{"id":18261,"date":"2023-06-30T05:00:23","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T12:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/?p=18261"},"modified":"2023-07-01T19:11:56","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T02:11:56","slug":"summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/?p=18261","title":{"rendered":"Summer!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"From my book SUMO COLORS<\/strong><\/a> – I was thinking of my parents when painting Mt. Fuji, which is in the Shizuoka prefecture where they live<\/em><\/p>\n

A while ago I had mentioned that if all goes well, I will be traveling to Japan this summer. Unfortunately, all has not<\/i> gone well and the trip won\u2019t be happening. The reasons are innumerable, and I won\u2019t bore you with the details. I\u2019m disappointed, but we\u2019re tentatively looking into going during winter break. Has anyone traveled to Japan during the holiday season? Will it be too cold for a wimpy west coaster like me? My parents live in a village at the tippy top of a mountain in Shizuoka (not on Mount Fuji) and the single lane road sounds like it might be icy and treacherous in December. Sigh\u2026we\u2019ll figure something out.<\/p>\n

I have a summer ahead of me with virtually no deadlines. I worked diligently during spring and I can see the finish line for my next book (out in April of 2024!). Any changes to the book should be minimal at this point. Plus, I submitted all the preparations required for Creativebug<\/a><\/strong> for the time being (I\u2019ll have some fun updates on that front next month! If you want to try out Creativebug for 2 free months and get 50% off for life, click here<\/strong><\/a>). Furthermore, I\u2019m in limbo for some other projects and don\u2019t have to think about them until the fall.<\/p>\n

It feels weird.<\/p>\n

But also marvelous. I\u2019ve been intentional about creating a lighter workload for summers and winters and even though it\u2019s difficult, I decline a lot of opportunities to avoid over-scheduling myself. I\u2019m plagued by FOMO, but it\u2019s worth it because I feel like I\u2019m taking care of my future self. Slowly, slowly and with much experimentation (and mistakes) over the years, I\u2019ve managed to structure my deadlines in a way that feels sane. I have only one more year left with K before she goes off to college and I\u2019m making the most of it. I don\u2019t want to look back and lament that I was too busy to spend time with my beloveds.<\/p>\n

With all this extra time, in addition to bonding with K, I plan on reading copiously. Book recommendations would be much appreciated! I\u2019m an omnivorous reader and no genre is off-limits. I do tend to gravitate toward books described as \u201cbig-hearted\u201d and \u201ccharming,\u201d but I can get down with the grittiest of murder mysteries, the cringiest of self-help, the densest of sci-fi\/fantasy tomes, the loftiest of literary fiction. Even kids\u2019 books, graphic novels and mangas are fair game; we\u2019re huge fans of Spy x Family<\/strong><\/a> in this household. Do tell if you\u2019ve read a book that captivated you.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve also decided that this is the summer when I finally make a significant dent in my fabric stash. I called it \u201cDestashival<\/strong><\/a>\u201d back in 2019 and I\u2019m going to make good on it, my friends. Things went a little off-the-rails during COVID and two sewing books (Animal Friends to Sew and Sewing Love) turned out to be insufficient in terms of reducing the mountainous textiles that I own. In fact, I went a little crazy and added<\/i> to the fabric supply as I progressed on the books\u2026no bueno. Muy no bueno. Let\u2019s not harp on past transgressions, however, and here are some sketches of things I\u2019d like to stitch up:<\/p>\n

\"\"I’m going to self-draft all of these:<\/em><\/p>\n

– I sewed a jumpsuit<\/a> a couple of years ago and though it’s somewhat see-through and wonky, I love it. In warmer months, I wear it all the time and want to fine-tune my pattern<\/em><\/p>\n

– I really, really want a flirty, twirly summer dress with thin straps<\/em><\/p>\n

– I adore hoodies and thought, why not make one in linen? After all, so much of what I wear is made from linen<\/em><\/p>\n

– All of my wide-legged pants are tired-looking these days, so I need to replace them<\/em><\/p>\n

– I’ve been resorting to wearing M’s t-shirts as nightwear, but want cute PJs with a matching top and bottom<\/em><\/p>\n

– I’m going to focus on interesting details for tank tops<\/em><\/p>\n

– Protecting my skin is a must! I wear hats every day and though I liked the Lotta Jansdotter ones I made<\/a>, I’m going to tweak the pattern more.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ever since I started sewing, my goal has been to be able to sew anything<\/i>. I\u2019m fairly confident that I can make most things, but there are still a giant number of techniques and things I haven\u2019t tried or have only attempted once or twice. Maybe I\u2019ll give zero-waste sewing a shot \u2014 is zero waste sewing even possible? <\/span><\/p>\n

You know, there\u2019s a side benefit to developing this skill: should the apocalypse that my prepper husband has been predicting ever come to pass, I\u2019ll be ready. Sewing can come in handy in so many ways when the world is melting down, don\u2019t you think? In a pinch I could whip up a backpack for survival items or a tent or some other apocalypse-friendly paraphernalia. Of course, there\u2019s the conundrum of how I would lug my sewing machine and supplies if we have to scamper through the wilderness to escape zombies or what-have-you. I suppose I\u2019ll have to whittle a needle out of wood and use my hair or vines to stitch\u2026leaves?<\/p>\n

