TIIE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
91 
handle and less liable to get wrinkled or soiled. If the 
oil shows an inclination to spread, a little magnesia 
rubbed on the back of the satin will prevent it, 
though when mixed with gasoline there is little danger 
of this. 
Now for your design. If you are able to draw well, 
you will, of course, copy from Nature, as this is much 
the best way, but, if not, you may copy colored de¬ 
signs of any kind which you may be able to procure— 
lovely ones being found among Christmas cards, floral 
catalogues, and many other places. 
To those who do not draw well, it is suggested that 
you utilize your old crewel embroidery patterns. Ox- 
eye Daisies, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Apple-Blossom, 
Moss-Rose buds, or any flowers with a good deal of 
white and yellow in them always come out well on 
black satin. 
For the leaves, King’s-yellow with Antwerp-blue and 
burnt-sienna will do, with the addition of terre-verte 
sometimes. Stems are generally of Vandyck-brown, 
with white, using sienna in places to show knots in 
the wood. Do not use too much turpentine in soften¬ 
ing the paints, as that will cause them to “ run.” 
For a screen, you might have some such designs as 
the following: A king¬ 
fisher flying over a lake, 
with Water-Lilies grow¬ 
ing on it, and bulrushes 
growing in the back¬ 
ground. Storks by the 
water, large yellow 
Flags growing near, or 
the beautiful golden 
oriole flying upward to 
a bough of light-purple 
Wistaria. 
I have i n mind a 
number of articles, some 
belonging to the toilet, 
and some in the depart¬ 
ment of home decora¬ 
tive work, of which I 
will make brief mention. 
First, I notice that not 
only do American belles 
covet painted dresses, 
but we read of royal 
beauties having in pre¬ 
paration elaborate court 
costumes, in which the 
front breadths or panels are hand-painted. An eminent 
art authority says the flowers should be heavily grouped 
in the fronts, trailing upward and backward, though 
we see dresses where sprays of buds and flowers are 
thrown on in an artistically careless manner, and 
where birds on twigs, butterflies, etc., are placed at 
random' seemingly. If one did not choose to adorn a 
whole costume, it would, perhaps, suit best to decorate 
collars, cuffs, etc. 
Fans are painted from the five-cent Japanese work of 
art, covered with satin, lace and ribbon, to the elegant 
ebony, ivory and sandal-wood creations of unlimitable 
expense. Tiffany charges from three to six dollars for 
mounting fans for ladies who do their own painting, 
but they can be painted after mounting, if care is taken 
in fastening them so they will remain open until the 
paint has entirely dried. This is best done by securely 
basting them to a piece of pasteboard before beginning 
to decorate. 
Fancy satin aprons and caps for wearing at fairs or 
bazaars, are described as beautifully-painted and very 
unique. Japanese art in this connection is curious and 
instructive rather than attractive. 
A large consignment of Japanese painting on silk has 
attracted a great deal of attention—one series repre¬ 
senting various arts and industries of that country, 
such as umbrella-making, porcelain-painting, fan-mak¬ 
ing, etc. A second series gives the tea industry of 
Japan, picking, sorting, drying, packing, etc. Pictures 
representing the pastimes of the best Japanese society 
are very true to life; but the most remarkable series of 
pictures are those representing actions of human beings 
executed by animals, as were carried on by frogs, 
grasshoppers, etc- 
The hall and staircase-walls of a most elegant and 
artistic house were lately fitted with painted Japanese 
silk designs in panels, the effect being exceedingly rich. 
As my paper lengthens, I will mention only a few more 
silk or satin articles, which may be beautified by hand¬ 
painting toilet-bottles, cushion-covers, tidies, lamp¬ 
shades, bracket-lambre¬ 
quins, perfume-sachets, 
screens, mouchoir-cases, 
book-covers, d ’ o y 1 e s, 
menu-cards, etc. A 
quick, artistic eye for 
the beautiful, with neat¬ 
ness, is all that is re- 
quiredto carry this useful 
art to perfection. A love 
of the beautiful is a refin¬ 
ing influence, one that 
raises the mind to a higher 
level, and opens out to it 
an ever-widening field of 
intellectual enjoyment. 
Lyde Lynton. 
A Plush-Covered 
Chair. 
A pretty manner of 
upholstering a Shaker or 
bent-wood chair, is to 
cover them with plush 
or cloth. 
Work-bag Open. 
