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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Archives for November 2012

a hideout of her own…

November 14, 2012

Just a quick note today - I am still sick. Very soon, when I feel normal again, I'm making K a little tee pee/hideout. I hope I can get it done before Christmas. I'm inspired by these above and want one for myself. I especially love the very plain white one with the sheepskin (of course). Who doesn't love a nifty enclosure where you can gather all your petite treasures and prized books for a super secret siesta? [1] [2] [3] [4] ... Read more

Filed in: crafts • by sanae • 4 Comments

Dolls

November 13, 2012

I am still very much under the weather, but am pushing through and making active plans for a handmade holiday season. I have a couple of advent calendar ideas in the works, and I'm drawing up a list of things to make for Christmas. As I sniffled and contemplated, I remembered that I used to make dolls. See her above? Her name is Colette. Here's a close-up: I created her about four years ago, and she was my first foray into doll-making. I didn't use a pattern or anything and just winged ... Read more

Filed in: crafts, sewing • by sanae • 3 Comments

Mini Biscotti with Chocolate Bits and Marcona Almonds

November 12, 2012

Happy Veteran's Day! I have been sick all weekend, but am slowly recovering. K has the day off today, so I wanted to share these darling little treats before we head out the door for the aquarium. I have Mark Bittman's original How to Cook Everything, and used the basic biscotti recipe, then threw in 1/2 a cup of chopped marcona almonds and 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips (left over from this). The online version of the recipe is a little different from the book in that it omits the step ... Read more

Filed in: cooking • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Happy Friday + Hooded Capelet + Grey Almost Skinnies

November 9, 2012

Happy Friday! First, the hooded capelet. Guess which book the pattern is from? My fave, of course. I have miles and miles of this wool plaid fabric and will probably make a jacket with this as well. I actually modified bits of this pattern. Instead of snaps, I used buttons because buttons are always cuter. I also did away with the tab at the neck. I made it, but it looked odd to me so off it went. Did you know that these capelets/ponchos are all the rage in the first grade right now? Alright, ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 4 Comments

Advent Calendar Roundup

November 8, 2012

Around this time last year, I was puttering around a fabric store making plans for the holidays when I got a phone call from one of my clients. While I stood surrounded by mid-weight cotton, my very very part-time job suddenly transformed into a very very full-time job. Sadly, I had no idea how to balance 80-hour work weeks with family commitments and we had the most neglected holiday season ever...thankfully the job ended after 6 months. Now that I have returned to a somewhat more balanced ... Read more

Filed in: crafts, illustration • by sanae • Leave a Comment

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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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