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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy Friday + Hallelujah!

June 2, 2017

Happy Friday, my friends! I did it! I did it! I completed my rough art for the next book that's coming out in 2018. Normally, I create digital rough art using only Photoshop brushes like these and these, but I wanted to try a little something different. For this next book's rough art, I used only black watercolor and I enjoyed it so much! It's a different kind of challenge to paint with a single color to create various shades. Surprisingly, it took less time to hand paint than it does to do ... Read more

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

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 31, 2017

  Happy Friday! A while ago, I created a coloring book for K's school event and this was one of the pages of the book, inspired by the Seattle Japanese Garden. I've got all things Japanese on my mind because we are spending a couple of weeks in the land of the rising sun this summer. Super super super super excited!! My predominant thought is: I have to make clothes! My wardrobe has been whittled down to nothing these days and the situation is quite alarming. I love planning ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration • by sanae • 7 Comments

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

Stay Curious

June 20, 2016

A little behind the scenes of one of the projects I worked on over the weekend. A dear friend of mine commissioned me for an illustration to give to her colleague, and I loved trying out different lettering styles. The colleague's catchphrase is "stay curious," which is a brilliant one. I have two more illustrations, another quick translation assignment (this time I'm learning all about the art of sushi plating and presentation -- so, so cool), and a craft tutorial all due pronto so I am ... Read more

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

Happy Friday + Randomness

February 19, 2016

Happy Friday! We're into the third week without a car, and I have to admit that my legs are pretty sore. Still, I'm loving all the exercise we're getting and although everything takes longer and requires more planning without a car, it also forces us to slow down and live moment by moment. I'm stopping to smell the roses and flowers, if you will. That's a quick watercolor sketch I made a while back. I really really like it. You might be able to see a small water splotch on one of the leaves, ... Read more

Filed in: black and white, illustration, life • 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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