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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Pumpkin Muffins + Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

November 20, 2012

I have rarely had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner... Growing up, my mom made sushi for T-day, though as I grew into my teens, big turkeys started to appear next to the sashimi. And for the last couple of years, due to work or lack of motivation, we went out for Chinese food. I know. Sacrilege. This year though, I'm cooking. It'll just be the three of us because we avoid travel during Thanksgiving week (we had a harrowing travel experience five years ago and vowed never to subject ... Read more

Filed in: cooking • by sanae • 2 Comments

Cloud Pillows

November 19, 2012

It started with this. Several years ago, I wanted to try fabric paint to make my own design. I took some grey linen and white fabric paint and voila, I had little rain drops because when you live in the Pacific Northwest, you are always thinking about rain. And then I made this little number... But it turned out that K did not like grey at the age of three (how can she be my daughter??). She has strong opinions, that one. She only wore it once. And it sat in the deepest, darkest ... Read more

Filed in: crafts, sewing • by sanae • 7 Comments

Happy Friday + Shades of Caramel and Creme: shirt dress/camisole dress

November 16, 2012

Happy Friday! I feel this way with every Friday post, but I am enamored with this outfit and desperately want one in my size. Though I sewed at a snail-like pace and kept making mistakes, I was able to complete the two dresses and am loving them. A light caramel-colored shirt dress over a silvery-beige-camisole dress, accented with creme. Très chic, no? She's holding these in her hands (left over from Halloween, and now I'm realizing that next to actual caramels, the dress is more ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • 7 Comments

Flu + Seasons

November 15, 2012

Thank you for all the well wishes - it seems that this is one of those tenacious flu-type illnesses that is determined to stick around. I am doing everything slowly this week and am not getting a whole lot done...but I am getting better and while I sip more tea and try to recover, I am mining old works and leave you with one of my illustration series, "Seasons" (done entirely digitally with lots of origami paper overlays). Summer, with the penguins, is my favorite. ... Read more

Filed in: digital, illustration • by sanae • 4 Comments

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

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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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