Paper Piecing is an old technique and one that I was reminded of when one of the Stampin' Up! Artisan design team members posted an adorable card using the cupcake from Circle Sayings and the paper piecing technique. I decided to take her inspiration and make a video for you showing how to do it. In essence, it is stamping on patterned paper (DSP), then cutting out part of the image to add to another fully stamped image, thus adding patterns to the stamp design.
When choosing a stamp for this technique, look for one where part of the design can be paper and the rest of it colored. The cupcake stamp is perfect for this, as the liner can easily be patterned. I recommend that the paper you use have small scale designs (unless you have a large portion to cover). I have made cupcakes in a variety of papers to give you some ideas of papers that work great, and come coloring thoughts as well.
Gather your supplies:- Cardstock: Thick Basic White 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"; Bee Mine DSP 4" x 5-1/4" and 1-1/4" square scrap; Basic White 3" x 3"
- Stamp Set: Circle Sayings
- Ink: Petal Pink and Memento Tuxedo Black
- Punch: 2-3/8" Circle
- Stampin' Blends: Ivory, Deep, Medium
- Ribbon: Sweet Sorbet Bordered Ribbon 13"
- Adhesive and Tools
While the card layout is very basic, the finished card is elevated with the paper piecing and addition of a ribbon zig zag behind the cupcake circle. Fold the card base in half, crease well, and add the large piece of DSP on top. Stamp the celebrate circle and cupcake in the center of the Basic White square. Then stamp the bottom half of the cupcake on your scrap of DSP.
When fussing cutting out the cupcake liner, cut right on the line. Normally when I fussy cut, I leave a small border (like what you get when you die cut a stamped image). But for this technique, you don't want anything beyond the stamped line. Before you add this to the cupcake in the circle, color the cake and frosting with Stampin' Blends. I did my cake in ivory and used three shades of brown to make chocolate frosting (lighter in the middle and darker toward the edges). After the coloring is done, adhere the cut paper liner to the cupcake.
Using the circle punch, cut out the cupcake and celebrate image. The set was designed to use the 2-3/8" punch but I found that the 2-1/4" punch or one of the circles from Stylish Shapes also works great. Place Seal adhesive under where the circle will go on the card front and attach a zig zag of ribbon. Pop up the circle over the ribbon.
For my inside, I stamped Happy Birthday in black and added s cupcake in Petal Pink on top of it. I also stamped that cupcake all along the bottom of my envelope. In hindsight, I think I would have preferred to have the circle more centered for the card in the
video. For my original sample (which used the Stargazing DSP), I placed it lower because of the pattern in the paper). It still looks good - just play around with where you place the circle until you get it where you like it best.
Here are some other cupcakes circles I made using different methods of cutting out the circle and different patterned papers. On one of them, I even used paper piecing to do the frosting too! It is really fun to try different DSP and a bit surprising at how different each one can look!
My next task was to look through our catalog to find more stamp sets that would be perfect candidates for this technique. My first card uses the Kiddin' Around stamp set. For the little girl's dress, I used the Bright & Beautiful 6" DSP. I embossed a piece of Berry Burst Paper with the Distressed Tile embossing folder and used the same paper for corner piece of the card front. The final touch is the addition of the Iridescent Adhesive-Backed dots. I really love how this card turned out!
Next is my alligator riding a bike. Once again, I used the Stargazing DSP (I will sure miss this paper pack!). To make it easier to cut, I colored the spikes with Stampin' Blends rather than cut them out. I love how the paper is so perfect and seems to give him texture! The card base is Lemon Lime Twist and has an embossed panel of Granny Apple Green along the side. The two other circles tie in with the colors of the flowers in his basket. This Zany Zoo bundle is not one to miss if you don't already own it!
If you've followed my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker), you will know that I've had lots of fun with the Hey Chuck bundle over the past year. Usually, I color the roosters/hens in bright, crazy colors. But for this card, I chose the Earthen Elegance DSP for the body of the rooster and love the result! It almost looks likes feathers! I added a fence behind the rooster and some texture on the bottom of the Pecan Pie panel with the Stripes and Splatter embossing folder. The fun addition of the Adhesive-Backed Swirl Dots finishes this fun birthday card.
The next two cards use the Playing in the Rain Bundle. For my hopping bunny (or Hop Hop as my grandson would say), I used the Delightfully Eclectic DSP to paper piece his polka dot coat. I used Blending Brushes to color the sky on the rectangle cut from the Everyday Details Dies and drew some grass with a marker. The second card from this bundle has a fox in a coordinating hat, coat and umbrella, all cut from the Let's go Fishing pack of paper. I used the Raindrops embossing folder and Blending Brushes to make the rainy sky. While it takes a little extra time to fussy cut the pieces, the result is so very adorable!
My construction zone birthday card uses Fresh as a Daisy DSP for the cement truck. It has only a slight pattern to the paper, but I think it really adds to the appearance. I used Pebbled Path from the 2023-2025 6" DSP pack and matching Texured Ribbon. What little boy wouldn't love this card?
My last sample uses the beautiful paper form the Countryside Inn pack. I love this paper as the background and also for the striped dress of my lady drinking her wine and gazing at the landscape. The stamp set is In the Moment and the ribbon is Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon.
Take a look at the stamps you own and find some that would work for this fun technique. I remember a set from a few years ago that was coffee cups with a band around the middle to keep your fingers from burning - this was a perfect one for paper piecing! There are so many fun papers to try (and it's another great way to use up scraps!).
Karen
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