Part 19 (2/2)

Beginning at the point of the folded paper, make a tiny cut from one edge _towards_ the other, but do not cut the point entirely off. Turn the paper and make a second cut parallel to the first about 1/8 inch away, the cut being from the other edge of the paper. Turn again and make a third cut. Each time the cuts grow in length owing to the increasing width of the triangle or quarter-circle. Continue thus until the circ.u.mference of the folded circle is reached. Then open out and you have a silver spider-web effect. Take a square or circle somewhat larger than the web, and in its centre paste a pretty bird, flower, or maiden.

Then paste the web upon this background, putting the paste along the edges of the web, but leaving the centre free, so that the child can raise it and peer through the slits at the picture beneath.

Let city children send to country cousins sc.r.a.p pictures, colored papers, etc., and sample Valentines, so that their friends may have the pleasure of making and giving.

Valentine Dinner

SOUP: Put into the clear soup the noodle hearts, which may be purchased at a grocery store, or have a vegetable soup, slicing the vegetables and cutting them into little hearts with a knife.

MEAT: Make chicken or beef croquettes, molding them like hearts.

VEGETABLES: Slice the boiled carrots and potatoes and cut into heart shapes.

BREAD: Cut into hearts.

SALAD: Upon green lettuce leaves place hearts cut from beets.

DESSERT: Ice cream may be obtained in the form of a Cupid or something similar, and cake may be decorated with white icing having pink hearts outlined upon it. The peppermint candies in the shape of hearts, which have sentiments printed upon them, may be pa.s.sed either at the beginning or the end of the meal. Cut in half, placing the halves in separate dishes; then pa.s.s one dish to the girls and the other to the boys, and by matching halves partners may be found. Let the children, however, remain unconscious of the distinction of s.e.x as many years as possible.

In making preparations for the dinner let the children help.

=Place Cards for Dinner= (_Red paper_, _white cardboard_, _scissors_, _pencil_)

Cut a heart from the _red_ paper. From the _white_, cut an arrow, drawing it after a pattern found in some book. Making two slits in the heart, run the arrow through it. On the reverse side of the heart write the name of the guest.

=Decorations for Valentine Dinner= (_Red cardboard_, _red ribbon_)

Cut about two dozen hearts all of same size, or graduated in size.

String these upon the red ribbon and suspend over the table.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON'S BIRTHDAY

=Luncheon Card= (_1._ _Picture hatchet_, _cardboard_, _scissors_, _paints_; _2._ _Same_--_also white or reddish brown paper_)

1. Find a picture of a hatchet and use it as a model from which to cut one about two inches long. Paint this in colors resembling the real hatchet, and upon the reverse side write the name of the guest.

2. From a piece of white or reddish-brown paper cut a one-inch square.

Paint so as to resemble cherry wood. Roll so that one edge overlaps the other a trifle, simulating the trunk of a tree. As they overlap cut a tiny slit through the two. Cut out a tiny cardboard hatchet, paint as above, and insert in this slit so that it holds the two edges together.

Before fastening in this way, an appropriate quotation may be written inside, and the name of the guest on the outside. It should stand up if rightly made.

=Decorative Cherries= (_Paraffine_, _spool of wire, not too fine_, _green cloth or paper_, _carmine oil paint_, _brush_, _paste_)

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