I'm a little blue bird...

I have been given the most beautiful printed fabric in shades of blue and cream. I fell in-love immediately, almost rivalling how much I like Mr M, but let's not mention that to him.

The gorgeous illustrated birds in flight amidst exotic flowers has been hand illustrated with 4 or 5 different shades of blue depicting the detail. The birds, in various motions, are simply illustrated, with the various shades detailing their feathers.

The blues gradually lighten and darken making shadows amidst the petals and the birds wings. The larger leaves look almost like bamboo or willow, alongside the blue colour palette, I'm sure the print has been inspired by the orient.

I would date this fabric back to the 1910's or 1920's. It unfortunately has suffered through the years, but it is clear it has been displayed for people's enjoyment. And after all that is what printed fabrics are created for. The cotton has been woven, and unfortunately in certain areas this has worn thin.

I've had the fabric a little while. It was found at the bottom of a trunk and had clearly been folded away several years. Unfortunately there are a few fold lines across the print.

I wanted to use the blue bird print fabric for something extra special, where the fabric could be seen everyday and bring joy to the users, myself and Mr M.

Mr M. and I have recently had our living room decorated in pale eau de nil, by Laura Ashley. Its a fresh blue and green colour, welcoming and warm. This colour would have been popular around the Victorian era but probably not used in a living room but more likely in a bedroom or bathroom.

Fittingly, the blue bird fabric was perfect to sit in the room. There was not much of the fabric, so it had to be used sparingly. I had just enough to make two cushions for our sofa and a little left over for Marie-Reine. 

Our sofa is our pride and joy in the living room. It took us almost six months to choose the perfect sofa. Although it usually isn't such an ordeal for most people, it really was for us. We're rather particular about comfort and height.

After having sampled most sofa's across London, old and new, we ended up splashing out for a rather expensive sofa. However, it's deep enough to curl your legs up, and low enough for my extremely short legs!

I decided against piping around the edges to keep the cushion simple and focus attention on the print itself. The original lining fabric, in cream, the blue bird fabric was attached to was used as the backing fabric. This may have been a mistake as it is extremely thin and frail and has already worn thin. We'll call it character!

Marie V

Flash Sale

Marie V is having a flash sale, 20% off everything online in time for Christmas.

Treat someone special with a unique, bespoke, vintage gift.

Lavender sacks, cushions, lace frames, draft excluders, red wine vinegar and more!


Enter discount count code Flash2011 into the discount box at checkout to claim your 20% off.

Hurry, sale ends Monday 19th 5pm!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas
Marie V

Tangy Artichoke Hearts

I first tried this dish when visiting my great-uncle in Spain. A long weekend of amazingly tasty food, beautiful art and stunning vistas from his beach side home.

At first I was sceptical, the dish smelt very strong of vinegar, but infact the vinegar had boiled away and all was left was moist artichokes with a great garlic tang.

He sourced some baby artichokes, which unfortunately I've never been able to find here in the UK. However, I've adapted the recipe to use tinned artichoke hearts which are just as tasty and tender, and also all the trimming and peeling has already been done for you!

Ingredients

• 2-3 tins of artichoke hearts (you can find these in supermarkets)
• 5-7 cloves of garlic
• Plain flour, one tablespoon
• Marie V Red Wine Vinegar

Implements

• Large saucepan
• Wooden spoon

Timing

Preparation and cooking 35-40minutes

Instructions

1. Heat some oil in the pan
2. Drain the artichoke hearts
3. Cut the artichoke hearts into halves or quarters depending on size. You don't want to create a mulch, but you want all the leaf layers to be coated in the sauce.
4. Fry the artichoke hearts until gold, do not allow to burn or crisp
5. Crush or chop garlic cloves. Personally, the more garlic the better, but use less if you are not as fanatical as myself
6. Add crushed garlic and flour to pan. The flour will help create a thick sticky sauce.
7. Medium heat
8. Stir garlic and flour until artichokes are coated, keep moving so garlic does not burn
9. Add vinegar to taste.
10. I like it quite strong and tangy so I would add half a glass of vinegar or more
11. Keep adding vinegar until you are happy
12. Season to taste
13. Add water to keep moist ever now and then
14. Simmer until artichokes are soft

Enjoy!

