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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 23, 2015

Happy Friday! Do you like K's instructions for this year's Halloween costume? "Tight" seems to be the overriding theme...She's been into this show called Mighty Med, which is about a hospital for superheroes. As a result, there's been a significant uptick in the obsession level of all things superhero-related (Marvel comic books are permanently piled next to the kitchen table). I'm a little stumped when it comes to what she wants attached to the velcro strips on the utility belt, but it seems ... Read more

Filed in: life • by sanae • 6 Comments

Madame Frump No More

October 21, 2015

When I was a young lass toiling over catalog page layouts amid the design-y and stylish citizens of Williams-Sonoma / Pottery Barn HQ, I used to spend a lot of time and effort on my appearance because everyone around me sashayed about in beautiful attire. One of my good friends and co-workers -- he of the vintage couture connoisseurship and wearer of thrifted Ferragamo loafers -- would appraise my daily outfits and give me a thumbs up or down. We had the sort of honest and hilarious relationship ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, life, watercolor • by sanae • 24 Comments

Giveaway: Cute Fall Fabrics! [CLOSED]

October 19, 2015

Good morning! So. The first order of business now that the book is 99% done (at least in my mind) is absolutely critical: cleaning. I am, by nature, a neat and tidy person, but for the last few months I've really let the house go to pot. It's ugly, folks. The disarray has been steadily driving me crazy and probably had some impact on my productivity, but I tried my very best to choose taking care of my health via food and exercise and spending time with people over laundry or vacuuming when I ... Read more

Filed in: giveaway • by sanae •

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 16, 2015

Happy Friday! Above are my poor, poor neglected serger (left) and sewing machine (right). Did you know that you can use a regular old sewing machine cover for your serger too? The pear print is what could be considered a vintage Kokka linen/cotton blend -- I made that cover for my very first Singer sewing machine back in 2007 or so. I adore that fabric. The cover on the right was a potential book project (it has multiple pockets), but it didn't make the cut. Good news: final illustrations for ... Read more

Filed in: life, sewing • by sanae • 6 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

October 9, 2015

I did not make my deadline. This was a colossal bummer since I'd told everyone and their pets that I would be officially fini with all book brouhaha by October 5th (even the barista at my regular coffee shop haunt greeted me with a high five on The Day). I was technically done -- of course, I'm using the words "technically done" very loosely here -- on Monday, but then I kept finding mistake after mistake. It killed me, but I asked for an extension. Again. I used to pride myself on keeping my ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, life • by sanae • 36 Comments

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones! I’m spending time with family in the Midwest and there is much to be grateful for, not the least of which is the slower pace this week. Sending big hugs to you! 🧡🧡🧡🧡 Incidentally, this ikebana floral arrangement is one of the illustrations that didn’t make it into my book SHIBUI — I painted a lot of extra illos!

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