Grain Sack Totes - The Great American Fleabag

 Who could have imagined back in April that it would take this long to have a few bags to offer for sale? It's a long boring story, but we're slowly making progress toward having a steady supply, (at least until my stockpile of bags is depleted.)  

 Here, from my April post, is how the Great American Fleabag(c) was born: 'Since I acquired hundreds of grain sacks last year and began selling them, I've noticed that many of them have been shunned.  A few small stains or a flaw in the fabric and they get passed over.  Since we've previously established that I love 'gnarly', I decided to sew a few totes from some of the less than perfect sacks'

Our totes are larger than average and 'Brimfield' tested.  Margaret and I stuffed and overstuffed them on our trip to Brimfield in May and found them to be perfect for flea market shopping.  You can pack a whole passel of treasures into one bag.  (Of course you may feel free to use your bag for other uses - like when you need to pick up eighteen baguettes at the bakery, take your laundry home to Mom, or pack lunch for the entire family if your name is 'Duggar'.............)

No two totes are alike, since each grain sack is an authentic farm-used bit of American history and shows it's age in it's own way .  You may expect to find any of the following:  stains, mends, occasionally a tiny hole, patches, fabric flaws, faded graphics, discoloration, snags, wear......

Our first few bags are currently available on etsy; click on the photo of the one you like to be taken directly to that listing, or click here to see which ones are currently available. 
When more totes are added, we'll post it on our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gracies-Cottage/213811755319551

Kane County Flea Market - A Little Peek

It's 'show season'....finally!  This weekend we'll be at the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Illinois.  You'll find us in the Robinson Building, Space 42.  Along with a fun mix of finds,  we're gonna have a 'fixin's bar' filled with fun ephemera and loads of schnibbles & bits.

 If you need a place to stash all of your little finds, Kathy is bringing a most amazing dental cabinet - perfect for the job.

We'll also have a limited supply of  'The Great American Fleabag'

We're saving imperfect grain sacks from the landfill....one stitch at a time.  Some are nearly big enough to hide a small child, but we're not endorsing that.  We do, however, recommend that you get one right away to carry all of your vintage treasures.

If you can't make it to Kane, we'll be at the Grayslake Antique Market next weekend.  The weekend after that is our "home" show....the can't-be-missed Elkhorn Antique Flea Market. We hear that this show is sold-out.  Hundreds of vendors, inside & out...and all vintage.  We hope to see you soon!

I'm linking up with Creations by Kara for Look What I Made

Go check it out!

No Time to Create :(

I know we're all busy. How do so many of you find the time to create such wonderful things? Keeping my business running smoothly takes all my time. Between buying, photographing, listing on etsy, shipping, paperwork, tagging show items, blogging...there's no time left in my days to create.  I love what I do, but was just reminded again that I need to find a way to be more efficient! 

As I listed this sugar sack with the most beautiful faded red print...

...I realized that it would team up beautifully with a couple of old voting booth curtains in my shop.  A tote bag, an apron, a pillow...I can see them all in my mind's eye.  I've decided to save a similar sack and curtain for myself, but am wondering if I'll ever do anything with them. I'm truly frustrated by my inability to get to projects like this.  If you have any great time-management tips for me, sing out!  In the meantime, it's back to work for me...
  

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Thanks to Michelle from Vintage Junky for including one of our items in her delightful post today. Check out her fun blog when you have a moment.

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!

Elkhorn Antique Flea Market - Grain Sacks & Time Travelers

This Sunday is the last of the season for the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This is by far one of the best flea markets in the Midwest with 400-500 vendors of vintage and antique items.  No new stuff is allowed so you won't wear out your tootsies bypassing soy candles, knock-off handbags or t-shirts.  As always, we'll bring a nice mix of items for you.

We'll have a selection of grain sacks at a very special price

 

Seasonal decor & accessories

and even "Time Travelers"c

See YOU there!

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?