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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Monday Outfit: Recital Dress

December 8, 2014

Good morning! We had such a jam-packed weekend, it's actually a relief to have the quiet of a weekday routine. What with a school ice skating event, K's first ever piano recital, a holiday cookie party (which was as drool-worthy as it sounds) and an impromptu sleepover at our house, I helter-skeltered all weekend. I also whipped up a recital dress because c'mon, how could I not? I received this velveteen fabric in a peachy-pink from my mom years ago, and until this past weekend, I wasn't ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for K • by sanae • 16 Comments

Happy Friday + Advent Randomness

December 5, 2014

Happy Friday! Even though I'm sharing it today, I did, in fact, finish this Advent Calendar in the nick of time on November 30th, much to my relief. Compared to the last couple of years, it's a more understated calendar, but I put a lot of thought into it. This year, I had some very specific rules for myself: 1. Construct the advent calendar out of what I already have on hand (the exception was the little gifts that are part of the calendar) 2. No candy or sweets 3. Include lots of ... Read more

Filed in: crafts, life • by sanae • 12 Comments

Sewing for Me: Bronte Top

December 3, 2014

I know I'm knocking your socks off with this dark grey top. With its sleek, chic silhouette in monochrome, I dare you to tell me that you're not overcome with the desire to spend an hour (or two) making one for yourself too. What's that? You saw something strikingly similar at H & M for $5 at the Black Friday sale? Point taken. You'll see, though, that on closer inspection, this top has so much going for it that blows fast fashion out of the water. The lapped shoulders up the ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 41 Comments

Monday Outfit: Hooded Knit Cardi + Sew Sweet Giveaway [CLOSED]

December 1, 2014

Good morning, friends! I thoroughly enjoyed the long weekend, and I'm feeling rejuvenated. We ended up at a Chinese restaurant on turkey day after all, and I believe this will have to be our annual tradition because it was so stress-free. I don't mind cooking, but the clean-up is a sore spot for me, so not having to while away time sudsing up dishes was a huge bonus. We also went to see the movie Big Hero 6, and it's an all-ages pleaser (and yes, I cried -- it was very touching)! To add spice to ... Read more

Filed in: giveaway, sewing, sewing for K • by sanae •

Happy Thanksgiving: Free Printable

November 26, 2014

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and despite my best efforts to ignore it, it seems that the holiday season is in full swing. I'm thankful for so many things, and you, my friends, are on the short list. As a small token of my appreciation, I have a holiday printable for you: Dala horses! I've always loved this Swedish holiday motif, and I doodled some up and thought they would make sweet tags/cards. Here's what the whole sheet looks like, printable on 8.5 x 11" paper: I still haven't mastered ... Read more

Filed in: download, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 12 Comments

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I’ve been swimming in nostalgia these past few day I’ve been swimming in nostalgia these past few days, wading through my blog and Pinterest board of the clothes I made for K, who is not so little anymore. what a wild, fun time that was! Remember the old school days of sewing blogs?? I’m back in deadline mode for a number of projects so sewing will have to be put on hold (though maybe I’ll get lucky and sneak in some stitching time). I’m also putting Instagram on hold for the summer, as I do every year. I’ll be back in September with some exciting updates! Have a lovely season, my friends! 💙💙💙💙💙💙
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