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!
I love it!! please enter me!
I cross all my fingers
.-= meninheira´s last blog ..A crúa realidade XDD =-.
and i posted on Twitter about this generous offer, too!
The Beauty of an Antique & A Very Rare Giveaway – http://shar.es/QFXT
my ID is: gradschoolmommy.
Love all those pictures! I am drooling! I’m not sure of the size of the sack but I have been dying for one of these to either make a pillow or cover a gorgeous chair I have currently sitting in a shed. These may not be very creative ideas but would be the perfect way to incorporate one of these lovelies in my living room for all to admire.
Hope you are feeling better!
Posted this geneour offer on Twitter, too!
The Beauty of an Antique & A Very Rare Giveaway – http://shar.es/QFXT
My ID is: GradSchoolMommy
I have an old wooden chair that I got at a yard sale. I have been thinking of redoing it, and I think this would make a nice little slipcover for the back of the chair. If it’s the right size, I could just slip it down over the back of the chair.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Mama Knows Best =-.
How absolutely fabulous! Thank you for your description of antiques, as I could not have so eloquently described them. I adore that sack and would make sure it is loved for another 100 years!
.-= Brooke´s last blog ..Spring Cleaning for normal people =-.
Oh how I want to win this sack so I can take care of it. I’ll twitter about it today.
Ohhh… How lovely! I am envisioning it pulled over a canvas, some lovely brads for edging, hanging in the lonely space above the couch that is just begging for fabulous art….
Love it enough to post to my blog!
http://www.thegreenhangershop.blogspot.com
I love items like this. Makes me wanna hit up my local antique shops asap.
I’m thinking a pillow or even having it framed rustic-style.
.-= Darla´s last blog ..Did you know your butt gets sore… =-.
Absolutely fabulous! My husband’s family is German so he would treasure it as well. Off to covet at 3 Fine Grains and then to tweet.
I tweeted about the giveaway! http://twitter.com/csophisticated
.-= Nicol´s last blog ..What do you do when….. =-.
I would hang it as-is in my kitchen! Gorgeous!!!
.-= tara´s last blog ..thankfulness #3 =-.
So Cool!!! Enter me please….
Sorry…I forgot to leave my email address…falka01@hotmail.com
I normally don’t blog about giveaways on my blog, but I truly think this one is worth it. I hope to win! http://classyandsophisticated.blogspot.com/2009/08/antique-german-feedsack.html
.-= Nicol´s last blog ..Antique German Feedsack =-.
oooh.. aaahhhh. I love it – count me in! & Thanks!
.-= The Lady of the House´s last blog ..Hidey Ho and link to a Fabulous Giveaway! =-.
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! Please sign me up for this giveaway!!! I just can’t believe someone would give such a treasure away!!
.-= Amanda Jo´s last blog ..zzzZZZzzZzzz… =-.
i tweeted you here
.-= Katy Lin´s last blog ..31 Days of Praying for Our Husbands ~ Day 30 =-.
The German sacks are so lovely. I would frame it to hang at the top of my stairs by a walnut piesafe. What an honor it would be to own such a wonderful piece of history. Thank you for sharing.
Charla
.-= Charla @ For the Sake of Time´s last blog ..Sunday Heart =-.
I love this! I was actually looking at the new, look alike pillows recently at a store online. Nothing would beat the real deal! I would love to put this on my old chair that I am refinishing somehow. Maybe a pillow?
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Adirondack Chair: A sweet deal at a garage sale! =-.
Oh it is lovely! And as I have a strong German heritage on my Mama’s side, this would be such an authentic addition to my home. I honestly could not see cutting it up to make a pillow or chair cover – I just could not do it! But I think a simple frame showcasing its beauty is all it would need. We have a walk out basement that is our family retreat – I have sepia prints and rustic feel to the room. What a perfect contribution this piece would make. Thanks for sharing!
.-= cribtales´s last blog ..Sweet Boy – August 2009 =-.
love grain sacks…could never afford;)
.-= kara´s last blog ..Tueday Tour—-Sarah Richardson =-.
I am enjoying this blog so much, thank you for inspiring me everyday.
Sign me up for the giveaway!
How absolutely beautiful! I have been drooling over these for awhile and would be thrilled to call this my own. Thanks for the opportunity!
Hugs~A
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Don’t Worry…Be Happy… =-.
I LOVE antique grain sacks. Sometimes I can find real ones at the antiques fair in Alameda. This one is especially lovely! I would either frame it in a beautiful antique black frame or make a pillow. I’d love to make a chair with it, but I’m probably not that brave right now!! Love it!!
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..No Solicitors… =-.
