Skeleton leaves may be made by steeping leaves in rain-water in an open vessel, exposed to the sun and air. Water must occasionally be added to compensate loss by evaporation. The leaves will pu- trefy, and then their membrane will begin to open ; then lay them on a clean white plate, filled with water, and gently take off the mem- branes; separate them cautiously near the middle rib. This process requires patience, as some require some time to decay. Purchase a frame with a box six inches deep and fourteen by sixteen✪ Skeleton Leaves (width 250 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. and length) ; line with black velvet. Make a wreath for the back, starting either side at the bottom of the box, and let them taper toward the top ; make this of the largest leaves. Set a small statue or picture in front of this wreath ; put an upright post on either side of this picture a little shorter than the wreath ; and towards the front two other smaller standards. Run white thread from back to front, on which glue the small leaves, and fix in any fantastical way you choose. The method of executing the fashionable and pretty tapestry- work is one that can be learned without any difficulty, and it will be found very useful for very many purposes. The embroidery is worked in Gobelin-stitch over silver or gold braid, which closely covers the canvas. Each row covers two threads, and is fast- ened to the canvas by a few stitches at each end. The embroid- ery is then worked with zephyr wool in two shades of red in Gobelin-stitch. To do the work neatly, and avoid " puckering," which would otherwise follow, the canvas should be placed in a frame. » Cases for brushes, combs and sponges are not hard to make, and useful in protecting them from dust. Brush broom cases ornamented with applique work, or with a monogram worked in silk, or with a bunch of flowers, are very pretty. An excellent imitation of carving, suitable for frames, boxes, etc., may be made of a description of leather called basil. The art con- sists in cutting out this material in imitation of natural objects, and in impressing upon it by simple tools, the same as in wax flowers. Begin with a simple object — an ivy-leaf, for instance. Cut the proper shape, and impress the veins upon it ; then arrange them in groups, when you have sufficient, on the frame. The tools required are ivory or steel points of various sizes, punches and tin-shapes. Before cutting out the leaves, the leather should be well soaked in water until it is quite pliable. When dry the leaves will retain their artistic shape. Leaves and stems are fastened together with glue, and varnished when dry, or you may varnish with sealing-wax HOUSEHOLD ORNAMENTATION. 251 dissolved in spirits of wine. Wire, cork, gutta-percha, bits of stems, etc., may severally be used to aid in the formation of groups of buds and seed-vessels, etc.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Skeleton leaves may be made by steeping leaves in rain-water in an open vessel, exposed to the sun and air. Water must occasionally be added to compensate loss by evaporation. The leaves will putrefy, and then their membrane will begin to open ; then lay them on a clean white plate, filled with water, and gently take off the membranes; separate them cautiously near the middle rib. This process requires patience, as some require some time to decay. Purchase a frame with a box six inches deep and fourteen by sixteen (width 250 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. and length) ; line with black velvet. Make a wreath for the back, starting either side at the bottom of the box, and let them taper toward the top ; make this of the largest leaves. Set a small statue or picture in front of this wreath ; put an upright post on either side of this picture a little shorter than the wreath ; and towards the front two other smaller standards. Run white thread from back to front, on which glue the small leaves, and fix in any fantastical way you choose. The method of executing the fashionable and pretty tapestrywork is one that can be learned without any difficulty, and it will be found very useful for very many purposes. The embroidery is worked in Gobelin-stitch over silver or gold braid, which closely covers the canvas. Each row covers two threads, and is fastened to the canvas by a few stitches at each end. The embroidery is then worked with zephyr wool in two shades of red in Gobelin-stitch. To do the work neatly, and avoid " puckering," which would otherwise follow, the canvas should be placed in a frame. Cases for brushes, combs and sponges are not hard to make, and useful in protecting them from dust. Brush broom cases ornamented with applique work, or with a monogram worked in silk, or with a bunch of flowers, are very pretty. An excellent imitation of carving, suitable for frames, boxes, etc., may be made of a description of leather called basil. The art consists in cutting out this material in imitation of natural objects, and in impressing upon it by simple tools, the same as in wax flowers. Begin with a simple object — an ivy-leaf, for instance. Cut the proper shape, and impress the veins upon it ; then arrange them in groups, when you have sufficient, on the frame. The tools required are ivory or steel points of various sizes, punches and tin-shapes. Before cutting out the leaves, the leather should be well soaked in water until it is quite pliable. When dry the leaves will retain their artistic shape. Leaves and stems are fastened together with glue, and varnished when dry, or you may varnish with sealing-wax dissolved in spirits of wine. Wire, cork, gutta-percha, bits of stems, etc., may severally be used to aid in the formation of groups of buds and seed-vessels, etc.

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Skeleton Leaves

The hearthstone; or, Life at home