- Stace Hasegawa
Okay, here it goes. Welcome to my very first blog. The very first one I have ever written! Yeah, I know, it’s not like I am that old and I have no idea what blogs were up until now. No one has to come over and help me program my VCR. Boy… that would be sad. But I DID just start playing on Facebook. So this is my next new big adventure.
So, what to share? How about a big part of what I do here at Paper Crafts… designing openers and concepting how a feature will be shot. Hopefully, you all enjoy them. I pulled a few of my favorites and it wasn’t until now that I realize that they were all from Halloween issues. Hmm… do you all see a theme here?
My first Halloween feature was in Crafts Magazine 2002. It doesn’t seem like very long ago, but the fact that the projects were dolls, felt pillows, and crocheted table covers – that tells you something! The gargoyle was a present from a friend, and the rocks and stuff were just props we found outside.
Next was the “Art of Tattoo” feature from 2007. I had this idea to design a tattoo, but then had to find a victim that would sit still for whatever time it took to draw and paint on them. Luckily my sister had this cute friend named Cameron who agreed. He actually was a very good sport and sat for a long time. And at the end, he wore it all day, long after we were done.
Lastly, was the “Enchanted Forest” feature from last year. Sometimes in handoff I get these pictures almost immediately on what I want to do. Sometimes they work out; sometimes they don’t and I come up with something new. For some reason I really wanted to make these little paper trees for this feature. The most asked question was, “How long did they take to make?” Well, after about 11 hours, I stopped keeping track because it made me realize how crazy it was getting (11 plus hours times how many trees?). Yeah, you know how that goes – it seemed like a good idea when I started. But what was going to be a forest of trees ended up being only five. Probably a good thing that I didn’t create a forest since most of the trees would have been cut out.
Well, I hope you liked my first blog and the little stories about my openers. I decided that when I write a blog I want to give away prizes, so for my first blog… I want to give away one of my little paper trees from the forest feature. They stand about 15 inches high. Leave a comment telling me what you liked about the overall design of this feature. I’ll pick my lucky winner on Monday, March 2.
Stace, Art Director Extraordinaire
P.S. Kelly added the “Art Director Extraordinaire” bit. I’m really not that vain!
Stace – you RAWK! That tat is seriously cool… And those trees – of course, wow!
Well, Stace, can I just say that your first blog entry is wonderful. Very interesting!! Also, if I ever get a tattoo, I would want you to design it! That tattoo is amazing! Those trees are fantastic! I think working on the concept of how a feature is going to be shot is fascinating! Well done to you!! You are one talented lady!!
P.S. I am the one that won the “name the online editor” contest, and I think it is completely appropriate for you to ALSO use “Extraordinaire” in your title!! You are definitely an Art Director Extraordinaire!!
I am always impressed by your work. You give such attention to detail that we just can’t find everywhere. You are a woman of my own heart. I do things like make trees for hours on end (except not really trees, although I would love to have one of yours) but you get the idea. My husband usually thinks I’m nuts, wasting away my sleep to the wee hours of the morn just to get a project done (I wish I had as good an excuse as “it’s for the magazine article” LOL) Usually it’s only because when I get an idea in my head I can’t let it go until I’ve made it into a reality. You should see me when I’m working on one of my kids (always themed) birthday parties. I love working with my hands, digital is fine but the feeling you get when you’ve slaved away for, say 11 hours per tree, and you come away with that gem of a layout is something I can’t seem to live without. I love the fact that you LOVE Halloween. I got into prop making for a time just so I could have an awesome haunted house at my own Halloween parties. I used to sell them on Ebay. That was before scrapbooking! I still have the issue where you did “The art of the tatoo”. That shot is what prompted me to buy it off the shelf, just to let you know. I loved all the PC projects that were in that issue, edgy, fun, and a bit grungy with a Halloween twist. Very Cool. Anyway thanks for the great blog today! You did a fantastic job!
You are so AMAZING! It seems everything you touch is magic! The tattoo was my favorite article, and I can’t wait to see what you do in the future!
What a fascinating job! And how talented you are at doing it! (And very interesting blog post, by the way) I love the trees with the twisted trunks and the gravel path, but the tattoo – well, what can I say – it is fabulous.
We {heart} you Stace! For your blogging debut I give you a 10+!
Hi Stace! Your work is one of the big things that sets Paper Crafts apart from all those other crafting mags…seriously – you are one of the most creative people out there and I love getting each new issue to see what you’ve cooked up and how you so very often make the project look so much better in print than it looks IRL. My favorite Halloween issue was with all of the levitating projects…so cool! And I love to see your incredible birthday cakes too – glad to see you jumping on the blogging bandwagon!
You all are soooo sweet! Thank you!
In my humble opinion extraordinaire fits you very well! : )
What do I like best??? the muscles on the guy with the tatoo heeheehee just kidding! I’m a grandma I should try to behave! : ) I love the trees! gee! what a talented mind you have!! I’m not surprised it took that long but I am surprised you would give one away!
Best of Luck to you : )
Patti
Fabulous first post! What a really interesting look into your job (at which you are amazing!) I Have always admired those opening shots and wondered how they were done. Both the tat and the tree blow me away!
FUN post!! Love the insider scoop and I really enjoy hearing about every detail. And speaking of detail! Those trees are amazing!! I am thinking we need a “how to” tutorial!!
Wonderful Day! The Halloween issues of Paper Craft are my FAVorites! I love the creativity – the layouts, the cards, the quotes, the stories! All of it. Every year, I get the Halloween issue and read and reread many, many times so I see every little detail. I TOTALLY remember the tattoo and thought it was grand! Hope you enjoy blogging as much as we enjoy reading what you write and looking at your great work! Thank you for sharing with all us readers/paper crafters out there!!! Smiles, KellyL.
Stace, you are the epitomy of extraordinaire! Thanks for making our magazine look so amazing, for making our work environment so fun, and for being such a supportive friend.
And I’m glad you decided against stitching the text of your blog entry.
I LOVED seeing this post and reading about the ‘behind the scenes’ work that you do! AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, CREATIVE work!!
We all LOVE seeing your work–in the magazine (I’ve kept every issue), at the birthday parties we are allowed to share, and, now, in the blog. Thanks for giving us a behind-the-scenes peek at the “magical” results of your hard work.
Paper Crafts is a chest full of treasures, and you shine most brightly!
K
P.S. I just got the new “Stamp It! Cards”–Yet another fantastic publication! Keep them coming!
Congratulations on your first blog entry! And um.. wow those trees are amazing, and I totally would thought that tatoo was photoshopped had you not shown me.
Great 1st blog. Love all your creativity. You really put your Heart & Soul into your projects. They are awesome.
Pingback: Tips, Tools, & Techniques Trivia «