Paper piecing is hot again as a current trend and it’s more exciting than ever. Of course, we’ve heard of die-cutting tools, machines, and computers that will cut it all out for you. The advent of Cricut, the Big Shot, Silhouette, etc. shows that this part of the scrapbooking industry remains an area of huge ongoing growth. I’m going to show you examples of projects using these machines and more.

Even without machines, paper piecing is one of the most basic yet stunning techniques in a scrapper’s arsenal. In paper piecing, you cut pieces of paper to create an image such as a flower, a monkey, a banner, a house, a tree, spaceships, or perhaps interesting shapes such as intricate circles. If you use a machine and its die-cutting pattern, you can repeat this image in quantities such as those needed for invitations. When hand-cutting, some use coloring pages or downloadable patterns, cut and glued together for a more unique, one-time embellishment. There is great satisfaction and joy in creating something that can never be duplicated.

Patterned papers often lend themselves well to cutting and piecing, especially florals and swirls. Going beyond, you can piece together patterns with felt for a softer, more touchable accent for your project. Now digital scrapbookers can get in on the action. In fact, you can even find paper piecings and felt piecings as digital embellishment packs to purchase. You will see samples of many of all of the above ideas in the next 4 pages.

Vacation by Regiane Thahira

Supplies: Paper: Prima Marketing, Jillibean Soup, Die cuts: Sassafras Lass, Other: Maya Road Envelope. Tools: Ink: Tattared Angels, Punches: Martha Stewart, Stamps: Goodies and Maya Road.

Design Notes: Mix stronger colors like pink and green for a perfect summer's page. The black lines contrast with the others colors and make this layout bold. But, at the same time, the lightness of the butterflies and the yellow glimmer mist contribute to it’s graceful design.

Editor’s Note: Regiane handcut from patterned paper to make her flowers. Journaling: A magic moment is when I discover the minute of happiness.

Sock Monkey Card by Bonnie Freshour

Supplies: Paper: Kangaroo and Joey, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet: Sizzix, Ink: Color Box, Pens: Gelly. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Sizzix (Ellison), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Dies: QuicKutz, BossKut, Punches: Corner Rounder; Mini Moon, Scissors: Cutter Bees.

Design Notes: This card was inspired by a 7” rectangle birthday party plate. I have always loved paper piecing and trying to recreate an image I see, whether it be making my own pattern out of an image, or just looking at something (the inspiration in the 7" birthday party plate) and seeing if I can actually make it. When I first started paper piecing (well before die cutting machines), I cut everything by hand or used assorted punches. Today the possibilites are endless with my collection of dies, making it even easier.

Editor’s Note: Bonnie handcut her design for the sock monkey, while the alphabet is from a die and diecut machine.

Universal Studios {Japan} by Rona Gavino

Digital Supplies: Kit: Fly Me to the Moon by Jacque Larsen and Gina Miller (The Lily-Pad), Frames: Amanda Heimann (Scrap Orchard), Template: modified from a template by marieh, Software:- Photoshop CS3.

Design Notes:  I often use templates as a starting point for the whole page. As I work on my page, I'd tweak the template to suit my taste (or my mood) until sometimes the whole page takes on an entirely different look! For this page, the only thing left of the template are the photo placement, and oddly angled orange frame. I didn't stick to the original template, which had Christmas trees in back of the photos. For layering, I wanted to put on the little aliens, buttons and starts on the page without detracting from the photos themselves. So I made them small enough in front, to anchor the photos on the page. For elements in back of the photos, I enlarged them to give emphasis to the word art "Out of this world". I layered the logo of Universal Studios Japan on top of the photos to tie everything together.

Editor’s Note: Rona used digital elements that were paper piecings and felt piecings from a kit she bought online.