vintage grain sacks
I love antiques. Whether it is a charming old house, a vintage accessory or a well-crafted piece of furniture, I adore things of quality and age. That is not to say I want a dowdy, out of style old lady house — I love mixing old and new to create my own personal style.
I just think it is remarkably special to own unique pieces with a real history. I love knowing that a piece was around way back when. There is something beautiful about an antique that no piece made today can quite capture!
Of course, I have nothing against Pottery Barn, IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Target, HomeGoods or any other home store that sells new furniture, replicas or look-alikes. I shop at those places from time to time myself. Certainly there is a time and a place to buy new or imitation.
But the pieces in my home that I treasure the most, and will in all likelihood still display and admire twenty to thirty or more years from now, are the ones with the most history. The ones that have a soul.
Antiques have a story to tell. Just like my grandpa who shared adventure tales from long ago, an antique tells stores far more interesting than any discount home store accessory could ever dream up.
Newly painted particle board is no match for the patina and richness of the antique wood. I adore the beauty of vintage textiles and the richness of an old oil painting. While I am no purist or antique snob, I do have a fondness for authenticity.
And if we are concerned about dollars (and of course we are), buying an antique we can keep forever doesn’t have to cost any more than throwing money at cheap imitations year after year. Many antiques you buy today will likely last a lifetime. If you love trendy decor, it can be expensive to keep up with what is hot and what’s not!
Just when you get all the latest stuff and start feeling all trendy, you open up a new magazine to realize your things are already hopelessly out of style. Or worse, they have fallen apart and it is time to reinvest in what is new. With antiques, you can blend a style all your own — one that can evolve over a lifetime and last just as long as you do. You don’t have to be a slave to trends dictated by someone else.
{GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED} Speaking of antiques, today we have a FABULOUS rare giveaway (see photo and description below). I SO want to win it. But of course, I can’t win because of that tiny small voice inside that says that would be just wrong of me.
One of my amazing blog partners, 3 Fine Grains, is sponsoring this giveaway today (yes, full disclosure, I am NOT this generous). I met Kymberley from 3 Fine Grains through a real life friend who knew we’d hit it off! Kymberley is an interior designer who has found her passion in antique textiles. So what is she giving away?
THIS IS THE PRIZE!
An authenticated antique German grain sack!
The photo above is of an over 100 year old authentic German grain sack. Can you imagine? THIS is the prize! The fabric AND the ink, the whole sack is the REAL DEAL! In fact, it is SO AWESOME and rare it has a value of $450!
It is a work of art from history, pure craftsmanship made to last hundreds and hundreds of years. These sacks were made to be extremely durable! As Kymberley points out on her website, they had to be thrown in the back of wagons, they were crafted to be left laying out in fields and strewn about mills.
These authentic grain sacks are more durable than any fabric you will find in modern shops so they can stand up to abuse from children and animals for a lifetime. And they are safe for people you love…they are made from organic hemp linen, all pesticide and chemical free. You can wash and dry many of them, or if you want to, you can dry clean them.
These sacks are not found mass produced for a chain discount store, these are found hidden under floor boards of charming old farmhouses or tucked away in the keepsakes of ladies from long ago. Oh the tales of adventure they could tell!
An authentic grain sack is something you WILL NOT throw away or dump on the curbside when the trendies decide grain sacks are so out. Because beautiful antiques are never out or trendy. These authentic sacks are classics and only become more beautiful with age.
Certain fads based on REAL ANTIQUES like grain sacks may come in and out of vogue, but the authenticity and charm of a real antique surpasses the whims of what is in and what’s out. That is the beauty of an antique. You enjoy them for their beauty and craftsmanship, not for their trendiness.
I love that a grain sack is versatile. You can use it to create whatever you want. So go ahead and dream. What would you do with an authentic grain sack? Cover a beloved chair? Make a stunning pillow cover? Hang in a window? Upholster a footstool? Oh, the options!
My stork pillow. Oh how I love thee.
I myself am in love with my own French grain sack pillow, also from 3 Fine Grains. Look at that stork! Sigh. I adore it. I hug it. I admire it. I tell its tales to any one who will listen. The original ink is so vivid and beautiful, the photos do not do it justice. It is beautiful. The texture is so amazing I run my hands across it almost every time I walk by. Yes, I am weird like that. Do I have that kind of love for all of my material things? No, not really. I do love my home and the treasures I’ve gathered, but there is just something special about beauty that only comes with age. I can say that now that I am over 40. I’m rapidly becoming somewhat of an antique myself.
Here it is again, the rare prize.
So, what would you use that over 100 year old authentic German grain sack for, should you be the lucky one to win it for yourself? Let’s dream about the options in the comments! Only one person will win at random, but because I like to spread the joy and have more people enjoy the beauty, you can enter up to FOUR times by promoting this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or your blog as well as a comment here. This is fun. Giveaway ends on Saturday, August 22nd midnight PST and winner will be announced next week! I promise, it won’t be me.
