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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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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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