Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-12-25

Looking Toward Christmas.
The thought which goes into Christ
mas present wrought by the giver' 8
own hands adds a value 10 the gift
which cannot be reckoned in dollars
and cents. Every one realizes this. It
is not possible to work for people with
cut 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-things which
every woman with the average degree
Of skill can reproduce as souvenirs for
her friends.
IL one of these friends is the mistress
Of q household given to hospitality.
there is nothing which she will appre-
ciate more than q set of ''dinner IA
vonk" 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
Square and round pieces of pasteboard
MI0 Cut lub SiLt Vi cOutr CHdCh0i6 nCn
have on each side thin layer of bat
ting. on which the perfumed powder
is laid The covers are Of pale silk AS
ncariy the shade as can be procured of
tie cracker. These are neatly over
stitched Then, with silk thread. the
same shade as the silk. stitches are
taken through and tightly drawn, simu-
lafing the pricking Of the cracker.
These are not too regularly taken, but
with that appearance Of a careless effort
nt 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
tar color paint, which initiates TO per-
fection-shading of into the tint of the
silk-the inequalities OF the oven which
give here and there deeper tinge to
the baking. A plate full Of these mixed
crackers Is so deceptive that astonish-
ment and surprise will break up the
iciest Formally of dinner party, for
which again your hostess will thank you
over and over.
Painted menu cards have been 50 Oft
en- described that there is but little fur
Their to say than that usually, when am
nteurs undertake anything Of the kind.
they make the mistake OF undertaking
TOO much. The most desirable menu
card does not require to be thing of
beauty, but of mind and humor-esprif.
rs the French say. Whatman's water
color pager with a good grain. cut into
The necessary shape, Is material enough
for beginning. II one can draw OF de-
sign, the deed is three fourths done IL
- H. osxn T. L..
service of your friend. fortunately. in
one way or another the country Is Hood
ed with suitable designs. None are
prcttier than those which are usually
knte Greenawsy figures. but which enl-
brace figures from Patience" as well
as =. Pinasore." and sketches full of hu-
NOR and spirit from q hundred other
services
Let these be neatly transferred to the
cards and colored in delicate fiat tints.
which little practice will teach you to
lzy on smoothly. Then school yourself
m the lettering. for a pungent legend
win help TO pass of your possibly I'M
skillful drawing. At the dinner-table
people are not usually critical. and viii
zcccpt your intention for your perform
xnce- Guests will compare cards. en-
Joy q lucky chance hit, and thus every
thing goes off merrily; your cards be-
como souvenirs of happy evening. and
have not only given pleasure 10 one.
but have put II out. Is IL were. ct com
pound interest.
Nothing finds q place here which is
not at once feasible and inexpensive.
because these Christmas presents are 10
burden no one either in money or labor
Thus, for q young lady's room cabinet
may be made. BY this is TO be under
st0od . hox fastened on 10 n frame
winch. by projecting above and below
with irregu ar ends. becomes orna-
mental. The box may be of any plain
polished wood. A good piece Of We ned
pine serve, as we'll rs q more costly
wood. To this is lifted door which Is
made like a frame to the inner panel
This panel Is covered with straw mat
ting. 81. h as con es On tea-chests. The
matt NJ is either lie in lis natural ST ate.
sr co Q ed with liqu Il gold. The dec
Grafton Is . piece Of broad Painting in
ol some heavy reia ed pink and
er ms0n roses. or your trends favor
lie fower II des red. the mating may
be EN- riidered ns'ead Of painted.
In the same way n most convenient
wall Toekct an be mads. An oblong
alb m Hes the back The material. II Il
be siid enough. Is Of no conse uence.
This $ covered with mat ing and framed.
Tor this ar use ihe groovel ash and
oak m I'd ng Is suitable. A second
shorter p Gee IS 10 AIRED in the sane
Hay. AMI decor ated as has been DO
r bed above Tor the cabi ct Holrs
are borcd in the corners. and the two
are fastened 90. G her nj hung ON the
wall with no more expensive hang ng
than twisted wrapping cord.--M 4.
Eaa0lilaeg.
Eos cheap and good goods so TO the co n
ar of Nam A Somerset streets, instead Of