About / Contact


Hi there, I’m Cecelia Louie – graphic designer, paper artist, and online teacher.

I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where I work full-time as a graphic designer. When I have free time, I  create artwork out of paper, and then share what I’ve learned on my blog and YouTube channel.

Some people are addicted to shoes - I’m addicted to paper. 

I first fell in love with paper at the age of 6, when my class mate showed us how to make a paper origami balloon. I remember making the series of folds, then puffing my balloon up and sitting there amazed at the delicate ball. I carried my treasure home and have continued seeking that same feeling of awe.

I love the feel of paper in my hands. When I rub the fibres between my fingers, it tells me how malleable it is, how versatile it can be, and then I become impatient to make the paper come alive. I look at the color and texture, and catalog it somewhere in my memory so I can remember to use it on a specific project. I can spend days rummaging through my stash for that little scrap of paper that’s jammed between hundreds of other scraps, just so I can make it shine in a project.

Whenever I’m drawing, I often feel it’s a challenge to make what I have in my head show up on a page. When I make it out of paper, somehow it works, or even if it doesn’t, I just love the process of it.

I often get lost in my world of paper – adding layer by layer, snipping away the excess. I’m hunched over my desk for hours, watching my project build, waiting for things to dry, and then when I’m done, it’s like a fever breaking. When that spell is broken, I’m free to look up, and see that I’m surrounded by a pile of paper scraps and realize I’m hungry because I should have eaten hours ago.

I love sharing that magical enthralment with others, and I’m always eager to see that spark of joy in their eyes when they realize they can do what I’m doing – making something amazing out of a flat sheet of paper. 

Join me to be inspired, learn simple techniques, and gain confidence along your own paper crafting journey.


Contact

paperzeninfo (at) gmail.com


Self-published PDF E-Books

2021: Quilling Phrases

2018: Quilling Lowercase Letters

2018: Quilling Numbers

2017: Quilling Uppercase Letters


Printed Books

2017: Quilling Creations: Flora & Fauna, becker&mayer! (Author)
2014: Pretty Quilled Cards, Lark Crafts (Author)
2015: All Things Paper, 2015 (Contributor)
2011: The New Encyclopedia of Origami and Papercraft Techniques (Contributor)
Online Instructor
2015: Bluprint / Craftsy: Quilled & Sculpted Cards

Profile / Interview

2021: Interview with Charlotte, The Quilling Quarter
2021: Quiller Cecelia Louie Bends Paper to Her Will, by Roberta WaxCraft Industry Alliance





50 comments:

  1. so glad I found your site. beautiful work

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  2. Hi Cecelia, just found your blog and I love the variety of the posts. Your work is beautiful - I'll definitely be back!

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    1. Hello Jen, I'm so thrilled to hear I have a new reader! Thanks so much for your kind words. :D
      Cecelia

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  3. Hi Cecilia is me Tita and I have finished my project in Quilling. Do you have a email that I can send to you for one look on and tell me what do you think??? Will be so wonderfull...

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    1. Hello Tita, your first project is simply stunning! I can't believe it's your first and I know you are in your element right now - congratulations on your beautiful achievement!!!
      Cecelia

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  4. How do I keep my quilling paper so it does not tangle up. Mine is in a bunch and it is not organized at all and it is driving me crazy. Thanks, Bettie

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    1. Hello Bettie, yes it does get quite tangled doesn't it? I have written a blog post about how to organize them here: http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2014/09/how-to-organize-messy-quilling-strips.html
      Cecelia

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  5. I love your clear directions. You are so mellow, that’s a reminder to me to enjoy the process!! I have a glue bottle that has a fine tip which is great. However, when I attempt to spread a layer of glue on a card to gently press pieces and place on my background, by the time I have an adequate area spread evenly, the glue is tacky already. I use Aleen’s Original. I notice in your examples you spread your glue evenly and rather quickly. I can’t get mine out quickly enough. Do you use a specific tip or specific Aleen’s.

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    1. Hi Kathleen, Thank you so much for your kind words Kathleen! I'm happy to hear you're enjoying my tutorials. When I want to spread a larger amount of glue, I tend to use the larger bottle rather than my fine tip bottle because the bead of glue will be larger. Then I spread that with a piece of cardstock. If you watch this video here, you'll see how I do it. My glue tends to get tacky faster on a hot day and when I have my windows open. Hope that helps you!

      https://youtu.be/o2NpKf6um8o?t=14m10s

      Cecelia

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  6. Where in the Greater Vancouver area can I purchase quilling paper and supplies?

