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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Sewing for Me: Reddish Knit Dress

August 1, 2013

First, a little history. About 10 years ago, a good friend of mine invited me to her wedding, so M and I flew from Seattle to New York for the festivities. The ceremony and reception were both held at a swanky country club in Long Island, and I oohed and aahed at how my friend infused her Indian heritage into the whole event. She was gorgeous in a gold and green sari, and the groom (who was not Indian) looked striking in his kurta-inspired top. For the wedding cake moment, caterers wheeled in at ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 27 Comments

Giveaway! Green Hues + Fabrics A to Z [CLOSED]

July 31, 2013

I'm still trying to recover from the onslaught of excess at the American Girl store yesterday. It was the birthday girl's sole wish to be able to fully experience the American Girl world, complete with a lunch (with her newly acquired doll - a gift from both sets of grandparents), so my mom and I took her and her best friend to the massive store for the day. I may talk about it some more later, but I need to go cut out some coupons or something to alleviate the guilt I'm feeling from such ... Read more

Filed in: giveaway • by sanae •

Seven

July 30, 2013

Seven? Wasn't it yesterday that I watched your gigantic eyes widen in fear and excitement at the start of kindergarten? Or just last week that you learned how to walk without me holding your hands, without me hunched over as you toddled so precariously? Surely, it can't be eighty-four months since you became a real, breathing, human in my arms? Seven. You seem at once so fragile and brazen. I see glimpses of the teenager you will become, but you still smell faintly of that powdery sweet ... Read more

Filed in: life, writing • by sanae • 21 Comments

Monday Outfit: Birthday Dress

July 29, 2013

K and I had a little conversation this weekend: Me: What kind of birthday dress do you want, honey? K: White. Me: Okay, what else? K: Balloons. Yeah, balloons all over, with a hot air balloon right on the chest, and with big letters that spell out "Happy Birthday". Make sure to use lots of colors, Mommy. Friends, I couldn't do it. My inner minimalist took over, and I struggled to bring myself to stencil her design onto this decidedly bridal-looking, but beautifully simple ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 37 Comments

Happy Friday + Guest Post for Compagnie M

July 26, 2013

Happy Friday, friends! Today, I'm guest posting over at Compagnie M, so hop on over to see the details of this here creation which was inspired by the illustration on the left. The illustration is by Caitlin McGauley, who is insanely talented and one of my all-time favorite illustrators/designers. She painted the Emerson Fry leopard coat, which happens to also be a drool-worthy and favorite clothing designer of mine (though I have yet to own anything from their line), so you can imagine how much ... Read more

Filed in: guest post, sewing • by sanae • 20 Comments

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So so thrilled that my book SHIBUI: THE JAPANESE A So so thrilled that my book SHIBUI: THE JAPANESE ART OF FINDING BEAUTY IN AGING is now available in Dutch and German! And it’s currently getting translated into several more languages - surreal! Please share with all your Dutch- and German-reading friends 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 #shibuibook
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