The hearthstone; or, Life at home

To explain this preference is not within the scope of this chapter ; but it is worth while for all persons interested in decorative work to give some attention to modern color schemes as against those which formerly prevailed. Painted screens are equally desirable. It is not necessary to refer to materials in regard to these, further than to mention that such grass matting as comes about tea chests, and ordinary coarse burlap, stretched and gilded, is an excellent ground to receive bold decoration in oils or water colors. Suitable grounds for such designs are cacti and flowers — sunflowers, hollyhocks and other large-petaled plants and foliage with brilliant coloring. The banneret adapts itself nicely to the use of the fireboard, and has the advantage of serving as a screen in winter. The standard can be purchased of gilded bronze, in itself very attractive, or can be made out of wood by any carpenter who has a lathe. This consists of an upright on legs or with a solid base, and a cross-bar nicely finished at the ends. This is the foundation for whatever the skill of the individual can produce. Still another purpose to which the ubiquitous Japanese fan is applied is that of serving as a foundation for a wall-pocket. Cover one side with silk or satin, and above this sew a full, flat pocket, concealing the stitches along the edge under a ruche of satin ribbon or pinked silk. Fasten a bow of ribbon or a cluster of flowers in the centre of the pocket, and bore a hole in the handle, through which pass a string to form a loop by which to hang the pocket. Finish by adding a knot of ribbon tied around the handle, to hide the loop. Sachets for bureau drawers and boxes can be made of pieces of silk merino or muslin. Take a piece of silk eight inches long and two and one-half inches wide. Double and sew sides together; fill with aromatic herbs, if you have any ; if not, your druggist will fill for a trifle. Fill to within an inch and one-half of the top ; then sew across, draw up and fasten. Tie a ribbon around with bow. Sew lace or fringe all around sachet. Economical mats, for use in front-doors, fireplaces, bureaus, stands, etc., may be made of coffee-sacking, cut to any desirable size, and worked in bright worsted or Germantown wool. Any simple pattern may be used, or it may be entirely filled in with a plain green. The edges of the sacking may be fringed by ravelling. To give it weight, line with an old piece of carpet or heavy cloth. To paint on velvet, use any of the ordinary non-corrosive pigments or liquid colors thickened with a little gum. Preference should be given to those that possess the greatest brilliancy and which dry without spreading. Stretch your silk as you would for water-color drawing. Take your water-color and mix with thin solution of gum-arabic to prevent from rubbing off To paint on silk with oil-color, a sizing is necessary to prevent the oil from .spreading. Take the white of an egg and whisk. Soak the silk thoroughly with the egg, then wipe dry with a piece of white silk, stretch tightly on frame, and when dry paint as in water-color. Pretty stand covers can be made of brown Turkish towelling and 240 . THE hearthstone; or, life at home.