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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 10, 2017

Happy Friday! The other day K looked at me and said, "I don't know why, Mama, but I think your spirit animal is a donkey." At first, I was thrown off because Eeyore came immediately to mind. Later, I did a little research and I think I'm in love with donkeys. Did you know that contrary to common perception, donkeys are extremely intelligent? And that they're not easily startled and are super strong? They have a well-developed sense of self-preservation (which accounts for their stubbornness) ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 22 Comments

My next book! Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet

February 21, 2017

Hello, my friends! I know that updates here have been sporadic and unpredictable these days, but I have a pretty good reason. I've been deeply involved in book-making fun and my hours are spent dreaming up stories and images for the printed page. When I startle back into "real life", I'm amazed to realize that days and weeks have passed. I'm SUPER excited to share the next book in what is now the Little Kunoichi series!!!!!!! Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet is already available for preorder but ... Read more

Filed in: book, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 24 Comments

Happy Holidays + Freebie Printables

December 23, 2016

Happy Friday! I've been on a mini-wrapping-paper-making bender, my friends. Just in case you are a champion procrastinator like I am, I wanted to offer up these designs for any last minute packaging needs. You can print them up on regular 8.5 x 11" paper on your home printer, and voila! Instant wrapping paper for those tiny stocking stuffers. Feel free to download them below (click on image, and right-click to "save as" to your desktop before printing for best ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, illustration + art, watercolor • by sanae • 16 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!!

November 24, 2016

Hello! I'm wrapping up the week with this quick little post. I have much to be thankful for and as 2016 is coming to a close, I also have much to reflect upon. This has been what M and I are calling a "life-changing" year and I've had to relearn a lot of lessons...we're dealing with unexpected health issues in our family that I won't go into and it's been topsy turvy all around. Right now, at this very moment, however, we are all well. Thank YOU for continuing to visit my little space, as ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 18 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 7, 2016

M used to have this phrase he would toss out whenever he wanted me to do something that he could easily do himself but was feeling less than motivated to execute. "Would you be a peach?" he'd say. Usually it was followed by a request to get him a glass of water, or roll up the sleeves of his shirt, or you know, something mildly inconvenient for me. But he'd say it in this jokey cute way, and of course I would do it. Lately I feel like my days are an endless litany of these kinds of mildly ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 6 Comments

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So honored to see Sashiko’s Stitches included in So honored to see Sashiko’s Stitches included in Bank Street Children’s Book Committee’s 2025 Best Children’s Books of the Year list! It was also nominated by several bookshops and libraries for the Mock Caldecott Medal, which is so lovely! 😊😊💙💙💙💙🪡🪡🪡@bankstreetlibrary @bankstreetschoolforchildren @worthykidsbooks @hachetteus @adriagoetz
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