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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Almost done with the testing phase…

February 28, 2020

Hello, my friends! How are you? It's a bright, blue-skied day here in Seattle as I write this. I have been running around town to make progress on the current book I'm working on, feeling more like a project manager than a writer/illustrator. The testing phase for the garment sewing book is coming to a close (if you signed up, remember that responses are due by February 29th if you haven't completed the form yet). It's been unreal. Amazing. I've been reading all the feedback that's been ... Read more

Filed in: book • by sanae • 6 Comments

Seeking pattern testers for my next book!

January 31, 2020

[UPDATE #2: All testing materials have been sent out! If you don’t see an email in your inbox, please check your promotions tab or junk folder. Let me know if you have any questions and I’m so excited to see all the feedback!] [UPDATE: I'm so astounded by the number of and grateful for all the people who signed up!! THANK YOU. I'll be sending confirmation emails soon! Sign-ups are now closed.] Hello, my friends! As you may or may not know, I've been tucked away in my atelier (read: my ... Read more

Filed in: book • by sanae • 17 Comments

Another Year of Magical Thinking

December 31, 2019

Hello, my friends! Here it is, my last post of the year, squeaking in at the very last minute. Overall, 2019 was a profound year for me. I changed a lot, accomplished so many goals. I failed and failed and failed, too. One of the biggest changes of all: I am no longer afraid of public speaking. In fact, I might even go as far to say that I enjoy it now. That's not to say that I'm any good at it, but I've stopped caring that I'm not. Just last month, I stood in front of two hundred elementary ... Read more

Filed in: e-book, life • by sanae • 10 Comments

2019 Advent Calendar + Even more holiday tags!

December 13, 2019

"I wonder when this Advent Calendar tradition will end?" As K grows older, this is the question that pops into my brain every time I embark on yet another design for the holiday season. She'll be starting high school next year and I don't know if she'll enjoy it quite as much. This was a fun one, my friends. The idea first came to me when I was -- as per usual -- shopping at Trader Joe's. I saw the garland with the felted balls ($8.99! What a steal!), and I immediately knew that it would be ... Read more

Filed in: download, watercolor • by sanae • 10 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving + Free downloadable holiday tags

November 28, 2019

Happy T-day to all my US friends!! Just a quick little hello today since I'm still working on K's Advent Calendar and tying up a few other fun projects. Today, K and I had a leisurely Thanksgiving brunch, strolled around Greenlake, and now we're getting ready to go out for our annual Taiwanese family dinner at this delicious restaurant. I have given up trying to be "normal" in any way, shape or form and love love love how stress-free our holidays have been these past few years. Also! I ... Read more

Filed in: download, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 3 Comments

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The holidays are upon us!! 🎄🎁 I’ve posted The holidays are upon us!! 🎄🎁 I’ve posted this year’s free printable holiday tags on my blog - link in bio! Can you believe I’ve been creating these printable tags for over 10 years?? This year I included outtake illustrations from my book SHIBUI so these tags and bookmarks could be used for gifts all year round. I also painted a few holiday-ish ones too! Enjoy, and have a lovely and celebratory season! I’m taking my usual winter social media break, and I’ll see you back here in 2026 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
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