• Home
  • shop
  • Illustration Portfolio
  • About
  • My Books

Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Homes in a row

July 10, 2013

An illustration I made according to K’s instructions. She wanted a row of houses/buildings all leading to a lake, and insisted upon an airplane in the air. I love a child’s mind, with the leaps of logic, the whimsical ideas.

I’m trying to paint and draw more – I’ve been sewing so much that I fear that I might be forgetting how to draw. Would you believe that in a week, this little blog will turn one? A whole year. I started it initially to create regular illustrations and general crafts, and sewing stealthily took over at some point. Not that I mind…it’s been wonderful. You’ve been wonderful. Thank you, my sweet friends, for stopping by here. I wanted this space to be a repository of thoughts and ideas and creations, but I didn’t expect to find such a community of loveliness. Your comments and emails brighten my days, and I’ve made real-life friendships from this online world. This blog, it’s a place that feels like home.

Anyway, just a wee illustration today. Summer activities beckon.

 

 

Filed in: gouache, illustration • by sanae • 18 Comments

Comments

  1. M

    July 10, 2013 at 6:30 am

    Thank you! Please teach us how to draw sometime:)

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      I would love to M! I firmly believe everyone can draw, and I saw that it was true in Japan when I went to elementary school there.

      Reply
  2. Cate

    July 10, 2013 at 6:39 am

    Happy blog birthday, and thanks for all the inspiration!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:36 pm

      Thank you, Cate! Hard to believe it’s been twelve months since I started yammering on…

      Reply
  3. Karen

    July 10, 2013 at 7:03 am

    I love that little painting. It so simple and naïve but universal. It makes me feel happy and calm. Just perfect for a child’s room. Or pillow. Or fabric for a top.

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      Oh, I love that it makes you feel happy and calm, Karen! And that’s a good idea about making it a fabric print!

      Reply
  4. Pienkel

    July 10, 2013 at 7:22 am

    Wow, your first blogiversary coming up! Then things have gone fast this year, you blog like you’ve been doing this forever. Not to mention sewing like a pro… Congrats!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:39 pm

      You know what they say about time flying and fun! This is, in fact, my second blog – I had a blog from 2005 to 2010 that sadly got lost in a server transfer, but I barely updated that one and rarely (meaning never) got comments. Thanks for the kind words, Pienkel!

      Reply
  5. Ute

    July 10, 2013 at 7:36 am

    Thank you for making your blog a place that I like to come visita so much, so full of beauty and your kind spirit!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      It’s always wonderful to see your comments pop up on my screen, Ute! Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Venus

    July 10, 2013 at 9:02 am

    Almost a year?! I always look forward to reading your blog and I love the fact that you share more than just your sewing adventures. From cooking to illustrating, you’re amazing!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:43 pm

      Crazy, right? I feel like I started this just a few weeks ago. It began as a kind of experiment to see if I could post every weekday, and I almost did it! Thanks always for your great sense of humor and lovely encouragements!

      Reply
  7. Lucinda

    July 10, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Venus says it well . . . your blog is so much more than sharing sewing and the reason I love it so! You have such a gift for drawing the reader in, and tell stories better than anyone I know (and have a great personal history of fun/interesting stories to draw from). Congrats on your almost-anniversary – blogland is a better place for you having joined it!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:45 pm

      Thank you so much, Lucinda!! You are one of my awesome anchors: steadying and grounding – always at the ready with a great comment. I appreciate you so much!

      Reply
  8. crab&bee

    July 10, 2013 at 11:58 am

    Your daughter has a wonderful imagination, and I like your interpretation. I’d love to see more of your illustrations! I’m in a similar situation – sewing has really taken over as my creative endeavor of choice – but I’ve been missing drawing a lot. Very inspiring!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 8:46 pm

      Thanks Morgan! I hope to get back into my drawing groove again – I have so many rambling stories in my mind that I want to write and illustrate! But sewing is also very creatively fulfilling, so I guess I can’t complain. Love all your creations!

      Reply
  9. Maria

    July 10, 2013 at 10:46 pm

    So beautiful and full of soul Sanae!. I love your illustrations! they are fantastic. I wish I knew your blog from before, Happy first year!!! has been so nice to read you. You are a very talented woman!

    Reply
    • sanae

      July 10, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      So kind, Maria! I’m enjoying your blog too! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply to M Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address below to get blog posts delivered to your in-box. I'll occasionally include fun digital goodies!

Order My New Book!!

Order My Latest Sewing Book!!

Archives

Categories

Coming soon!! Actually, many things are happening Coming soon!! Actually, many things are happening so you’ll probably see me around here more, but for now: this dress!! I designed this super comfy, very easy tiered summer number (with pockets, natch). I taught a class with @creativebug to show you how to draft and make one too. June 25th!! That’s when the class drops — so excited! I’ve made five so far and they’re hot weather staples. ☀️☀️☀️☀️ in the meantime, I hope you’ll check out all the amazing classes on @creativebug!
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Theme by Blog Pixie

© 2025 Sanae Ishida