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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

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January 31, 2023

Hello, hello! January has been a full month. I'm working on my next book and a scad of other exciting projects, I've been dealing with health issues (luckily I'm getting better), and I'm reorganizing/streamlining so many areas of my life. I lift the curtain and share the details of these types of things with my lovely Patreon group, and I like to mention bits and bobs here on the old blog too. The online world has much to say about how this is around the time that New Year's resolutions ... Read more

Filed in: life, sewing • by sanae • Leave a Comment

2022 Free Printable Holiday Tags and Mini Gift Wraps

December 16, 2022

Can December 16th still be considered early December? No. It cannot. I erroneously believed and declared that I would have these holiday printables for you many, many days ago, but here we are. Let's not dwell on excuses or explanations, though. If you need last minute tags and mini gift wrapping paper (ideal for tiny presents -- jewelry, perhaps?), I got you. I've designed some fun ones, which I hope will come in handy. Lately I've been really, really, really loving the Procreate app and ... Read more

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

2022 Advent Calendar

November 30, 2022

Happy end of November! Did you have a gratitude-filled holiday weekend? Mine was good and hearty and on the quiet side. It’s my personal tradition to work on K’s advent calendar around this time of year, and I’m almost done. Because I know that K has zero interest in my blog, it’s safe to share some images here.  As per usual, I wanted to use what I have on hand. Remember my Swedish tracing paper flower advent calendar? This one is a similar concept, though far less complicated. I am in ... Read more

Filed in: Uncategorized • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Wait, is it already Halloween?

October 31, 2022

October. Oh, how this month felt like it was kidnapped by pirates, torn asunder and swept away into roiling, thundercloud-studded seas. Okay, that's a bit dramatic. Basically, I have no idea where the time went. And these pirates that I drew and made into a repeat pattern seem awfully adorable and incapable of any kidnapping. Year after year, October continues to be the busiest month full of deadlines for me. How's your October been? I'm currently smack in the middle of preparing for the ... Read more

Filed in: illustration, illustration + art, surface design • by sanae • Leave a Comment

Sumo Colors + Sumo Shapes!

September 30, 2022

Banzai, banzai!! More darling sumos in the house — or in sumo parlance: more sumos in the heya! “Heya” or “beya” means “room” in Japanese and also refers to the sumo stable, which is sort of like a team. SUMO COLORS and SUMO SHAPES have officially flown from the printer’s coop and are flapping about in the world. I am deeply, deeply in love with these books (okay, I say that about every one of my books, but it’s always true). I’m thrilled that School Library Journal gave the latest ... Read more

Filed in: book • by sanae • Leave a Comment

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The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing The word that incites terror in most newbie sewing enthusiasts: zippers. Now that I have a few years of sewing under my belt I’m less cowed by them, but there’s something about long, separating zippers that still makes me nervous. I powered through, however, and made this versatile twill hooded jacket originating from a @patterncouture_ zip-up hoodie pattern meant for knit fabrics that I modified a lot. I blogged about it! Link in bio if you’d like to see the different versions I created. 

To skip zippers altogether and make a truly summery garment, swipe and check out my NEW @creativebug Tiered Dress class (link also in bio!). Back to sewing more hot weather stuff because I’m going to Japan for a special trip next week! 🇯🇵🇯🇵
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