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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

correspondances estivales

July 15, 2014

Some months ago, Isabelle of Lathelize invited me to be part of an utterly charming annual project of hers. She calls it "correspondances estivales", which Google Translate mangled into "summer match". Basically, it's a handmade postcard exchange. Over an eight week period starting in early July, we are each assigned a different person for whom we create and mail out a postcard. The one you see above  I received from lovely Isabelle (a different Isabelle from the organizer, I've been informed, ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 10 Comments

Travel Essentials

July 9, 2014

I'm an overpacker. Always have been. When we went yurt camping last year, M derided me for insisting on bringing a rice cooker, but we totally used it, and I won't apologize for my over-preparedness. Of course, I managed to not pack blankets or pillows, but only because the yurt website said that bedding was included (they were not. We had to make a jaunt to Walmart in the middle of our yurt trip so we wouldn't freeze our buns off - glamping was never less glamorous). We're heading out to the ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration • by sanae • 31 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

July 4, 2014

Happy Fourth of July! We're celebrating with our neighbors as is our annual tradition and I can't wait to watch the fireworks. The city closes down certain streets in our neighborhood for fireworks-viewing and throngs of people spread blankets on the road and settle in to watch the sky show held above the lake. That exciting, mildly illicit feeling of getting away with something courses through us when we sit smack dab in the middle of the ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, life, watercolor • by sanae • 4 Comments

Sewing Plans for K

July 2, 2014

Now that both K's and my wardrobes are entirely DIY'd (incidentally, am I the only one who has trouble saying DIY aloud? I always want to pronounce it "Dee-Ee-Why"), I find myself sketching a lot of potential sewing projects. I deviate from my plans more often than not, especially with K's stuff, but it's helpful to consider the holes in her wardrobe so that I'm not spending time on yet another linen dress that will never see the light of day. What she needs are shorts, and lots of them. All ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, sewing • by sanae • 12 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

June 20, 2014

Happy Friday! Today is the first day of summer vacation, and I thought this illustration I painted evoked that sense of anticipation. I can't believe it -- second grade is done! ********************************************* K: "You know what my gift is, Mommy?" Me: "What?" K: "I can sense guilt - I can always tell when you're lying." Me: "Me?? I never lie!" K: "Oh yes you do...your eyes twinkle when you're lying and your face looks puffy when you feel guilty." ++++ K: "Mama, you ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, life, watercolor • by sanae • 4 Comments

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Happy almost Valentine’s Day! I designed some pr Happy almost Valentine’s Day! I designed some printables for @creativebug that are free for members. I love these little foldable cards and boxes that are fun for non-V-Day occasions too!
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