You can see more lovely things from 3 Fine Grains on Kymberley’s website! I love reading what she shares about the grain sacks, their quality and their history, so it is a recommended visit!
This giveaway generously sponsored by 3 Fine Grains.
But my adoration of authentic grain sacks is 100% heartfelt and genuinely expressed by me.
Thank you for entering, the GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
This is the first true blog I have ever commented on! Go Me! And I did it all because this is one awesome giveaway! These are by far the most unique and fabulous pillows ever! I want to win soooo bad! Please please please please pick me! I promise to tell everyone in the whole world I know and every guests who walks in my home about this amazing giveaway! (I won’t have to though, they’ll see them and ask me where I got such chic decor!)
kirstenkirsten1@yahoo.com
Ok… Melissa… ever since I have found your blog and you have referenced 3 Fine Grains, I have salivated!!! I have never seen such beautiful textiles! I am of German decent. My Great great granparents were Pennsylvania Dutch on both sides of the family!
I have a rocker that my grandfather made me… I would want to protect this beautiful textile as much as possible… so I would place it over the rocker back as a slip cover! It would be stunning!
Bless You and Kymberley for sharing the love and affinity for such fine things!
I think I would actually use it as a wall hanging in my gathering room. I absolutely love it!
Now, off to book and tweet and blog!
.-= jill´s last blog ..Friends, Fellowship and Food =-.
oh my gracious! me, me, me!!
Das ist unglaubliche schoen!
(this is unbelieveably beautiful)
I would slip that beautiful lady over the back of the chair at the head of my dining room table, showing off her “back” to everyone who walked through my house or, more importantly, so I could stare at it daily from our family room
I would LOVE to win this sack, especially since today is my 30th birthday!! I would totally make a pillow out of it or maybe cover a tufted ottoman with it, combined with some fancy trim because I just love the mix of something worn and weathered with something shiny and gaudy! Thank you! Blessings!
.-= Ginnie Renner´s last blog ..Ahhh…summer-time fun! =-.
Wow what a givaway! so sweet of her! I have been looking at all these beautiful grain sacks. one that was truely an antique would be so special. We are remodeling an old farmhouse at the moment so I would definetly find a spot for it: wall hanging, pillow, window treatment…..mind could go on! Thank you for sharing
blessings, Barbara
.-= b.ellen´s last blog ..A Tiny Party :: Part One =-.
OH wow…. I would make a pillow, and put it on my guest room bed. It would be a GREAT inspiration piece for the rest of the room
.-= Elizabeth S´s last blog ..Sunday Song =-.
I would make a pillow and use it in my living room!!
Eeeeek! My fingers are crossed! Thanks!
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..How ’bout them Cowgirls… =-.
I didn’t say how I’d use it! I think I’d use it as a pillow cover!
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..How ’bout them Cowgirls… =-.
I would use it on my couch in my new apartment
I could use the UMPH!!!
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing…. I would either use it in my kitchen (hanging on the wall) or framed in my tiny dining room…. or as a pillow on my bed/couch/guest bed…. oh goodness!
Beautiful! I want that!! I kind of like the idea of an upholstered chair! Too cool! Thanks so much!
.-= Chele´s last blog ..Overcoming Busy Guest Post and a Giveaway =-.
Promoted on Facebook!
.-= Chele´s last blog ..Overcoming Busy Guest Post and a Giveaway =-.
What a neat giveaway! I love the look of that chair.
How lovely! I would probably use it to recover an ottoman.
Tweeted! Username is KFSonshine.
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..How ’bout them Cowgirls… =-.
Oh and I couldn’t help but tweet about it!
.-= Chele´s last blog ..Overcoming Busy Guest Post and a Giveaway =-.
What to do with the grain sack…
1. hug it,
2. cherish it,
3. blog about it,
4. leave it unadulterated ,
5. use as curtain in an obvious window,
6. enjoy until death do us part…
.-= Robin´s last blog ..This Is New =-.
I am a genealogist and photographer, so old treasures and photographs have a special place in my home. I’m not sure WHAT it would be, but I would definitely use it in my genealogy corner… where I house all my binders and research and special family mementos (like the milk bottles my great grandfather used to deliver by hand. priceless!) what a great giveaway and find, layla!!!
Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. This would be perfect in my new living room in Paraguay, especially since it’s in the middle of a Mennonite colony of German speakers!
.-= Shilo´s last blog ..Nuestro Refugio en Paraguay =-.
OH MY GOSH! I HAVE to win this. My maiden name is “Pfeffer” and that one sack has “Pfeuffer” on it!. Please please let me win!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Tough Weekend =-.
wow! This is a great giveaway!
I hope I’m the random winner!
a pillow… framed in a vitage window… so many possibilities!
ps sorry you can’t win your own
but thanks for giving us a chance to win one!
gail
.-= gail´s last blog ..repurposed door into an entry hall tree =-.
Well, I have to say this is the most unusual giveaway I’ ve seen yet [or entered]; my house is nearly 100 years old so I’m sure if I win it, it will fit right in somewhere! May have to fight my son for it, though, as he has visited Germany three times now and is in love with the country – he would most certainly want to keep the prize…
I love it Melissa! I love the pillows, but then again ideas pop into my mind when I least expect it. Thanks for offering this wonderful giveaway!
