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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy Friday + Randomness

September 11, 2015

Happy Friday! Lately, I've been spending a few minutes every morning with my watercolors, painting whatever comes to mind. As a way to chronicle my daily paintbrush musings, I've been posting them on instagram, and it fills me with tiny bubbles of joy to have this little ritual (don't roll your eyes!). There's really no rhyme or reason to what I paint and I don't know how long I'll continue this. As I'm wont to do, I've been thinking a lot about this whole "follower" culture that's the norm ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 22 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

September 4, 2015

Happy Friday! There's been a lot of painting going on lately, and I'm also raring to dive into sewing -- five more days until K is back in school, and I will have gloriously large swaths of time to devote to personal projects. Can't wait!! I've been wading through my massive stash, trying not to get overcome by the vast number of choices. For now, I'm savoring the last moments of summer and am hosting a lot of playdates. ************** M and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, life, watercolor • by sanae • 8 Comments

I was gaining momentum…

April 15, 2015

...and then my custom illustration output had to be put on hold as I re-examined my to-do list. Which is a shame because I really, really enjoy working on them. Like this foxy guy. They're actually not entirely on hold, since I'm painting what I can here and there, but progress is slooooooooooooow. But mark my words, they will get done! I'm loving all the various requests so much, I've scanned them all with a vague notion of showcasing them together at some point. So many plans, so ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 14 Comments

Happy Easter + Randomness

April 3, 2015

Happy Friday! Do you have big Easter plans? Every year, we get together with our neighbors and have an epic egg hunt followed by brunch in our yard (weather permitting). We're all transplants and it's become a much-anticipated tradition. There are usually at least 10 kids running around, and it's a madhouse in the best possible way. I keep wondering when K will be too old for egg hunts...I've got my fingers crossed that we're still good for a couple more ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, life, watercolor • by sanae • 12 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 20, 2015

Happy Friday! I meant to have a sneak peek of my upcoming children's book today, but due to some unexpected snafus and technical problems on my part, I was foiled -- I'm hoping for better luck next week! I'm working on the custom illustrations from what is now an embarrassingly long time ago, and as my mother-in-law would say, the whole process is moving "slower than molasses in January." I just hope I'm still not apologizing this time next year! The horse above is one of the few I've been ... Read more

Filed in: life, watercolor • by sanae • 8 Comments

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The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing enthusiasts: zippers. Now that I have a few years of sewing under my belt I’m less cowed by them, but there’s something about long, separating zippers that still makes me nervous. I powered through, however, and made this versatile twill hooded jacket originating from a @patterncouture_ zip-up hoodie pattern meant for knit fabrics that I modified a lot. I blogged about it! Link in bio if you’d like to see the different versions I created. 

To skip zippers altogether and make a truly summery garment, swipe and check out my NEW @creativebug Tiered Dress class (link also in bio!). Back to sewing more hot weather stuff because I’m going to Japan for a special trip next week! 🇯🇵🇯🇵
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