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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Archives for November 2012

Counting Beads

November 7, 2012

The other day K and I went to a beads store, and this pretty stone caught my eye (on sale!). The brass Japanese seed beads seemed like a natural fit, and a few minutes later I had a necklace. I might have discovered a new hobby...   ... Read more

Filed in: crafts • by sanae • 3 Comments

Chai – Chai – Chai

November 6, 2012

I made some chai... The summer I turned twelve, my parents took me and my brothers to India and though it was so long ago, I still have visceral memories of Delhi: the energy, the overwhelming people, the infusion to the senses, the colors...but most of all I remember hazy mornings by the train station or walking along crowded streets with sonorous chants of "Chai, chai, chai" from seemingly every direction. I had quite a few of those little clay cups that were unceremoniously tossed to ... Read more

Filed in: cooking • by sanae • 2 Comments

Bouclé Coat Dress

November 5, 2012

Good morning - I hope you had a nice weekend! It was a typically grey-weathered one for us, but it was cozy and comforting. And I am creating garments to suit the weather... Slowly but surely, I am making every single pattern from this book. I can't recommend it highly enough! This time, I sewed up a coat dress. It's definitely vintage inspired, and I think it's rather stylish. I had this bluish-grey bouclé fabric from here, and thought it would be a good fit with the pattern. It ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 4 Comments

Happy Friday + Going Tribal: Ikat Dress + Faux Leather Collar

November 2, 2012

Happy Friday!! Due to horrible lighting all day and a model eager to go play with her friends after school, I was barely able to get these photos, but get them I did. This here is a wonderful ikat print cotton that I scored at least two years ago. I used the same pattern as this blouse I made a while ago and simply extended the skirt length. It's more of a beet red/reddish fuschia in color, and I love love love this print. The only weird thing about this fabric is that it stained my ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 3 Comments

Scrap Pillows

November 1, 2012

Trick-or-treating was a success last night despite the rain. Maybe it's all the social events that are part of October that's affecting our schedule, but it's been a trying couple of weeks  -- K can't seem to fall asleep before 11pm, which leads to much crotchetiness, whining and cajoling and all sorts of emotions. We have a very tired household... I am thinking of sleep and rest, and that makes me think of pillows. I made these pillows out of scrap fabric left over from K's clothes. Neutral, ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 3 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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