1928-12-15 — Page 25

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CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, 1928.

you remember, this was the question

I'Elian asked the widow. She replied that

her food supplies were limited to a small amount of oil and meal. Elijah found this Buffielent, as you remember, to take them all past the threatening famine.

Gifts to make for Christmas start best with materials at hand.. One homely friend, a pot of glue, can start a number of gifts. If you think over the empty boxes there are, and the rolls of material you have laid away, several combinations will suggest themselves."

What Hast Thou

in the House?

by

Marjorie Howe Dixon.

of these in oil paint on natural coloured pongee is recommended. Bags, table runners for library tables, portfolio covers, cushion tops suggest themselves.

Such a lovely garden would afford end-

Here Are the Directions less pleasure to a shut-in. It could be ar-

Suppose you decide to print a dragon.

Cut your ranged and re-arranged. Tiny bridges and stepping stones could be added. Birds and fly across a bag. in two rows.

size you want, allowing for seams and a animals of pottery, small size, could be add-ponges carefully by drawing threads, to the wide hem, part of which is to hold the draw- ed from time to time.

cords. Pin the pongee on a padded board, (Cover a board with a smooth thick material.). To print neatly stretch a dark thread across Mix enough paint to finish printing. the material and anchor it with tacks. Browns and purples are suggested for pongee. be good. Brush Burnt orange would the paint evenly over the block and try ít on an extra piece of cloth. Lay it flat, face down and hit it a single blow with a hammer. This trial print will show you whether or not it has been cleanly cut, and also will show you places that catch the

want them. paint and will make daubs where you do not

Gifts in Needlework Needle workers have ever at their finger tips, beautiful gift possibilities. A A pretty gift for girl's room is a bright suggestion for them is, the use of bright hat-box-an empty card board box covered wools, on organdie. Gay dashes of colour on with cretonne, with a black bow on top. A an apron, a little lace and there you have a desk set in cretonne for, her room can be pretty gift for any feminine friend. constructed of card-board, glue, time, pa- tience and an ink well.

Gifts of Portfolio

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A set of pieces for a bed room might consist of a band of embroidery for a valance and a pair of bright bands for cur- tain tie-backs. A lamp shade to match Portfolios are lovely and useful gifts. these in pastel tints with ovals of embroid Two heavy card board covers with a cloth ery would complete an unusually lovely gift. If a person is clever at cutting linoleum back make the basis. If you have a small- patterned or plain fabric, a pretty picture blocks in simple or fanciful design, printing will improve the cover. If the pattern is large, omit the print. Line the inside with

a thinner material and tie a folded blotter

into the centre with a silk cord.

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Such a portfolio can be given to a ̈man

if made with a plain cover, or to a woman

CHRISTMAS, PRESENTS

Ideas in Unpainted Furniture Unpainted furniture offers almost un- limited possibilities for gifts. The smaller. pieces, magazine racks, sewing tables, clothes hampers, small sets of shelves are always suitable gifts. Directions for using:

Without actually laying the block on see how the pongee measure roughly to many times you will be able to print it. Then work from the centre out, painting the block Those who want to buy Christmas pre- after cach impression. Results from this if designed in cretonne. Pebbled oil cloth sents for women smokers should find their are quite fascinating. Children with a little Half the shops in supervision can handle this quite success- may be used for this purpose very nicely task a very easy one. and can be decorated with a painted design. Hong Kong seem to have their windows filled fully. Children love to help make Christmas with smoking trifles. The most interesting gifts. On winter days they can be busy and novelties are perhaps the sets of ash trays in happy with the joy of constructing gifts. A a small container with a handle to it.

There is a new smoker's companion for little girl will enjoy making a squirrel dress for a gift. A design for a squirrel about the boudoir, which is rather like an inkstand four inches high can be traced from a maga in shape, but the bottles are replaced by re- zine picture and with a sheet of carbon ceptacles which hold cigarettes, à container enamel may be had at any paint store these Afor matches is fixed in the centre, and at days. To add a final touch there are stencila. paper can be transferred to the material: grey squirrel on a lavender dress, or a brown each side of it there are hollows which do all cut and ready for use. Or you may choose squirrel on a tan dress would be, a good duty as ash trays. Made in coloured glass from a most interesting catalogue à pretty or pretty china, these are very attractive. decalcomania that will be the very thing. arrangement.

Button hole stitch would do to applique For men there is a practical present in the for your purpose. Directions for using these the design on the dress. A leaf with an shape of a new pipe-cicaner. It screws on to come with them. Fruit, flowers, figures in Among other gift suggestions for your acorn could finish the shoulder. She could the edge of, the table, and the pipe is fixed silhouette are offered you. finish the dress if it were kept simple, on bowl downwards.

The newest travelling clock is a small garden enthusiast is one that would have to with riek rack. braid for binding. If this is too much for her small fingers, perhaps silver affair about two inches square, and be started early. If you collect seeds from Auntie or grandma could finish the seams a quarter of an inch or so thick. A spring your own garden throughout the summer, releases the lid, and the clock itself can be you can make up gift packets from these. and binding on the sewing machine.

made to rest against that, while the other You will probably send your friend fresh seed that he may not be able to obtain from side acts as a base.-

Boudoir cushions are fluffy things of the green houses.

One was shown recently in marabout. orange and another in blue which are delightfully soft and light.

Let Children Assist Children would enjoy assisting in mak- ing a gift to, some one dear, of a miniature garden. A large deep pic tin is used, or a special tray is made. Rocks and moss are arranged to hold dirt in interesting forms. A small pen can be inserted for a pool. Its edges can be. cleverly hidden with pebbles and plants.

Some of the plants suggested are these, Kenilworth ivy with its little orchid- coloured blossom, Chinese primroses,--blue and pink forget-me-not, tiny ferns, violets, tiny cedars and a dwarf maple or two Lycopodium, a moss of delicate fern-like quality, is excellent for its habit of climbing down, around, and over.

Use of Coloured Envelopes Bright coloured envelopes will help the appearance of this kind of gift. These can Everything is colourful this Christmas be tied together with a pretty ribbon or Bright enamels, jade and rose and blue semi-arranged in a box. Flower suggestions will precious jewellery, books with bright red come to you to use. Coloured illustrations covers, and brilliant scarves all strike a from your catalogues may be used to decor.

ate the individual envelope or the box. cheery note in one shop or the other.

Whatever you decide to make to paint, Mr. Tomkins (to his wife, leaving home to embroider or to print do not neglect its for Christmas): "I will join you in a few final appearance the package in which it is days. Had you not better take some fiction sent. Any gift is valued chiefly for the kindly and loving thought it represents, and to read till arrive?”

this must be displayed in the wrapping of it as well.

Mrs, Tomkins: "I don't think so. You will be writing me day by day, won't you?"