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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy

August 15, 2012

Happy

I was listening to Design Sponge's Grace Bonney talk about work/life balance today and thought there were some important things to reflect upon. I was intrigued by the glimpse I got into the professional blogging world from her perspective. The movie Happy is still my favorite in this general genre, but I liked her podcast a lot. What makes you happy? What are your goals in life? Do you have a network of supporters? If not, how do you find them? Questions to ponder... ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, life, watercolor • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Fall is just around the corner: clothing challenge

August 10, 2012

Fall Kitty

We've been having such a fun summer, and as I look out the window and see the sun-dappled, lush and green trees, it's hard to believe that autumn will be here in no time. K is equipped with a new backpack already and we'll need to go shoe shopping in a week or so. And then there is the ritual of Fall clothes shopping -- oh, how I love little girl clothes! However, this year I'm doing something rather ambitious and kind of crazy: I am going to make all her clothes for the next 12 months. ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, watercolor • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Cuteness

August 9, 2012

Cuteness

As a mother, I am completely biased and think my child is the most beautiful creature in the world. But once in a while, I will see a breathtakingly gorgeous or enviously stylish little one that makes me do a double-take. My drawing doesn't do the girl justice, but trust me, she looked like she had stepped out of an ad and I'm certain her mother is a stylist. That hair! The rompers!! Love it. ... Read more

Filed in: digital, illustration • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Making do

August 7, 2012

floral caped hero and me

There is a photo of me and my brother in a photo album that is tucked into one of my mother's overstuffed closets. It is yellowed with age by now, tinted like an instagram. I am probably four or five; my brother a year younger. In the picture, we are both sporting identical rice bowl bangs, and I am wearing a handmade powder blue polyester coat with shiny white buttons. My white tights are slightly too big and rumpled around my ankles. My brother -- without a shred of self-consciousness -- ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, life • by sanae • 1 Comment

Storybook Watercolors

August 6, 2012

*Alice in Wonderland* watercolor on board, 5"x5"   *Tsuruhime* watercolor on board, 5"x5"   *Red Riding Hood* watercolor on board, 5"x5"   I created these little paintings for an art show, but was weirdly attached to them and didn't want to sell 'em. They combine my love of all things tiny with the concept of paper dolls. ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 1 Comment

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I just realized that this week marks 10 years sinc I just realized that this week marks 10 years since my first craft book Sewing Happiness was published. I’ve sewn literally thousands of garments and other textile projects in the last decade! I included a Sashiko primer in the book, and I’m delighted that this humble Japanese embroidery practice has stood the test of time - if anything, I’ve noticed that there’s an ever growing enthusiasm for hand stitching. Fun news: I’ll be teaching a virtual Sashiko workshop for @tatterbluelibrary on Thursday, April 30th at noon ET. Link in profile! Would love to see you there! 💙💙💙💙💙
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