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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Foxtasia + Squirrelly Thoughts

September 30, 2023

It's the end of September and here I am, pondering life as usual. I found this watercolor doodle in my sketchbook, and it reminded me of how M used to jokingly call me "Foxtasia." He has all sorts of nicknames for me, and the cutest is probably "Honeybunny." He has a thing for animal references, as you can tell. I just read an alarming article about how easy it is to create picture books with AI. I am overwhelmed by how it’s not just picture books that AI can seamlessly generate, but anything ... Read more

Filed in: digital, illustration, illustration + art, watercolor • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Summer of Sewing + Destashival in full swing

August 31, 2023

Hello, hello! Whew, what a summer it's been. We've been traveling here and there, often in the form of short road trips. Senior year of high school starts for K in less than a week and I'm feeling that surge of energy that comes with September and the beginning of the academic year. I've been looking forward to this. It's been a great few months, though. As you can see, I've sewn a lot. In fact, that image above isn't everything. I stitched up a grand total of 22 items.  I lost ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, Teaching • by sanae • 4 Comments

Creativebug Cuteness!

July 31, 2023

The end of July is full of festivities in our family: birthdays, trips and reunions, and just an overall celebration of summer. As you read this, I’ll be in the Midwest on the tail end of exploring college campuses and connecting with extended family. Can you believe that K is a senior in high school!!?? We are relishing this summer before things heat up with academics and college applications. Anyhow, I’m just bopping in and scheduling this little post before I head out on my trip. July has ... Read more

Filed in: sewing • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Summer!

June 30, 2023

From my book SUMO COLORS - I was thinking of my parents when painting Mt. Fuji, which is in the Shizuoka prefecture where they live A while ago I had mentioned that if all goes well, I will be traveling to Japan this summer. Unfortunately, all has not gone well and the trip won’t be happening. The reasons are innumerable, and I won’t bore you with the details. I’m disappointed, but we’re tentatively looking into going during winter break. Has anyone traveled to Japan during the holiday season? ... Read more

Filed in: book, life, sewing • by sanae • 5 Comments

Shibori Book Giveaway! {CLOSED}

May 31, 2023

{The giveaway is now closed and the winner is Christina Derwee! Congrats!!} Is it just me, or is the year passing at an alarmingly swift rate? I'm deep in deadline mode behind-the-scenes and when I looked at the calendar today, I refused to believe that it was already the end of May. Anyway, last week I received a mysterious extra copy of this book, Easy Shibori Tye Dye Techniques by Studio TAC Creative, which I translated. I always get one advance copy for my translation work (the book ... Read more

Filed in: giveaway • by sanae •

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When my daughter was a baby, oh, nearly two decade When my daughter was a baby, oh, nearly two decades ago, I read roughly a zillion board books to her. My favorites were Lucy Cousins’ Maisy series, Taro Gomi’s and anything with food. It’s with not a little awe and delight that I am creating my own baby board books these days. I adore my sumo books (I especially love seeing them in libraries), and I’m giddy with anticipation for GOOD NIGHT, NINJAS. Eight more weeks till publication! Preorder link is in bio 😊📘🥷I keep dreaming that these sumo and ninja baby books will become well-thumbed and beloved storytime staples…if you’ve been in the trenches of reading to babes and toddlers, do you have a favorite board book?
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