Hugs,
Cathie
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..My Daughter’s First Giveaway and a New Family Member =-.
Oooh! I think that I would cover my beat up old ottoman. It would look divine!
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Busy Weekend . . . =-.
I would hang it from a dow rod and hang it on the wall. I think it’s too beautiful to cut or disturb in anyway! I’ve got the perfect spot for it.
.-= Jancey´s last blog ..Michael Jackson Tribute =-.
Oh, my! What a FAB FAB FAB grainsack. I think it is wanting to live at Rose Cottage to be a constant source of inspiration and a bit of treasure history! The grain sack would be perfect in our little 1880′s cottage built by new immigrants from the old country.
I know I would make a lovely chair cover for an antique French chair — perfect to showcase the grain cloth!
Happy day (with fingers crossed),
Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm
.-= Debbykay´s last blog ..French Millinery Magic =-.
so much fun! I’m of German descent, so this would be extra special for me to display — probably in some form in my kitchen – a wall hanging or something.
also facebooked/twittered/blogged…..
.-= Jenni´s last blog ..Weekend =-.
Such a fabulous giveaway- I would LOVE that antique grain sack. Depending on the size I might use it to cover a chair that I’m currently distressing. If it’s not big enough then I’d make a pillow out of it.
Thank you!
.-= Morning T´s last blog ..Burlap pots =-.
I would have to display it somehow in my kitchen. Either framed or on top of the kitchen cabinets, what is that area called? Anyone?
Ooooh !! I would definitely make a pillow! lovely!!
Kate
.-= katevp´s last blog ..lets get ready for….. =-.
there are soooo many things I could do with this beautiful grain sack!! the possibilities are endless. a pillow? frame it? cover a footstool? oh my, what will I do with it? i can’t wait until i have to decide
Jeannie in Omaha
I also facebooked this giveaway!!
yeehaw!
Oh la la! This one is gorgeous. Pillow cover, slipcover, who knows. Scrumptious.
i’m starting to put together a “look” for my family room at my new house, and vintage grain & flour sacks are center stage! my father used to work for Pillsbury, so i have some old burlap & grain sacks to use. none so beautiful as this one! thanks for sharing this with us…
rachel
ooooh, your ideas are fab! Like you I love antiques! I don’t have any grain sacks…yet. This is so wonderful, I would frame it. I don’t think I could bring myself to alter it. Thanks to both of you for the giveaway!
oh. my. word. !!! i need this! i can just see the beautiful wall hanging or i do have the perfect chair to re-upholster, or a beautiful, unique pillow – have i mentioned that i need this?
.-= Katy Lin´s last blog ..31 Days of Praying for Our Husbands ~ Day 30 =-.
Love! You know I’m completely bias that it’s in German, too. It would go up next to a family heirloom that’s framed and a cross stitch from my sister on linen.
Thanks for a shot at something so beautiful and filled with history.
Katie
I love antiques too! They tell a story that only they know. It’s fab!
.-= Miss Jen´s last blog ..Mucho Humor =-.
holy moly!!! I would so love to frame that grain sack- it would match perfectly with my newly decorated living room! WOW she has amazing stuff!
How cool is that grain sack! I’m thinking entryway, but not sure how or where.
.-= Gayle´s last blog ..Estate Sale Shopping =-.
Wow, just wow. Sign me up, although I’m guessing if I were to win, I might be afraid to do anything with it.
.-= songbirdtiff´s last blog ..It’s Time for a Giveaway! =-.
OMG. WOW… what an awesome giveaway!!! Oh, how I would treasure this!!!!!
I’m heading over to visit her now… what a generous gal!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..What’s in YOUR jar? =-.
Oh wow! My heart is pounding at the very idea of holding something so precious in my hands! I know I would never be able to cut such a thing, so I would almost certainly hang in on my wall or stuff it and stitch it closed (ever so carefully!!) for a pillow. Or I might just slip it over the back of a straight-backed chair.
.-= Rebekah´s last blog ..100th post =-.
Will go well with other antiques from my German heritage.
How gorgeous! That covered chair is AMAZING! What a wonderful giveaway.
.-= Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Hanging plates =-.
I blogged and twittered the giveaway too
Jen
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..What’s in YOUR jar? =-.
I have been admiring these pillows made from antique bags for a while now. I even saw in one of my favorite shops nearby called Nesting On Main, that they are covering cuffs with them and adding a broach on top.
Please enter me in your giveaway, and so nice to read your beautiful post.
Karen
.-= karen´s last blog ..The Dream =-.
what a fabulous idea & incredibly generous giveaway! my own home has a number of treasured antiques (from an 1898 rolltop desk to armoire to vintage ice chests). i’d love to make that wonderful hemp sack into an overstuffed pillow for my sofa. and i especially love that it’s so kid-friendly.
thanks for this amazing opportunity!