Marie V

Marie V Commission

A few years ago my friend announced she was engaged and with all the excitement, and perhaps the bottle of bubbly we enjoyed between us, we agreed I would make her wedding dress.

A moment of madness perhaps,but seemingly this blushing bride was keen to move the project forward. We began to rifle through vogue wedding dress patterns to try and find the 'perfect' dress.

The process was possibly quicker than shopping for the 'perfect off-the-rail dress'. We found a pattern, I sourced the silk and one week later a dress was made.

After a few adjustments, the dress had it's fifteen minutes of fame and was stored away forever more in a wardrobe, forgotten amidst mini skirts and work suits.

It was clear something needed to be done with this wedding dress, and this is how once again the dress ended up in my hands for hopefully, it's final adjustment.

All the detail and effort went into the corset. Although the corset was not boned, it still had all the panels of a normal corset. And the signature rusching of the silk was clearly where the attention needed to be focused.

The obvious brief was to transform the corset into a cushion, not for every day use, but perhaps to sit somewhere formal within the married couple's home.

The problem was the corset had a curved top edge for the bust and a decorative curved edge for the waist.. It was decided the curved lines would be kept, so the cushion was recognisable as the bridal corset.

The result was a rather strange shaped cushion, but it represents the world to the bride, my friend, who can now view her wedding dress and that special day, every day.

Marie V Vinegar

Vinegar is a cook's ingredient used almost everyday in the Marie V household. From salads, to sauces, dressings and more, vinegar is an essential product that I can't run-out of. I'm now offering you my home-made red wine vinegar.

We've been making our own red wine vinegar for decades in my family. We've had the same culture for decades and as it grows from the fermentation process it has been shared between generations. My own culture as far as I know was begun by my grandmother.

By nurturing it every few months with good quality red wine, the culture helps the wine ferment into vinegar. The taste and strength of the vinegar is affected by the quality and type of wine that is used. The wine needs to rest at least three months with the culture to ensure it's transformation into vinegar.

Our family has kept their culture in a stone based jar with a cork lid. There are however a variety of jars that are advised for vinegar making from wooden casks to porcelain pots and more. My own jar, older than myself, has a fantastic age-old film of culture helping the process. It's wonderful to think that there is so much happening to the red-wine within the three months.

After three months, most of the produce is transferred into glass jars ready to use. I personally love thyme with my vinegar. I push several sprigs of home-grown fresh thyme into the bottle to infuse the vinegar. Raspberry infused vinegar is also a treat, so watch this space. And also walnut infused vinegar is a real delight, but hard to achieve without fresh walnuts.

There is also a growing popularity in chilli vinegar, a spicy infused vinegar, best used in moderation. I find this vinegar ideal for cooking, in sauces and dressings for rice salads. Mr M enjoys to team this vinegar with chilli infused olive-oil, however this is a little too spicy for me to handle!

I hope to experiment with fig infused vinegar in the near future too.

Look out for some fantastic recipes using vinegar coming up, however be sure to buy some Marie V home-made red wine vinegar. Presented in a glass jar with a vintage lace bow, it makes a perfect gift for budding cooks and looks great in your pantry!

Vintage Market and Gift Guide

I've just been informed of a rather exciting new 'vintage market' makings it's debut this Saturday 3^rd December. Located in the heart of the rustic Spitalfields, London, this vintage market will take place on the first Saturday of every month!

This could be rather risky with pay-days at the beginning of the month too, but worth a trip now and then for some interesting finds.

What a bonanza it promises shoppers!

Every month, Judy's at Spitalfields promises over 160 stands of vintage miracles. Not just fashion, this market will encompass a little (actually rather a lot) of everything; jewellery, bags, furniture, fashion, cameras, collectables, crafts, vinyl and upcycling. Something for every shopper, every keen eye and every vintage virgin!

What I think is even more exciting is entrance is free, it won't cost you to browse, so get down there and get involved rummaging and trawling.

A family friendly event to bring the entire family and lots of coffee shops around to pop-into and recharge your batteries.

Be sure to go by Blondie Vintage boutique around the back of Spitalfields, and whilst you're on the trawl for something a little vintage then Brick Lane is a little further on from Blondie Vintage.

This Saturday's first vintage market promises to be very interesting with various gift ideas coming into play with many of the sellers.

