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Sunday, February 6, 2011

My Own Super Bowl


My husbands "joke de jour" has been that we should be the ones hosting a Super Bowl party because we are the only people he knows who do, in fact, literally, have a "super bowl"...


He is, of course, referring to the huge 5' long antique carved wooden trencher bowl that sits beneath the living room picture window, holding extra pillows, throws, and blankets. I bought it years ago on a trip with my family to the small picturesque Amish town of Shipshewana in northern Indiana. There is a fabulous antique mall there, and the minute I laid eyes on this amazing bowl I knew I had to have it. With a blush of excitement, I nervously shelled out $80 for it - a huge purchase for me as a live-at-home 18 year old, with no house of my own and no plan for such an oversized piece.

But the bowl was so big and beautiful and full of character, and even with my limited experience I knew it was an incredible deal and a once-in-a-lifetime find. As I watched my dad load it into the back of the van, I suddenly felt like a collector. An antiquer. A bona-fide treasure hunter.  It was the first real antique I ever bought, and I guess you could say I've been hooked ever since.

10 comments:

  1. Ellie~
    It is absolutely beautiful! A trencher is on my wish list. My theory is always buy now and figure out where to put it later! With a large trencher that same rule applies, I would MAKE room for a bowl like that! Yours is a piece to treasure for sure. Take care. ~Sarah~

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  2. I want one! Hey where did you get that paisley printed throw? And that grain sack pillow? Actually I like everything in that bowl..

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  3. Meg - the paisley throw is from Marshall's :) The "grain sack" pillow used to be a chair pad from that Homespun Treasures store in Berlin, OH (not an antique) and I opened up a seam and stuffed it with feathers from an old feather pillow and sewed it back up. And I just found the vintage blue ticking pillowcases at at antique mall here in Nebraska - a pair for $9! Oh, and the white quilt is an old patchwork quilt that Pete's grandma made him when he was a baby. His mom gave it to me after we got married :)

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  4. Hi Ellie, I just found your blog through your etsy shop and I love it! You have beautiful taste and style. Your shop and blog are lovely!
    Blessings,
    Courtney

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  5. Hi and Welcome to blogworld and yes your blog and shop are both beautiful, I found you via Courtney's post on her blog. Now off to shop!
    Sherry

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  6. Popping over from Honeycomb Creative. LOVE this Super Bowl! I am wondering how I could make one of my own. Such a good find - $80 at 18 is a BIG deal but this piece will follow you through the rest of your life. Good on you, girl!

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  7. Hi Ellie, Not sure how I came upon you, but I liked seeing your unique style. So you were originally from Ohio? I live in Dayton now, but an not a native. See that you are a fairly new blogger. Please know there are so many friendly people out there who are ready and willing to help if you have questions. Just pop off an e-mail if I can ever do anything. I can remember what it was like when I first started up! :-) Sue

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  8. What a brilliant purchase!!!!!! I wish I had that kind of eye when I was 18 (eons ago!!)

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  9. Beautiful trencher, I want one but they are so expensive.You did great awesome purchase.

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  10. You were a wise 18 yr. old with a good eye!!!

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