Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Enhanced Paper Piecing Tutorial

Hi everyone.  Today is Tutorial Wednesday at Bugaboo's "Catch The Bug" Challenge blog.  When I joined their team as a Guest Designer for September / October 2013, I was asked to write a tutorial.  Since I use the Paper Piecing Technique with a lot of the fun and fabulous Bugaboo images, I thought I'd share some tips and tricks for "Enhanced Paper Piercing".  What is that, you ask??!!  It's just a few suggestions of ways to "step up" your paper piecing technique.  FYI, I have added a link to a printable document on the Techniques Page of my blog.


Paper Piecing is one of my most favorite techniques.  I love the versatility of combining plain and patterned paper on one image … the possibilities are endless.  Today I’m going to show you how to “step-up” your paper piecing with a few simple techniques – it’s all in the details.


Tip:  I run my black marker along the cut edges of each paper piece so the pieces blend with the lines of the image when they are glued down.  It just takes a few minutes and makes a huge difference with the finished image.


Today I’m using the adorable image “Teddy - Rose Hat” from Bugaboo.  Here are all the pieces before I get started.  I have cut out the base image as well so I can pop it up on my card.  I colored the roses and leaves with markers before assembling.






Here is the paper pieced image.  Sometimes I cut out the pieces individually and fit them together.  But for this image, I cut out one base layer from the medium brown for the head and one for the body.  The lighter shade of brown is layered on top of the base and a third layer (nose and rose on tummy) is adhered on top of the second layer ... this is paper layering.  It's such an adorable image just like this!





Here are the same pieces, but I've added some sponging around the outside edges of each piece.  The subtle shading gives a lot more depth to the image.





And here is the same image again (with the shading).  This time I've added a second set of paws, raising them up by adding a touch of glue at the wrists to adhere them flush to the image, but adding a rolled up glue dot (or you can use a pop-dot if it's not too thick) at the tip of the paws where they meet the feet, to give even more dimension.  This is call the paper tole technique.  Not much extra work, but it adds a lot more character and dimension to the image.





Consider adding texture to the image by dry embossing some of the pieces.  Here I have embossed the straw hat.  It adds more character and dimension and I've also used the paper tole technique when adding a second layer to the rim of the hat.





And here's one final way to "step up" this paper pieced image.  After finishing the paper piecing, layering and paper tole pieces, I added shine by coating the flowers and leaves with glitter glue to add an extra element.





Here's the finished card ...




Close-up:


So next time you decide to paper piece, think about adding one or more of the techniques above to enhance your image.  Or add some other extras ... perhaps twine for the strings of a balloon, felt for a scarf, or flower soft for the center of a flower.  The possibilities are endless.  Have fun!






31 comments:

shirley-bee said...

Fabulous tutorial, Loll! I love how each step added more depth and dimension, and the textured hat is gorgeous!

Darlene DeVries said...

Thank you for the great ideas Loll! I like the dry embossing suggestion - I'll have to remember that! :)
Darlene

Mrs A. said...

This is gorgeous. Thanks for all the added tips on paper enhancing. Do you print the digi off onto printed digi design paper to get the different patterns as in your post below? Hugs Mrs a.

mulberry station said...

Super cute! I love paper piecing too. Your card is adorable.
Hugs, Nancy CTB-DT

MaryH said...

This is wonderful, Loll. I really needed these instructions, so thank you for the tutorial. I'm all fumble fingers when I try to do this, and hopefully, I'll remember when I try this again. Got a post scheduled for Friday, where I did some p.piecing. Won't look as lovely as your image, but perhaps next time!!! TFS & Hugs

Susan said...

What an adorable image! I love all the extras you explained, especially the embossed texture and the glitter on the flower.

MaryH said...

Forgot to ask: what glue do you use for the tiny pieces? I've used the MS glue pen, as those little other little Quik Glue Pens I have a ton of, seem to dry out too quickly for me. Thanks.

Nonni said...

Hi Loll! What a fun coincidence, I just mentioned you today in my blog ( I mentioned you like paper piecing) and now I see you've just written a tutorial! I should have sponged the edges of my today's card's paper pieced parts -that seems to make a big diffence. I'll try it next time! Thanks for the great tutorial!

Stamps and Paper said...

Fabulous technique Loll especially love her textured hat..adorable card

Anne

Canonbury creations said...

Such a clear and informative tutorial Loll, thanks for sharing:)
Val x

nancy littrell said...

Now I know why your paper piecing images are so detailed and stunning. I love Loll how you add the extra black liner to your cut out images. Really makes your images pop. I can't wait to try your awesome technique when I get home. TFS....your tutorial was very, very clear and helpful.
Hugs, Nancy

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the step by step tutorial, Loll ... I've done very little so will add this to my list of things to try! A lovely card ... amazing colouring/inking and that basketweave hat is simply fab! Anita :)

Di said...

Loll, thank you for sharing your paper piecing tips. I will try to incorporate them into my work. You are an amazing card maker. I look forward to reading your blog each day to see what you come up with next!

Pati said...

Very cute bear! What a great sample, thanks for the tips to step-up paper piecing. I've done very little of it myself but after seeing this & your bear, it makes me want to play & look at those images in new light. I usually avoided these types of images to avoid the coloring but you make it look fun to paper piece them!

Bonnie said...

You take paper piecing way up the ladder, my friend! I love the texture of her hat and I always love your paper pieced cards!

Anonymous said...

She is darling Loll! Good tips for popping a card!

Sue said...

Hi Loll, your bear is sooooo cute! Stunning colouring and shading. Hugs, Sue x

Colorado Crafter said...

Loll, your paper piecing is exquisite! I wish I could see well enough to cut out all of those tiny pieces. If I had better eyesight I would love doing detailed work lile this. With all the "extras" you add the finished product is so special.

Anonymous said...

Oh,Loll-How adorable :) Fabulous tutorial-And I love how your card came out ;)
Nessa xx

Donna Nuce said...

Thank you for the great tutuorial on paper piecing! There are some techniques that I had not tried before. Have a great day!

Barb Ghig said...

Teddy never looked so cute! Thanks so much for all your tips on paper piecing...it was so helpful!

Gabby said...

Popped over from SCS. Loved the card there and love it more here, now that I can see so many more of the great details. :)

Lisa Lynn said...

Wonderful tutorial, thanks for sharing.

Karren said...

Great tutorial and some fabulous paper piecing tips, Loll. TFS.

Cathy said...

Wow! Fantastic tutorial Loll, the embossing and sponging make so much difference, thankyou for all of these tips, Cathy x

Marie Bingaman said...

Cute as pie card, and great tutorial! :)

Darnell said...

What a gift you have just given to all your faithful readers, Lolly! As I just said recently, you are the absolute Queen of PP and what a treat to find out all your secrets!! EACH tip was fantastic!! Thank you SO much for this! I can hear the subtle clicks of bookmarking and pinning going on all around the world!! Hugs, Dolly

Deepti said...

You are a paper piecing queen :) what a brilliant work :) I am inspired to do something like this

Karen M said...

I love how you paper pieced this adorable bear Loll and thank you for all the tips! She is one of my favourite images and your card looks amazing - hugs xx

Donna Ellis said...

Thanks for the great tips, Loll! I have so enjoyed your blog this morning! hugs, de

Min said...

Loll - I just love this tutorial. We're so happy to have you as a Guest Designer at Bugaboo!
Fabulous work!
Hugs & Happy Days!
Min