Workshop Words

Here a Braid, There a Braid

Welcome to the Sturbridge Yankee Workshop Annual Spring Sale! Every item in our 64 page catalog has been sliced to bring extra savings to you! Spring seems many frozen weeks away, but I already see Easter offerings brightening the pages of our newest catalog. The weather this time of year is a constant topic of choice, especially lately. The amount of snow we have received since the season’s beginning is mind-boggling – we’ve had our driveway shoveled thirty-two times this winter!

Of course, inside is a different story. No matter what the weather, cabin fever runs rampant and I’m eager to get some pretty projects going! Beautify your home with our furniture, lamps, pillows, curtains, and – yes – our always in style braided rugs. I love the fun spring colors of the Bold Braid Rug. The Daffodil and the Hydrangea really pop right off the page. Not only that, but we offer free swatches. Call or e-mail for further details.

Rugs are like visual ‘glue’ – they pull all the design elements of a room together. They can also section rooms, creating cozy nooks. Try a 4’x6’ or a 5’x8’ size and group chairs and a table around it. Try tossing one or two smaller sized rugs around the kitchen, foyer, or a large master bathroom. The bright accent colors of the Bold Braid Rug or the mellow earth tones of the Heritage Braid Rug are both extremely versatile with mixing and matching for your décor. Also, take a look at all the sizes we offer! You can even match your chairpads and stairtreads. Contact us with any questions, or click here for some quick advice on choosing the right rug for you.

Uncertain about a dining area rug? Here is an easy way to measure – get out your tape measure and find the length and width of your dining table. Add four feet to the width and length to find the minimum size of your dining room rug. This extra material will definitely come in handy with pulling out and pushing in your dining room chairs! We always had an round antique oak table when I was growing up with a lovely circular rug underneath. It was a pretty country Victorian look.

And what about rug pads and liners? We offer six sizes to fit any rug. Rug liner too big? Ours are very handy and trim with scissors. We even have a stairtread liner roll that can accommodate up to 13 standard-size stairtreads. Rug liners prevent your rug from wearing out faster and keep them firmly in place, a necessary feature for hardwood floors. Keep everybody in the house safe by making sure rug corners do not extend into high traffic areas. Easier said than done sometimes!

So, when planning out either a room for an 8’ x 10’ rug or a single 2’ x 3’ rug for a doorway, take a look at the Heritage, Bold Braid, and Sturbridge rugs. We offer free swatches on all three to match your home perfectly!

                     

The Legacy of Lincoln

Five days from today is a small mid-winter holiday that celebrates the birth of one of my favorite historical leaders – Abraham Lincoln. It is difficult to even talk about him in modern times because the folktales, legends, stories, accounts, and opinions surrounding his life are completely iconic. I carry his face around on five-dollar bills, but it seems fitting that he also represents the penny – the humblest of coins. And, indeed, Lincoln’s story represents the humblest of beginnings and the greatest of tragedies. Even now, it’s hard for me to write about him while still reminding my dear readers he was a real human being with real qualities!

Although his campaign nickname was "The Rail-splitter" and he was born in a one-room log cabin, Lincoln was not an advocate for the simple country life. He was a very progressive individual, and at no time does this demonstrate his personality more than when he tested the first machine gun – the Gatling gun – on the White House lawn! Lincoln believed in technology, urbanization, progress, and industry. He was an Industrial Revolutionist of the highest order.

Next year is going to be a wonderful celebration for Lincoln enthusiasts – February 12, 2009 is his 200^th birthday! Congress has already authorized $30,000 to the Lincoln Memorial to repair the Gettysburg Address etched in the stone walls of this awe-inspiring tribute. A Bicentennial Commission has sprung up as well. Take a look at thier official website.

Would you like to be a part of the birthday celebrations?

I have a February birthday, too – but mine is the 9^th! I fell three days short! Oh, well. I guess I’ll have to settle for admiring and studying my favorite President. I have never been to Illinois or Kentucky, but I did visit Washington, D.C. and saw the Lincoln Memorial ‘in the marble.’ I must say, it was a moving experience. It was raining and gray out, so there weren’t that many people there. The statue was immense and the whole interior of the memorial was hushed like a cathedral. If I walked towards the left or right, it felt like he was watching me! It was incredible.

In this momentous year of elections, take a look at our 16^th President. Check out a biography from the library or take a look at his Wikipedia entry.

He’s a wonderful role model to follow – driven, bright, philanthropic.

Hang our Lincoln Portrait in a prominent place and be reminded of his legacy with the Americana Print titled "Created Equal." We also feature a wonderful Gettysburg Address print with antique parchment and the beautiful penmanship of the 19^th century.

Oh, and speaking of February birthdays – Don’t forget George Washington on the 22^nd. He did a lot of great things, too!