RECREATIONS easels, mirrors, stationery- boxes, blotters, etc., and the usual appointments of the writing-table, moreover, can be decorated in this way, whilst menu-stands and guest-cards for the dinner -table can be made to look most attractive. Plate ^ shows a menu-stand of white" silk, with a spray of shamrock trailing up one side and along the top. The frame is 6 or 7 inches high, and is made of cardboard, covered with silk, and with a rest at the back. The menu-card has to be slipped in. The flowers made and put on the stand should correspond with the natural flowers used in the table decorations. Any of the fol- lowing can be chosen : Iris in any colour, daisies, cornflowers, or 'poppies, with corn, small sunflowers, purple heather. The grape design looks very well on the menu -stands. Of course, the groundwork may be of any colour, so long as it tones with the table flowers. The guest-cards can be made to match the menu -stands. The names of the guests are slipped in. The cards, therefore, can be used permanently when once completed. Plate 4 " illustrates another style of this mosaicon work — a tea-caddy, inlaid, the top of the box being hollowed out. The space between the design is filled with tiny rolls of the paper. the whole representing old inlaid jewel work. Bridge-boxes are most suitable and conVenient for displaying this inlaid work, and form hand- some presents when the design has been treated successfully and artistically. This raised work, again, can be used to great advantage in the decoration of overmantels, especially in the smaller rooms. In addition to the hints given here, anyone of an artistic temperament can think out new designs. Indeed, the work itself constantly suggests new ideas. Designs, moreover, can always be bought, and then traced on to the various foundations. The following hints should prove of practical value, and simplify the difficulties of those who are undertaking this class of work for the first time : 1. When the groundwork employed is in gold, flowers, leaves, and stalks should be made in colours, and vice versa ; when the groundwork is plain, flowers, etc., should be made either in gold or colours. 2. The most useful of all groundings is a figure which in shape resembles the letter " S." To make it, it is necessary to take a strip of paper — black and purple are the most practical colours — about four inches long, to roll one half as though making it into a ball, and then to roll the other half in a similar manner, but in the opposite direction. After this has been done, the two halves are allowed to spring apart , and it will be found that the figure has been formed. Several of these should be made before beginning the work, since they 3. Menu-stand, shamrock design will prove extremely useful in surrounding a design. 3. Another attractive ground- ing can be made in a similar fashion from crimped paper, but in this case, after it has expanded, it is wise to fasten the nd. 4. When making corners or a centre, an attractive effect is always obtained if the papers are rolled tightly. A gold centre surrounded by green, violet, and other colours cannot fail to look pretty. Crimped papers lend themselves admirably to this treatment. 5. The following is the best manner in which to make borders : Take a strip of card between the first finger and thumb of the left hand, and, with a camelhair brush, carefully gum it. Then lay another card on the gummed surface, taking care to see that it lies perfectly evenly on the first card. When this has been done, lay the cards between the leaves of a heavy book and allow them to remain there until the gum has set. If more than two cards are required this process can be continued . When fitting the border into the foundation, cut the
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easily when This is an enlarged section of mosaicon work showing how the paper scrips are rolled 4. An inlaid tea-caddy card to the requisite length with a sharp knife. Then gum the bottom of the border and also the side and bottom of the foundation against which it will rest. Next fit the border into its place and fix it there with pins so that it may not slip while the gum is setting. 6. Icings are best made around the handle of a paint-brush, which is particularly suitable, since it is tapered, and the rings can be slipped off made. Gum one end of each strip and place the gummed end uppermost upon the brush- handle, and hold it firmly in position with the nail of the right thumb until the paper has been wound round once. Then wind the rest of strip round the handle, gum the end, remove the ring from the handle, and, be- tween the finger and the thumb, press the edges of the paper until they are level. Next, after time has been allowed foi the gum to dry, the ring, with the aid of a pair of nippers, can be pressed into a hundred shapes.
