Paper piecing is hot trend in scrapbooking right now.  It consists of using a pattern to cut out pieces of different colored papers which are pieced together to create a design.  I have always liked the look of paper piecing because it allows you to use some creativity in your layout designs while still being able to personalize them to your particular pictures.

If you haven't been able  find a die cut or sticker to go along with a layout, you might have tried paper piecing.  You can find patterns almost anywhere.  You might use a page in your child's coloring book, a piece of clip-art, or even the design on a T-shirt.  

Look in places you might not think of at first.  For example, I have found some great patterns in applique books, foam craft books, and wood craft books.  Some websites have kids' coloring pages that can be used as patterns.  For example, on the kid's layouts, I used the "printables" coloring pages at www.ctw.org to create the Sesame Street characters for the "Sesame Street Live" page.

You can change the size of a particular pattern to suit your needs by enlarging or reducing it on a copy machine.  Cut the pattern into the different pieces you will need, and use them to trace a pattern on your colored paper.  Then cut all the pieces out and put them together on your scrapbook page.

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL PAPER PIECING PATTERNS. NEW PATTERNS WILL BE ADDED TO THIS SITE EACH MONTH!