Archive for February, 2012

~Change the Seasons with Artist Dianna Swartz

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Here at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we have many talented artists that we enjoy working with. Their art is featured within the categories of our framed prints, decorative pillows and much much more. Today, let’s meet an artist perhaps you are familiar with: Dianna Swartz.


A favored artist by many of our customers is none other than, Dianna Swartz. Folk artist Dianna Swartz was born and raised near the hills of Southern Ohio. She was drawing and painting they say, before she could walk or talk. Today, Dianna lives a bit more north in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. For the most part, she is a self-taught artist, crediting her inspiration to God. Her artwork has been featured at the American Folk Art Museum in New York and has also been transferred to many household decor items such as: pillows, throws, woven tapestries, furniture boxes and even wall paper! Dianna even had the honor of designing ornaments for the White House Christmas tree, as well as for the Governor’s residence in Ohio. She is nationally recognized for her “Folkheart By Dianna” collection of prints, being produced onto framed art and furniture.

The Four Seasons

A collection of prints that has proven very popular with Sturbridge Yankee Workshop customers, is our Seasons Prints. These charming country style prints can be displayed individually or collect all four for an inspiring way to pass the year. Each one offers a simple and quaint theme that represents the season well; creating a perfect old-time look for your home. Shown above is the Spring Season Print, featuring a leaping hare across a spring meadow, between two tall trees. The whimsical folk art appeal is achieved through the large size of this friendly white animal. The success of her prints has lead to the existence of our Seasons Needlepoint Pillow. Switch up your decor each season with ease by simply changing your Seasons Print wall decor or replacing your Seasons Needlepoint Pillow with the appropriate season. Make a statement with these beautiful, seasonal images and you and your guests will always know what time of year it is. :)

~Thanks Dianna Swartz for sharing your detailed and striking artwork with all of us at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop.


~Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

As we wind down the last week of National Sweet Potato Month, here is a hearty recipe that highlights this delicious vegetable and will be perfect for dinner tonight.


  • 6 Bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed, trimmed of fat.
  • 1 Cup dry white wine
  • 2 lbs. of Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into spears.
  • 2 Teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1/2 lb. White button mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 6 large shallots, peeled and halved
  • 1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

Directions: Place chicken, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, wine, rosemary, salt and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker; stir to combine. Put the lid on and cook on low until the potatoes are tender, about 5 hours. Before serving, remove bones from the chicken, if desired, and stir in vinegar. Enjoy!

<– Check out more delicious meals to make in your slow cooker with our very useful Super Fast Slow Cooker Recipes cookbook.


New Sheers & Lace at SYW

Monday, February 27th, 2012

At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we are pleased to offer FREE SHIPPING on all curtain collections in both our New Spring 2012 Catalog and on our website. For Spring, many new curtain collections featuring sheers and lace are available.


Spring is the perfect time to consider updating the look of your windows. Remove the feeling of heavy, weighted and dark curtains for lighter weight and sheer materials. At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we are proud to offer such a large curtain selection that can suit individual tastes, as well as varying decor styles. For the spring season, we have incorporated many new sheer and lace options for customers to choose from. Pictured here to the left is our unique Lace Balloon Shade.

A distinctive balloon style shade boasts an intricate soft, old world jacquard lace with a scalloped edge. Displaying delicate penny flower, circular designs and clip rings that allow for an adjustable height; customers will love the look of a shade like this on their window. Sturbridge Yankee Workshop’s Lace Balloon Shade is the perfect accent for a singular window at the top of a staircase or perhaps for a vintage inspired bathroom. Crafted of 100% polyester, with a cotton like feel, customers can choose from a pretty cream or a crisp white.


Another new curtain collection at SYW, includes our Dogwood Lace Curtain Collection, seen here to the left. The entire collection is crafted of a poly-cotton blend, (a lighter weight but quality cotton) here in the USA. We find a scene filled with dogwood flowers just in time for spring. Our Dogwood Lace Curtains have a unique staggered and slightly scalloped bottom which gives this curtain collection a fresh look. A valance, swag, tiers and panels are available in the collection in a choice of ecru or white. Create a light and airy window treatment to soften the mood in your home, with these pretty floral curtains.

Dogwood flowers, like the ones seen woven into the fabric on the left, are truly symbolic of springtime. Did you know that the buds of the dogwood blossom are actually hidden from the previous summer and stay nestled in the bracts (petals) until spring? This allows the dogwood flower to be one of the first spring flowers to “pop out” between early March through June. Spring marks the official reproductive cycle of the Dogwood Tree. The beautiful dogwood flowers can range in color from a creamy white to a pink, and are even seen in shades of red.

~We hope you enjoy dressing up your windows for spring and remember FREE SHIPPING on all curtains during our Annual Spring Sale!