Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-10-20
AUTUMN DECORATIONS.

~ SWtN S6SOf'NttOfsS'
The artistic arrangement OF autumn
leaves and grasses Is kind of art work
which almost any one, Who has any
natural or acquired artistic taste. can
produce. just now IL is very much In
favor, and many original and beautiful
effects can be produced with natures
own material. A very odd receptacle
FOR holding grasses, ferns or berries. Is
made from very large reed followed
out. and collection of grasses and
ferns placed within. The reed may be
gilded and bright bow Of ribbon tied
around near its base for finish. A
fine wire may be used to suspend II from
the ceiling.
A very pretty basket can be made from
reeds by taking fine wire and bending,
crossing once over each reed. This
holds the basket together. IL some
other color than the natural one be pre-
ferred, 1t can be gilded or bronzed.
Over the ends tie bows Of ribbon, which
will hide the wire used In It's coDstruc-
ton. Fill with dried grasses, bright
berries or ferns. The blossom OF the
wild clematis is very beautiful " dried
carefully.
\ large gourd followed out and paint
"a by the skillful hand OF the artist OF
the family adorned the psrlor OF coun-
try house, visited last summer. The
gourd was painted an olive green, with
gold inside. Bunches OF holly leaves
and berries decorated this unique re-
ceptacle for autumn treasures. IL was
filled with thistle aud milkweed pom
pons. An ordinary stone jar OF good
shape may be painted dark red or brown
and decorated with ferns, flowers oil
birds.
Ginger i,rs may be converted into
things of beauty by little taste. a
bunch Of oats or wheat, tied with som'
handsome ribbon is simple aud effective
decoration within the resch Of almos
every one.
Peafowl feathers, tied with ribbon snC
placed on the wall, or in some bar,
corner, are much sought after. Doe
every one know what a pretty thing the
common ivy Is, when it has been touch
cd by Jack Frost's Icy finger and con
verified into reds and yellows: IL Is yer,
effective In decoration and grows sbun
dainty in the woods. Press the leave
between newspapers. II the leaves drol
from the vine little mucilsge vil
fasien them In their places again. Tn
next day take out the leaves and dry tn
papers, and repeAt the process three %
four times until the leaves are perfect,
free from moisture.
This process causes work, but the re-
suit viii be brilliant and will amply r.
pay for time and labor spent. Do no
wax or yarni.h leaves, for IL gives then
unnatural gloss. Maple leaves aud ais
the leaves OF the red sumach are yer,
beautiful when made into garlands o
| sprays. fastened by means of fine wire
twisted slightly about their stems.
Autumn leaves can Ice used viii
splendid effect In the construction o
wrea,hs and crosses. a very preit,
cross can be made of leaves with
mixture Of red berries Of the mountai
ash, or good substitute, the red see
pods of the Wild rose. Cut the desig
from cardboard, cover with paper q
cloth sni finally fasten on leaves, Der
ries or ferns, taking care 10 preserve th
shape OF the original design.
Everlasting flowers, such as Ilclichisir
Rexanthomum and Gomphena are usefu
for filling baskets, and the white flower
are used very often for crosses, ia
foundation cross being covered wit
black velvet or with white velvet whe
used for funerals.
II Is hard 10 find anything more al
tistic than vase or basket filled wit
hleachcd or skcletOnized leaves. Here
An infallible rule IL followed exactly
Place the leaves 10 be- skeletOni1ed In
pail or pan filled with water, and plac
il where il will be exposed To the ho
sun. After four weeks have passed tax
out the leaves and float them In clea
water on board. Remove the skin wit
4 soft toothbrush. The bleaching
liquid Is made by pouring a pint Of boi
ing water on oue-quarter Of pound q
chloride Of lime. Strain and bottle 10
Use. Put one or two tahlespOonfuls Z
a put oi water and pour over the leaves
They will bleach In few hours. Fern
tske much longer time than flower:
when blcschei, spread on a piece o
lndow glass ia the sun TO dry.