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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

My First Washi: a wearable muslin?

July 25, 2013

I did it. I've finally become the trillionth person to make a Washi Dress. And friends, I got the buffalo checks to match perfectly on the sides. You know how hard that is for me, and I feel like I need to celebrate. But wait, not too fast. I may have reigned victorious with print-matching for this dress, but I don't think the fit is spot on. Let me preface all this with the fact that Rae's directions are awesome. So clear, so helpful, so easy. The pattern pieces are ingeniously designed ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 37 Comments

Birthday Carrot Cake

July 24, 2013

It was an understated affair, M's birthday. He worked all day, and while he toiled, I made a carrot cake as requested. When he got home, we quietly lit the candles, sang a wildly off-key "Happy Birthday", and then M and I slipped out to dinner, leaving K in the able care of my mother. Like the celebration, it was an unassuming cake. It didn't rise much, and modestly turned golden in the oven, flecks of orange dotting it's surface. The recipe was from here, and is supposed to be a ... Read more

Filed in: cooking • by sanae • 8 Comments

July is full of birthday celebrations…

July 23, 2013

...but this is an extra special one. Today is M's birthday and this is the fourteenth one I've celebrated with him. Six years as boyfriend/girlfriend and eight years as husband/wife. And in exactly a week, K is seven! "You're the best birthday present I've ever gotten," he tells K often. M doesn't get a lot of exposure here, consumed as I am with sewing and other creative outlets in which he has little interest. But he is quietly supporting me in the background, cheering me on with this ... Read more

Filed in: life • by sanae • 11 Comments

Monday Outfit: Floral Summer Dresses

July 22, 2013

Good morning! Thank you for all the lovely comments and emails last week - we were all very touched and are holding dear the memories of M's grandmother. I think K is so lucky to have actually known her wonderful great-grandma. So today is Monday, and I almost didn't have anything to share. K and I seem to have come down with a mild bug so I didn't actually have a whole lot of energy for sewing this weekend, but I do have floral goodness that took minimal effort. I wanted to wrap up KCW ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 23 Comments

Remembrance

July 19, 2013

We received news that M's grandmother passed away. Hers was an incredibly long, full and beloved life -- for today, just a photo of K and her great-grandma in remembrance. I didn't feel right trying to come up with silly haikus and not paying tribute to someone so wonderful. M told K yesterday, "She was a very, very happy person. The happiest person I've ever known." What a beautiful way to be remembered. Wishing you all a weekend filled with loved ones. ... Read more

Filed in: life • by sanae • 16 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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