FLORAL DECORATIONS. 



There are times in all our lives when the heart is joyous, and its rapturous throbs make the 

 eyes sparkle with delight, and wreath the face with smiles. We delight to give expression to 

 this joy in kind acts and pleasant words, in adorning our homes with garlands and flowers, in 

 presenting our loved ones with bouquets and other marks of regard. The " Merry Christmas " 

 and the " Happy New Year," CHARLEY'S return from school, the baby's birthday, and sister's 

 wedding, must all be honored, and how so innocently, so tastefully, so sweetly as with garlands 

 of flowers ? Then the church and school room must be trimmed, and mottoes be made, by 

 fingers which know nothing of the painter's art, and that have not fashioned a Roman capital 

 since they printed letters to little friends, long, long ago. We will endeavor to show how it is 

 done, with the aid of a few illustrations, and hope to make the subject so plain that all may 

 understand, and with a little practice become expert in the art of Floral Decoration. 



FORMING LETTERS. 



The forming of letters neatly and rapidly is no mean accomplishment, and those who possess 

 this art are almost invaluable at all festive gatherings. How beautiful the word " WELCOME," on 

 some occasions; and " PEACE ON EARTH," will be new and glorious every Christmas. These 

 letters are usually made of dry or Everlasting Flowers and dry moss, cedar or other evergreens. 



Obtain heavy straw board at the book or paper stores, as 

 shown in Figure 1, and mark out the letters with a pencil, 

 Determine the height you wish the letters, and divide that 

 into six equal parts by drawing lines entirely across the 



xj y<i $%, j *.!?.. i board, as shown in Figure 2. Four of these divisions will 



I k i Z3B A W < be a good proportion for the width ; 

 1 m \ W 1 A I of most letters, as seen by the 



same figure. The few letters that 

 vary from this can be correctly 

 made by the following arrange- 

 ment. Suppose the letters are 



six inches high, then four inches would be the proper width for B, C, 

 D, H, N, O, P, Q, R, S, U, Z; four and a half inches wide for A, G, K, T, V, X, Y, &; the 

 letter M should be five inches, W six inches, E, F, L three and a half inches, J three inches, and 

 I one inch wide. By this arrangement letters of any size can be made by simply dividing the 

 height into six sections, and using four such sections for the ordinary width of the letters, varying 

 the width to suit the other letters, as already shown, and always making the letters one section in 

 thickness. (See engraving, No. 2.) Letters made by this rule look rather thin, but when covered . 

 with flowers or evergreens they are just what is wanted. The letters being cut from the straw- 

 board with a sharp knife or strong shears, are 

 ready to be covered. This can be done by tying 

 with dark thread, small branches of evergreens 

 over the face of the board, with a few Everlasting 

 Flowers or bright berries to relieve the sombre 

 color. Better letters, however, can be made with 

 ; dry moss and Everlasting Flowers, as shown in 

 figure 3. Tie the moss over the face of the letter 

 as evenly as possible, then cut the stems of the 

 flowers short, leaving only about half an inch. Dip the stem in a little paste, and insert it in the 

 moss, and when dry it will remain secure. We have made very pretty letters by covering the 

 board with Gomphrenas, or Immortelles, fastened to it with thick paste. Crosses, or any desired 

 form, can be made in the same way as letters. 



MAKING FLORAL DESIGNS. 



Flowers are arranged in many beautiful forms, suitable to almost eveiy occasion. In the 

 hands of the skillful florist they are made to speak words of hope to sorrowing hearts, and sin 

 songs of joy in the hour of gladness. These Floral designs can be ordered of any professional 



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