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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Summer Fun with Ba-Chan

August 5, 2015

My mom returned to Los Angeles yesterday. For 16 days, she cooked us delectables (sushi! Soy sauce mochi balls that K loves! Seafood pasta!) and spent large quantities of time with K while I labored away to meet deadlines. I wouldn't have survived and most likely wouldn't have met my deadlines without my Mama. I took these shots while on the ferry to and from Bainbridge Island. On Sunday morning, I decided that I had ignored my family for too long, and thought it might be enjoyable to ... Read more

Filed in: life • by sanae • 14 Comments

Glitter and Sparkle

August 3, 2015

Good morning! I have a well-oiled and thrumming sweatshop raging in my "atelier" (aka bedroom), but it's all been book-related so I've not sewn much for K. And when my mom brought her a suitcase full of animal print clothing and all that sparkles and glitters...well, my sewing motivation for K faded a little more. But isn't that image above pretty spectacular? Not my usual simple and light vibe, but I love the dramatic effect. The light is reflecting off of an extremely bling-y sequined dress ... Read more

Filed in: life • by sanae • 8 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

July 17, 2015

Happy Friday! So, yesterday marked the third year of this little virtual notebook/sketchbook of mine. Three years that whisked right on by, full of surreal and life-altering changes, the whole nine yards. My thoughts are still very much aligned with what I pondered for my second "blogiversary" here (why, oh why are there so many unpalatable words associated with blogs, including the word "blog"??) I've decided to do something different and will take two weeks off from here. My mom is coming ... Read more

Filed in: gouache, illustration, life • by sanae • 14 Comments

The Great Pattern Hack

July 14, 2015

It's my turn to chatter on about the lovely collaboration with Melissa of A Happy Stitch and Michael Miller Fabrics (via Kait of Making it Fun): The Great Pattern Hack! My pattern hacking skills are still pretty basic, so I didn't get all fancy or wild on you, but I had lots and lots of fun modifying the Southport Dress into two garments. First up, the strappy-backed tank: I selected the Indigo Midnight Cotton Couture, which has a drapey hand and feels like an ever so slightly ... Read more

Filed in: sewing, sewing for me • by sanae • 36 Comments

Happy Friday + Randomness

July 10, 2015

Happy Friday! How awesome is that shot of K up there that's on our fridge? She partook in an all-girls skateboard camp last week and loved it so much, she wants me to sign her up for another camp session. I would have never guessed that this would be the sport of choice for my girl (my heart may not be able to handle it -- she can now "drop-in" from the highest ramp and I have my eyes partially covered as I watch her glide down smoothly then do a "kick-turn"). "Mama," she tells me, "I think I ... Read more

Filed in: life • by sanae • 14 Comments

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I’ve been swimming in nostalgia these past few day I’ve been swimming in nostalgia these past few days, wading through my blog and Pinterest board of the clothes I made for K, who is not so little anymore. what a wild, fun time that was! Remember the old school days of sewing blogs?? I’m back in deadline mode for a number of projects so sewing will have to be put on hold (though maybe I’ll get lucky and sneak in some stitching time). I’m also putting Instagram on hold for the summer, as I do every year. I’ll be back in September with some exciting updates! Have a lovely season, my friends! 💙💙💙💙💙💙
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