Perfecting paper piecing can be a pretty perplexing project. Almost as tricky as saying that first sentence. However, let me give you some hints that are sure to make this great technique purely peaceful. First off, paper piecing is a more-time consuming effort but yields great results. Paper piecing is basically cutting and layering pieces of stamped images together to create visual depth. It makes the stamped images come alive when they are layered and gives dimension and color using a variety of papers.
The Happy Mother’s Day card is a very basic example of paper piecing. On the flower and vase, the stem of the flower was stamped directly on the White Daisy cardstock while the other image were stamped in different colors, cut out and then layered. Notice how two different flower images were layered on top of each other to make one single flower.
A fun thing to look for when choosing a stamp image to paper piece is an image that can be built into a little scene, like the window and flower box on the Mom card. Notice how the window is stamped on White Daisy cardstock and a texture of dots was added to the background using the grey dots. The shutters are paper pieced on top of the window. 3D foam tape is then used to pop up the flowers and the flower pot. To give this scene even more detail, try things like sanding the flower box and coloring in pieces of the image using the blending pen. Each layer can have its own texture, which really helps add to the visual depth.
Let me break down how this technique came together on the cupcake treat box. First, stamp the image you are going to paper piece on each color of cardstock that you will be using for the layers. Used here are White Daisy, Hollyhock, Vineyard Berry and Grey wool cardstock.
Now, cut the detail of the image from the other colors. I recommend using Close To My Heart’s Micro-tip scissors. These are a must have for any craft room because the sharp blade and fine tip make cutting detailed images a cinch.
Notice how White Daisy cardstock was chosen for the base of the image and all other pieces were layered on top of it. Bonding Memories Glue pen is the perfect adhesive for adhering small pieces.
As a final touch, the blending pen was used to add a little subtle color.
Whether you create a unique card, a custom cupcake box, or a completely different paper-pieced memento for your mom this Mother’s Day, you’ll really be showing her how much you care.. And she’s worth it!
I love your color combinations. This cupcake box is so cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing these ideas Jeanette! You just bring these techniques to life in new ways.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors and the technique!! Is there a template or instructions for the box or will you post it at a later time?
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how to make the cupcake box
ReplyDelete@Kathleen and @Melody: Here you go!
ReplyDeleteFor the lid:
• Find and mark the center of a 12 x 12 piece of B&T or cardstock (I used B&T).
• Fold each of the four corners of the cardstock in so they touch the center dot. Use a bone folder to make your creases sharp.
• With the corners still folded in to the center, fold in each straight side to the center. Fold in two opposing straight sides, then unfold. Repeat with the other two sides. Use a bone folder to make the creases very sharp. After folding the sides in, unfold the lid completely.
• On two opposing corners of the lid, cut in toward the center on parallel fold lines. DO NOT cut all the way to the center (leave an intact square in the center to be the top of the lid). DO NOT cut all four sides - cut only the two opposing sides.
• On the two sides you did not cut, fold in to create the sides of the lid. Apply adhesive to the triangular flaps and adhere to the underside of the lid.
• You should have extensions on each side of the lid that you formed. Fold these extensions in to create a support for the last two sides of the lid. Apply adhesive to the remaining two triangular flaps and fold them up and over the extensions and adhere to the underside of the lid.
For the base:
• Use a stylus to score lines 4" in from each side of a piece of cardstock. This will create a grid to aid in cutting. A fast way to make the score lines is to lay the left edge of the cardstock at the 4" mark on your trimmer. Run your stylus down the cutting groove on your trimmer. Rotate the cardstock 90 degrees and repeat on the each side.
• Cut the four corner squares off to create a base with four flaps.
• Fold the four flaps up to make a the base of the box. Place the lid on top to hold the flaps in place. When the lid is removed, the flaps fold open to reveal the cupcake inside.