That is a beautiful burlap sack. I think I would hang it on the wall.
Thanks.
Sylvia
My husband’s family is German…VERY old German…apparently they trace back to 2 AD! Yeah, my family is brand spankin’ new compared to them.
But oh, how I would love to have that to frame and hang with a collection of family photos…how cool is that???
Please enter me!
I feel about old books the way you feel about old fabric. Please enter me, I have a newish white chair that could really use a special pillow.
.-= Shelley´s last blog ..I’m a Gambling Girl =-.
what a generous give away. Please enter my name, would love to have such a treasure. Kathysue
I am part German. I would love this to prolong my heritage.
I actually have a grain sack that has someone’s initials stitched into it. I can’t even bear to cut it up. So, I would probably have difficulty making this into something else also. But, I wouldn’t mind stroking it myself! I’ll be posting about the giveaway on my blog and twitter and facebook. Absolutely AMAZING giveaway Michelle!
.-= Karen B´s last blog ..Stash Socks =-.
That is an awesome item, very beautiful!
Would love this!!! Maybe use it for a beautiful pillow or possibly framed?
I love all of Kims Tasteful, Authentic and down right Beautiful designs, I would love it! So would my German friends in Hidden Valley! Thanks foe entering me.
I have an old ladder in my room I’ve been looking for things to drape on it. Love it!
Oh! please enter me in this dreamy give-away…. I have a house with a covered porch,making the inside somewhat dark…Ive decided to have a
swedish style interior and If I won this Grain Sack I would either upholster
my French style chair or maybe it would become a Table runner on my White Distressed entrance table and live under my garage sale chandelier..how pretty the thought is very exciting.
Warm Regards, Laura
I also posted on twitter and facebook about the giveaway!!
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..No Solicitors… =-.
Yes please enter me again! I will face book it now!
I’ve been eyeing these since I saw my fellow Earth Angel artist Jennifer Lanne’s made into a super-enviable handbag/sack–I’m off to make an announcement on my blog (and hope that my settings are correct so it will hop over automatically to facebook)–please enter my name for the most fabulous giveaway of the season!
–Laurie
.-= Laurie Meseroll´s last blog ..Fashonista-wear for Country Living Fair 2009: I AM a spoiled child =-.
OMG!! Can’t believe this give away. It would be a pillow for my bed. It is so fitting because my ancestry is German. This is so cool, hope I win.
.-= Laura Zarrin´s last blog ..Shop Update =-.
Love it! I would make a beautiful pillow for my sister in law who is getting married in 3 weekes and is all about rerusing. Her and her fiancee are looking to buy some farm land so it would be just perfect!
That is gorgeous and would be a welcome and well loved addition to my home!
Thanks,
Kristen
Melissa, I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been able to visit much. And, I’ve missed you. You always inspire me, and you always have a smile that you generously share. I hope all is well with you and your family.
Do you ever hear from Felicity?
I love this grain sack. I think it would be beautiful framed.
.-= Beverly´s last blog ..Chillin’ =-.
It would take me a long time to decide what to do with such a treasure, but I would put it to good use eventually! In the mean time, I would just stroke it and imagine all the people/things it had seen in its long lifetime.
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Low on Cash =-.
And in hopes that I realllly win it, I added your giveaway to my blog as well. http://lovelaughterlifelunacy.blogspot.com/2009/08/we-interrupt-regularly-scheduled-post.html
Thanks again!
Hugs~A
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..We interrupt the regularly scheduled post for….a FABULOUS giveaway! =-.
i would make a pillow with mine!
Lovely. Totally simply lovely. I blogged, twittered and FB…cause it’s too cool and the inspired room is more than cool…
.-= lylah ledner´s last blog ..My Notebook on The Beauty of an Antique =-.
how amazing and generous. I love it, i’d hang it somehow. although I love the idea of putting as a pillow, realistically for me, my kids would think it just another pillow.
.-= heidi´s last blog ..family pictures =-.
So lovely! I have loved seeing these grain sacks; they make my heart skip a little bit.
I’m thinking this would make a fabulous window valance for my entryway. Or possibly to reupholster the chair of my daughter’s antique desk — we just took the old seat off and discovered it was padded with HAY! It’s even older than we thought, and deserving of something truly wonderful to recover it.
Love your site — it’s a daily read for me!
I think that I would frame it in a lovely rustic frame and hang it in my dining area. Wow, what a giveaway!
.-= Gwen@MurphyGraceHome´s last blog ..Thrifty Makeover Madness =-.
I came back to check on my suspicions and sure enough! I called you Michelle! UGH, sorry about that. I know you’re Melissa!
.-= Karen B´s last blog ..Stash Socks =-.