My suggestions for finding that 'special gift' when in vintage surrounds;

Be sure of the size

It can be difficult to buy clothes for someone, usually vintage finds are not returnable or exchangeable. Either be sure of the size of your loved one, or stay well clear of clothes.

Alterations.

An alternative can be to buy something that can be altered, have a tailors contact at hand and ask for advice whether the garment can be altered.

Think Accessories

Accessories, such as bags, scarves, purses and vanity items are always a great gift item, whether vintage or not. Again, as items may not be exchangeable make sure the item is in a good condition that you are happy with.

Scarves

Play it safe, a lovely silk scarf is pleasing for men and women, depending on the chosen print. Look at the labels for fabric composition or ask the stand holder. Look at the print, check for any damages, pulled threads, discolouration and stains. Prints are personal, pick a colour that will suit the receiver and a print that you feel will be appreciated. A scarf can be beautifully packaged in a box to sit under the tree and will make someone, very happy indeed.!

Something original

With vintage, it is most likely going to be an original and special gift. Jewellery can always be an excellent way to give something unique and irreplaceable.

Tea-sets and similar items are also a great way of giving a unique item. Make sure none of the pieces are chipped or damaged and ask that these be wrapped individually so they don't get damaged whilst you continue to rummage!

Stocking fillers

Whilst a Vintage market or store may not have that ideal 'special' gift your heart was desiring, its a great place to bag a bargain and a few stocking fillers. From vintage sewing patterns, to posters, vinyls, and craft materials, these are sure to please someone you know.

Remember a Marie V vintage cushion can make a beautiful gift for someone special

Good Luck

Marie V

Blondie Vintage

The Blondie Vintage store is one of my favourite boutiques to visit when I'm sourcing new fabrics in London. It's very well know across the country and regularly updates it's stock so there is always lots of new vintage stock to delve into.

Located on the Commercial Road between Shoreditch, Brick Lace and Old Street, it is incredibly well positioned and I always seem to be 'in-the-area' making rather frequent trips to see what's new in store.

I will always take a look at shoes first. As you enter located on the back wall, there is quite literally a mountain to climb of shoes for women. And what I like in particular is they stock the smaller sizes. Readers will be shocked to learn that Marie V has really rather small feet, child size feet, which makes it a real struggle to source to shoes fit! But Blondie Vintage have a wonderful selection of shoes, broken in and wonderfully comfortable.

Just like Cinderella, I seep into one of their worn leather chairs and start trying on a multitude of shoe potentials.

Only then, after trying every shoe in sight, will I begin to focus on the task at hand; sourcing new fabrics. Blondie have a rather fantastic men's silk scarf section. These vary from silk to wool and always hold some unique gem, such as this 15^th century print which I felt was ideal for a draft excluder.

Blondie have buckets of women's scarves. I've seen the girls drag suitcases of scarves in and dump them at my feet leaving me to trawl through and pick out a select few. These buckets and suitcases hold a mass of fabric potentials and usually I struggle to reach the end, a bottomless pit of fabrics.

The Blondie boutique is rather large and has high windows allowing plenty of natural light. The cloth racks are so tall and full in vintage boutiques you always find the light oppressive, but here they offer plenty of light to truly see potential purchases.

Blondie are rich in jumpers, cardigans and 80's fluff balls to keep you warm through the winter. This is also another section to rummage through as I enjoy working with felted fabrics to use as backs or fronts of cushions, but beware of the bobbled jumpers as they are over whelmed with bobble victims.

Personally I find that Blondie lack a variety of printed dresses that are popular with vintage fashion enthusiasts and fashionistas alike. If this is what you are seeking I would head elsewhere.

However be sure to take a peek at their accessories section, distributed across the store there are some great finds. From old camera boxes transformed into ladies handbags to leather gloves, purses, jewellery, sunglasses and more! A real treasure trove of finds.

Aside from the men's silk scarf section I don't often wonder into the men's section. There is a wonderful selection of 70's printed shirts which caught my eye last time I was there and some great leather man-bags which I considered for Mr M. I've also seen some oddities, men's jumpsuits in brilliant neon colours which reminded me of some boy-band video and pimp fur coats for men...however I suggest that you rummage as this is the best way to shift through boy-band skeletons and find that one piece of gold.

Enjoy

Marie V