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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

2015 RECAP: Sewing for K

December 28, 2015

Good morning! I hope you all had a restful and celebratory Christmas, and perhaps you too are now looking back upon all the happenings of 2015. It's been a big year for me: one book launched, another completed. I inadvertently started something that could be considered a side business. My little family of three had highs and lows, but the good times outweighed the bad. I hadn't been quite prepared for the emotional turbulence that was part of this year, but in hindsight it stretched and pulled ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, ink, sewing, sewing for K, watercolor • by sanae • 12 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

August 2, 2013

Happy Friday! The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of celebrations and there's still one last hurrah this weekend. After the American Girl bonanza, I'm determined to not go overboard with K's party this weekend. M and I will be entertaining about 10 kids and I'm shooting for an ultra casual gathering. Of course, I'm already making elaborate DIY plans for a magnetic "Pin the button on the Dress" game, so I might already be shifting over to the dark side of overdoing things...Oh, and I ... Read more

Filed in: digital, illustration, ink, life • by sanae • 10 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 15, 2013

  Happy Friday! Every day, K makes me laugh. I can't possibly record every single utterance, but these were my faves this week: K: I'm so into bugs right now. Me: Oh yeah? K: Yeah, I love books with pictures of bugs with information and all that stuff. Chapter books are so last season ago. ******************************************************************************** K: Mommy, I really want an asteroid. A fluffy one shaped like a ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, ink, watercolor • by sanae • 4 Comments

Cloudy

September 26, 2012

I think I will always love drawing with black pen the best. I've been feeling a little cloudy lately...not sure why. But after finishing this little sketch, my mood lifted significantly. Sometimes, a bunch of stylized rainy clouds is all it takes. ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, ink • by sanae • 2 Comments

Pattern Play

September 13, 2012

A little late to the game, perhaps, but I've been hooked on Downton Abbey these days. I'm still working my way through Season 1, and while I watch, I've been doodling some patterns. I'm currently working on a pink (of course) colorway with lace patterns as Mary tries to decide whether to marry Matthew...intrigue!   ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, ink • by sanae • 2 Comments

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones! I’m spending time with family in the Midwest and there is much to be grateful for, not the least of which is the slower pace this week. Sending big hugs to you! 🧡🧡🧡🧡 Incidentally, this ikebana floral arrangement is one of the illustrations that didn’t make it into my book SHIBUI — I painted a lot of extra illos!

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