Anyway.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m continuing to practice digital painting. Check out the flowers below \u2014 pretty much indistinguishable, right? Digital painting tools have come a long way since the first Photoshop brushes I sampled over 10 years ago. Procreate, in particular, is incredible and I\u2019m having so much fun trying a myriad of brushes and making my own! Love, love, love.<\/p>\n

\"\"Basically, I\u2019m doing all the things I normally do, but for pure FUN. Summer is for play, and play I will! <\/span><\/p>\n

Until next month take good care, my friends!<\/p>\n

P.S. Happy Fourth of July to those in the U.S.!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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\u2019t be happening. The reasons are innumerable, and I won\u2019t bore you with the details. I\u2019m disappointed, but we\u2019re tentatively looking into going during winter break. Has anyone traveled to Japan during the holiday season? Will it be too cold for a wimpy west coaster like me? My parents live in a village at the tippy top of a mountain in Shizuoka (not on Mount Fuji) and the single lane road sounds like it might be icy and treacherous in December. Sigh\u2026we\u2019ll figure something out. I have a summer ahead of me with virtually no deadlines. I worked diligently during spring and I can see the finish line for my next book (out in April of 2024!). Any changes to the book should be minimal at this point. Plus, I submitted all the preparations required for Creativebug for the time being (I\u2019ll have some fun updates on that front next month! If you want to try out Creativebug for 2 free months and get 50% off for life, click here). Furthermore, I\u2019m in limbo for some other projects and don\u2019t have to think about them until the fall. It feels weird. But also marvelous. I\u2019ve been intentional about creating a lighter workload for summers and winters and even though it\u2019s difficult, I decline a lot of opportunities to avoid over-scheduling myself. I\u2019m plagued by FOMO, but it\u2019s worth it because I feel like I\u2019m taking care of my future self. Slowly, slowly and with much experimentation (and mistakes) over the years, I\u2019ve managed to structure my deadlines in a way that feels sane. I have only one more year left with K before she goes off to college and I\u2019m making the most of it. I don\u2019t want to look back and lament that I was too busy to spend time with my beloveds. With all this extra time, in addition to bonding with K, I plan on reading copiously. Book recommendations would be much appreciated! I\u2019m an omnivorous reader and no genre is off-limits. I do tend to gravitate toward books described as \u201cbig-hearted\u201d and \u201ccharming,\u201d but I can get down with the grittiest of murder mysteries, the cringiest of self-help, the densest of sci-fi\/fantasy tomes, the loftiest of literary fiction. Even kids\u2019 books, graphic novels and mangas are fair game; we\u2019re huge fans of Spy x Family in this household. Do tell if you\u2019ve read a book that captivated you. I\u2019ve also decided that this is the summer when I finally make a significant dent in my fabric stash. I called it \u201cDestashival\u201d back in 2019 and I\u2019m going to make good on it, my friends. Things went a little off-the-rails during COVID and two sewing books (Animal Friends to Sew and Sewing Love) turned out to be insufficient in terms of reducing the mountainous textiles that I own. In fact, I went a little crazy and added to the fabric supply as I progressed on the books\u2026no bueno. Muy no bueno. Let\u2019s not harp on past transgressions, however, and here are some sketches of things I\u2019d like to stitch up: I’m going to self-draft all of these: – I sewed a jumpsuit a couple of years ago and though it’s somewhat see-through and wonky, I love it. In warmer months, I wear it all the time and want to fine-tune my pattern – I really, really want a flirty, twirly summer dress with thin straps – I adore hoodies and thought, why not make one in linen? After all, so much of what I wear is made from linen – All of my wide-legged pants are tired-looking these days, so I need to replace them – I’ve been resorting to wearing M’s t-shirts as nightwear, but want cute PJs with a matching top and bottom – I’m going to focus on interesting details for tank tops – Protecting my skin is a must! I wear hats every day and though I liked the Lotta Jansdotter ones I made, I’m going to tweak the pattern more. Ever since I started sewing, my goal has been to be able to sew anything. I\u2019m fairly confident that I can make most things, but there are still a giant number of techniques and things I haven\u2019t tried or have only attempted once or twice. Maybe I\u2019ll give zero-waste sewing a shot \u2014 is zero waste sewing even possible?  You know, there\u2019s a side benefit to developing this skill: should the apocalypse that my prepper husband has been predicting ever come to pass, I\u2019ll be ready. Sewing can come in handy in so many ways when the world is melting down, don\u2019t you think? In a pinch I could whip up a backpack for survival items or a tent or some other apocalypse-friendly paraphernalia. Of course, there\u2019s the conundrum of how I would lug my sewing machine and supplies if we have to scamper through the wilderness to escape zombies or what-have-you. I suppose I\u2019ll have to whittle a needle out of wood and use my hair or vines to stitch\u2026leaves? Anyway. I\u2019m continuing to practice digital painting. Check out the flowers below \u2014 pretty much indistinguishable, right? Digital painting tools have come a long way since the first Photoshop brushes I sampled over 10 years ago. Procreate, in particular, is incredible and I\u2019m having so much fun trying a myriad of brushes and making my own! Love, love, love. Basically, I\u2019m doing all the things I normally do, but for pure FUN. Summer is for play, and play I will!  Until next month take good care, my friends! P.S. Happy Fourth of July to those in the U.S.!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[60,9,15],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-18261","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-book","7":"category-life","8":"category-sewing","9":"entry","10":"has-post-thumbnail"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18261"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18272,"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18261\/revisions\/18272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}