To remove paraffin from the tops of glasses or jars of preserves, without getting bits of the covering into the contents, is difficult. When pouring the melted paraffin over the top, put a small cork in the center and let the paraffin harden around it, as shown. To remove the covering, dip the top of the glass in hot water. This sealing can be used again by placing it on the top of hot jelly, the paraffin melting and adhering to the glass.—J. E. McCoy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
A Marble-under-Bridge Game of Skill
The object of this game is to pass a marble from one end to the other of the “roadway,” under the “bridges,” and over the “inclines,” without dropping it. A stop must be made at each hole. The device is made as follows: Cut two pieces of wood, ¹⁄₄ by 1³⁄₄ by 12 in., and join them to form a right angle. Cut pieces of cardboard, 4 each, 1³⁄₄ by 2¹⁄₂ in. wide, with a ³⁄₄-in. hole in the center, for inclines B, and 1³⁄₄ by 3 in., for bridges A; also two pieces 1³⁄₄ in. square for stops C. Fasten them with tacks as shown. The marble should be large enough so that it will rest in the holes at B.
Decorative Toys and Boxes
Made at Home
By Bonnie E. Snow
Homemade toys and gifts, as well as the “treasure boxes” in which they are contained, have an added interest both to the one making and the one receiving them. The holiday season makes this work especially attractive, which affords opportunity for individuality in construction and design limited only by the skill of the worker. The decorated toys and the box described in detail in this article are suggestive only, and may be adapted to a large variety of forms and designs. The gorgeously colored [parrot] and the gayly caparisoned [rider and horse] suggest a host of bird and animal forms, those having possibilities for attractive coloring being most desirable. The decorated box shown in [Fig. 7] may be adapted as a gift box, to be used where its decoration may be seen, in the nursery, for example, and may be made in many forms, in fact as various as cardboard boxes are. Plant, animal, or geometrical forms may be used to work out designs, and appropriate color schemes applied to them. A good plan in determining upon a color scheme is to use the colors of the flower or other motif. If the design is not associated with objects having varied colors—a geometrical design, for instance—harmonious colors should be chosen. These may be bright and contrasting, as red and green, violet and orange, or subdued in tone.
FIG. 1 FIG. 2