Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
HOMES.
The Pressureo Of Anxiety About Christ
mas Gifts Now Removed.
SOME BEAUTIFUL ARTICLES
Designed by Feminine Taste and Fashioned
by Feminine Fingers for Holiday Presents
for Friends Described-The Craze for China
Decorative Painting in This City.

for Friends Described-The Craze for China
| Decorative Painting in This City.
| Written for The Evening Star.
The sudden pressure that is taken of ones
mind when Christmas is past is almost bewil-
dering. For weeks one may have been the de-
posltory OF many secrets, and the fear of be-
| traying what has been confded, as well as all
| the personal responsibility on ones own &C
count, makes life burden at times. Now con-
yersation can be INDUCED in freely without a
constant overhanging apprehension of saying
the wrong thing to the right person. No more
rear OF producing CONSERVATION by innocently
but Unexpectedly entering room where sud-
oen idleness seems to prevail, though every i'm
PIGMENT OF industry is scattered about. l thus
Paraiyzed fireside group the other day-be-
fore OF 1t all is revealed. All over the land ere
no" tne monday rejoicing is going on, whether
the worldly gear" be much or little. Those
VINO can still enjoy simple pleasures get the
most out OF Christmas as well as out of life in
general. and the interchange of small gifts
real tokens OF love and friendship contributes
TO such enjoyment. Many pretty presents
which have seen this year have been home
MADE, ana description of some may be peril
nent to the season.
ihE aAoE fOh CHINA PAINTING.
China painting has never in Washington
ragged SO violently among the amateurs as this
year. Every day the studios Of the teachers
have been crowded with busy pupils, while
| every night the kilns have been stocked full of
every imaginable size and shape to be pro-
cured in porcelain, which has all been deco
| rated by pupils or outsiders, very few of the
emma painters here firing their own work.
From the largest OF vases and punch bowls
for orl ton
everything has been attempted, and / have
mad good opportunity for Judging l can
truly say, with Il large degree Of success. The
nonors are about equally divided between Royal
seeded all other styles Of decorationNhere at
least. Many charming little boxes and trays
have been in Royal Worcester as well as the
larger pieces usually painted in that way. For
get-me- nots seem to be rather the favorite flower
TOR small pieces and it is very pretty on the
| cream ground.
| PRETTY DESIGNS IN DRESDEN
In the Dresden designs are pretty little things
galore. tiny desk candlesticks being form
much affected. These are convenient and spe-
cially pretty for the little flowers and fine gold
work OF this kind of painting. Candles which
| come for Christmas trees are Just right for
| these little candlesticks and the tinted white
ones look well In this size the colored ones
are not pretty, though in a size larger they are
| very delicate and attractive in coloring.
/ Other small articles are little mustard cups set
! In saucers and with covers; also to go with
them the dainty little spoons, and all be-
| sprigged and gilded they are very inviting
One painter adds the monogram of the one for
| whom the gift is intended which is pretty in
dlvidual idea. while another puts on the bottom
of the pieces of china the date of the gift and
the initials of the one for whom she has painted
1t. Having this inscription burned in seems to
make the china more personal belonging and
! rs long as il lasts the writing will.
! Brush and comb trays have been also painted
in Dresden, charming one 1 saw having
several bouquets with the single flowers pro-
duced between.
| DAINTILY DECORATED TEAPOT.
| One small teapot for afternoon tea, and of
very pretty shape, was also in Dresden. with
both large and small flowers mingled and
with gold in tilagree patterns. A little silver
! basket. tea strainer and tea cloth embroidered
In large pink flowers were added to this before
presentation to complete the gift.
| Two smoking sets were different in shape
| though similar in decoration, and the style
| was simple but SNOWY, flowers of orange red
being grouped irregularly and without leaves.
but connected by many lines and curves of
| gold. while all the borders were Of the GOLD in
broad, stippled effect. The set consisted of
tobacco jar with cover and plate or tray to
stand upon also small tray for ashes and lit
| tie open match holder.
Some novelties were little trays with silver
| instead OF gold for the borders. This was put
on very wide and then stippled, SO it made a
broad irregular band, with pink flowers in the
center, and was quite pretty well as some
thing new.
HANDSOMELY FITTED Up WORK BASKETS.
Some work baskets of such pretty shades as
light blue, yellow and pink were discovered
one day in a shop by young woman, who took
all the stock. for while the coloring was what
could not always be found they were unusually
! good IN shape. being round and with three
little wicker knobs to stand on. something she
had never seen and liked at once. OF course
! they were intended for Christmas gifts like all
other purchases made at that season. and she
! fitted them up quite completely. Each
! lined with its corresponding color of India
| silk, n smoOth-padded circle i'll the bottom ard
the sides shirred very full. with double rufie
standing up a little way above the sweet grass
edge of the basket. Two-inch ribbon with satin
edge cut into suitable lengths and fringed
| at the ends and then made into needle books,
with feather-stitched leaves between. and a
little pin cushion in sachet form, all tied with
narrow baby ribbon wherever possible. A
little emery was tied on with it and also
fancy form Of wax. while pair of old-handled
scissors completed the furnishings. They
looked quite dainty collection when four
stood in row all fresh and gay.
A pretty sachet for bureau or chiffonier was
of white china silk tied with little yellow bows
and edged with lace.
FIREPLACE CURTAIN.
A pretty fireplace curtain was Of "cloth of
gold or tapestry of name which have for
gotten. There is no embroidery, but a fringe
Of brownish yellow and white, with deep Melted
heading, is across the bottom, with a narrow
band Of golden brown plush to head it, a SINH
lar plush band being the finish at the top.
Small brass rings attach it to the brass rod run
into the fireplace opening. 1t is not elaborate,
but the softly brilliant ground and harmonizing
trimming make it well suited to the handsome
brown bed room for which it is intended. One
of the greatest pleasures connected with the
receiving of Christmas gifts is the arranging of
ably take some time with people fortunately or
deservedly popular.
Nothing Like It.
From Judge.
81