of
birch-bark. cutting four shapes, and a
notion piece for the stand, tying the
-dgcs together with ribbon-loops, and
%'PinSing'' the bark at the top. The
'aca was ornamented with pressed
rms, glued on, and when finished L
led each vase with bright autumn
clyns.
Covers fp- fowcr-pois can be made
~ III" same manner, with the exception
of the bottom uiece, which of course is
not needed. Tie bark will bear split
ing many times when il - desirable to
nave Il thin.
Wall-pooiee's for music, letters. car,ls
Or newspapers are tasteful and useful,
and easily made. There is u wide range
Of material from which to choose
cardboard, perforated board, in white.
| gold, blue. silver md birch-bark.
l have also seen very pretty wall
pockets made from the large, square
handkerchief-boxes, which merchants
are quite willing to part with when
empty. When the board or bark is to
be cut, one can choose any pattern
which pleases the eye.
Those who understand ''spatter-
work" "a plain white card
board to great advantage. A t~astefully
arranged group of ferns gives, perhaps,
more satisfaction to the ''spatterer''
thar a cluster OF leaves.
The ferns should be fastened on the
cardboard with small pins, at every
point, until the whole lies perfectly flat.
Prepare in n saucer some India ink,
moderately liquid; dip into it an old
toothbrush, and cause it to spatter, by
drawing it across the teeth of n comb.
II the ink is just right, the spatters
will be very fine and light; if too liquid
they will be large and unequal. BegiI
scattering at the center CT the group,
making it darker just about the ferns
by successive applications.
The same kind of ornamentstion up
on linen, with indelible ink, is pretty
for tides, toilet-sets, protectors for the
washstand and pin-cushion covers.
Inexpensive hanging-baskets can BE-
made by covering goblets from which
the stands have been broken, with a
little net of crocheted worsted, gathered
with 4 cord at the bottom, and hung up
with cords from tho top.
A piece of p~asteboard run about the
top of the cover renders it firmer. Wan
deting jew, or Inch plant, will grow
finely in these goblets, if they are kept
full of water.
For a court-plaster case, take two
pieces of white cardboard, four by three
inches work a simple pattern around
the edge of each with split zephyr or
colored silk; put the initials of the one
who is to receive it on one side, and on
the other, work in small letters, 81 heal
all wounds save those of love-" or;
IF a pin or knife should thee offend
This little case relief will lend"
Bind together the two sides and on.
end with narrow ribbon, or overcast
them with worsted or silk. Attach
loops of ribbon to the top, so that it may
be hung on the bureau or gas-pipe.
To fill it, take two visiting cards of
the same size, put colored and white
court plaster between them, cut a hole
through them all on one side, and tie
with a narrow piece of ribbon to fasten
them, letting y loop hang out. Slip
this into the case.
Very pretty baskets can be made
from the crowns Of old straw hats.
Bind the edge of the crown with rib
bons of any shade You like, or line the
whole as you would a hat. Work Il
stem on n side of green worstcd, cut,
from.red or green flannel, n number of
leaves, and sew them on the gem,
working a little tendril Of n contrasting
color in the centre of each.
Press the crown together so that a fiat
side will hang against the wall. Put on
loops of worsted or twisted worsted,
and finish off with tassels. Filled with
dried ferns or grasses, this ia a beauti-
full ornament.
Cases for holding shaving-paper can
be cut from cardboard in any shape
stars, hearts, large leaves, or scollops.
The white or colored tissue-papcr must,
of course, be cut of the same shape,
and fastened between with a ribbon.
The case can be ornamented with trans
s~er-pictures, pen-and-ink sketches. a
lOwer-painted in watrr-Colors-or
EpGtter work.
Dolls that little folks thoroughly en-
Joy can be made Of cotton-hatting.-
Have : small roll Of paper for a founda-
ton. Cut a frock from the waddinG,
and sew it on the paper ut the top, or
nen2cnting the edge of the little skirt
with a cEain-stitch Of bright worstcd.
A little shawl and hood, also worked
in chain-stitch. come next. Draw the
hood at the back with u cord of worsted.
Roll up n small piece of wadding for
the body and head; sew on black beads
for the eyes, and work the nose and
mouth in worsted. Attach it to the
foundation. sew on the shawl and hood,
mako Il little worsted bow for the neck,
and the ''sEow dolly is complete.
To make a fancy as well as a peculiar
frame, take the frame of an old slate
ard cover it with beans and rice, well
glued down, in any pattern you choose.
Corn and oats can also be used, if de-
sired.
A great deal of pretty work can also
be done or n very limited amount of
money, if the girls will only make the
necessary effort, and exercise some in
,ranritv