Do You Love Gnarly?

Most of the grain sacks in my etsy shop have sold so I've decided to dig into the stash and get some more listed.  A year ago my "stash" was huge...I had over 700 sacks at one point. 

I haven't counted lately, but there are not that many left.

It seems that most buyers prefer the ones that are the closest to "perfect"; 

without too many stains, repairs or holes.  

 I'm afraid my heart beats at a different pace.  While I can appreciate the "pretty" ones, what really gets my pulse racing are the gnarly survivors like this one.

It's been around the block and over the river more than once.

It shows honest wear from just going to work and doing it's job.

(At the risk of offending some by getting political for

a moment, I wish our Wisconsin Democratic Senators would do the same...)

I love the way the farmer or his wife patched this with a bit of blue/white ticking.

Charming, yes?

I'm linking up with Capers of the Vintage Vixens for Bloggers' Bodega, (grain sacks are available in my etsy shop with more are being added today)
and
Faded Charm for White Wednesday. 

Winners! The Great American Grain Sack Giveaway

Drum roll, please............
First number generated belongs to:  Kim at Savvy Southern Style . She wins the Fulton sack!
Second winner:  Theresa of 612 Riverside gets the Bemis sack.
Third winner:   Cindy at Oakview Cottage gets the Bemis 2 1/2 bushel sack.
Congratulations!   Please e-mail me: cobblecreek(at)wi.rr.com with your shipping address so I can get them on the way to you.

Thanks to each of you that took the time to enter and to those who earned multiple entries; wish I could send one to everyone. This was great fun and we'll do it again some day!

Great American Grain Sack Giveaway

It's time for a good ol' fashioned American junker giveaway!  It seems that the whole world is enamored of those expensive French grain sacks. I've got nothing against them, except that they cost un bras et une jambe, (pardon my French).  And, I love America and American made products.

Earlier this year, hundreds of American feed, seed and flour sacks found their way into my possession. I've been selling them on eBay, etsy and at shows in Wisconsin, Illinois & Minnesota. Hundreds of them have gone to new  homes.  I only wish that I could see how they've all been used.

Made of heavy cotton, most measure about 20" x 40".  Because they are seamless, there is a whole lot of fabric to work with.  They are perfect for pillows, upholstery, table runners, window treatments, totes, sachets.... You can incorporate the logo or ignore it.  (You can even stencil them with your favorite French motif!)

These are freshly-laundered authentic American "farm-used" grain, seed & flour sacks that are 60-80 years old. There are minor imperfections or small stains or marks on most of them; the imperfections are a part of the character and history of the sack.

We're giving away the three sacks pictured above. You could win one! 
1.  For one entry, leave a comment on this post.  (It's not required, but we'd love to know how you'd use it if you have one of the winning entries.)
2.  For a second entry link to this post on your blog and note that in your comment.
3.  For a third entry Tweet a link to this post to your followers, and note that in your comment.

Anyone can enter, (even non-U.S. peeps), but you need to use an ID, (entries from 'anonymous' will not be accepted).

The three winners will be picked using a random number generator.  The first winner drawn will receive the Fulton sack.  The second winner will receive the Bemis Seamless and the third winner will receive the Bemis Seamless 2 1/2 Bushels with the stripes.  On Monday, November 1st, we'll announce the winners who will then have until Friday, November 5th to contact us with their shipping info.

Spread the word and get your entry in!

We're linking ups with Faded Charm for White Wednesday... be sure to check out all the beautiful whiteness featured there!

June 5 & 6 - Kane County Flea Market - Preview #2

Smile!  We're bringing our collection of vintage cameras...

...and old clay pots with "chalkboard" label space.  

Change the label whenever you feel like it

or apply a finish coat to make it permanent.

Of course we're bringing loads more...

feed sacks, primitives, hardware, ephemera.

Look for us in the "old" sheep building...

I promise you, it won't be baaaa'd. 

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Kane County Flea Market Preview #2

 This Saturday & Sunday we'll be in Expo East, Space 24 

at the Kane County Flea Market in St Charles, Illinois.

We've found some fun stuff and will be 

bringing multiples of some items,

like the doorknobs above.

We have a gazillion great feed, flour & sugar sacks,

most are big -  100 lb or 2 1/2 bushel size,

...flower show ribbons

...cigar bands.  

And SO much more!

See you there?

Kane County - 3 Weeks to Go - Sneak Peek

Gracie's Cottage will be selling at the Kane County Flea Market  for the first time on May 1st and 2nd. For the past fourteen years I've enjoyed seeking out treasures and sharing them with friends like you. Since leaving my day job late in 2008, (thank you Mr. Bad Economy),  it's been a pleasure to expand and try new venues.  My dear friend Kathy will be sharing space with me at Elkhorn and Junk Bonanza but I'll be flying solo this time.

Candy from Altered Ever After shared with me how much she's enjoyed selling at Kane County.  The Iowa Junk Gypsies, (whom I have yet to meet but have worshipped from afar), sell there as well.  I've started gathering things to take; here's a sneak peek:

Some of you know that we love letters and numbers and always try to have a nice selection to offer. The original calligraphy alphabets on waxy linen vellum are 'to die for'; you've got to see them in person to appreciate them.

We have a couple of terrific chippy garden urns, lots of galvanized goodies and these wonderful old fishing floats in unusual colors.

We'll bring dozens of great old feed, flour and sugar sacks, (both shabby & pristine), hardware and ephemera.  Hope to meet you there!