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    1. Hello, I have seen some supplies at DeSerres: https://www.deserres.ca/en/ssearch/?q=quilling

      However, I tend to buy mine online because the selection is greater.

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  7. Wow! What you do is amazing. You have inspired me to start quilling. I would love to use maps and sheets of music but am afraid those papers would be too flimsy. Can I glue maps, etc, to quilling paper and then cut them? If that is possible, is there a basic cutting machine you would recommend? (At this point I don’t want to commit to an expensive Cricut do-it-all type machine, but don’t see myself cutting by hand.). Thank you so much - Sue

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  8. Thank you so much Sue! You gave me such a huge smile this morning! This is what I love to hear! It's just paper and glue, so as adults we have to let go of what our idea of "shoulds" be, and just PLAY!!!

    I'm not sure how thick your music paper is, but my suggestion is to just cut a strip and test it out. If it's not curling the way you want, then try something else. I once unfolded an envelope and made strips out of it because it was metallic.

    You've identified the least expensive (by hand), and the most expensive (by Cricut) methods. To be honest with you, the least hassle is actually buying it pre-cut. They offer multiple colors in one package, so you're set to start on any project. Here is a popular brand and package by Lake City Crafts: https://amzn.to/2PnOdKi

    However, if you also need a slotted quilling tool, this book is the one I always recommend to newbies because it comes with paper and fantastic instructions too: https://amzn.to/2RBEGAN

    Happy quilling to you!

    Cecelia

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  9. Hello Cecilia. I love Your tutorials very much. You are extremely talented 👍 Where did You purchased the Cricut Explorer One? I am having trouble finding it where it can also be shifted to Denmark 🇩🇰.

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    1. Hello there and thank you so much for your kind words! I bought my Circut on Amazon. I think I found something similar on the Denmark version of Amazon here: https://www.amazon.de/Cricut-Explore-Air-2-Machine/dp/B01MCW9D49/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=cricut&qid=1552573649&s=gateway&sr=8-4

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    2. Thank You very much for Your Quick reply. I can't watt to get started 😃🇩🇰

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  10. Hola acabo de suscribirme a su lista,deseo aprender mucho de usted, gracias, saludos cecilia

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    1. ¡Gracias por suscribirte y bienvenido a Quilling! Espero que disfrutes quilling tanto como yo.

      Thank you for subscribing and welcome to quilling! I hope you enjoy quilling as much as I have.

      Cecelia

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  11. Cecilia, Thank you for the beginners video. I haven't started yet but it was nice to see and hear how to get started without having to invest in much to start with. Pat

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    1. Yay! Pat, I'm so glad you found this beginners video so you can see you can dip your toe into the waters without getting wet. People are often surprised how quickly they get hooked into feeling tranquil just playing with paper strips.

      Cecelia

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    2. Hi Cecelia! Thanks you so much for all your wonderful tutorials! Fantastic tips even for experienced quillers! I have recently purchased a Cricut Explore Air 2 and have been trying to figure out how to cut my strips on it, but I'm not having much luck! Do you have any tips you would be willing to share? Regards, Jen

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    3. Hello Jen, welcome to my blog! So glad my tutorials are helpful! Here is my blog post where you can download SVG files to cut your own quilling paper using your Cricut Explore Air 2: http://paperzen.blogspot.com/2014/06/diy-quilling-strips-tutorial-with-free.html

      You would need to import the file to Design Space before cutting.

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  12. Can you tell me where in your blog to purchase this svg file?https://i.pinimg.com/564x/05/92/6b/05926bfcf3a3dba2b92b8c4faf837005.jpg It says it is from 2013.

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  13. Hello Reese, thank you for asking about my Yin Yang card. It's available here in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/91011083/valentine-collection-yin-yang-card-gift?ref=shop_home_active_18
    Cecelia

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  14. Bonjour je n'arrive pas à ouvrir le document. Comment puis je faire?

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  15. Do you have a video that shows making scrolls using 2 or 3 strips of paper? I really love your work and have started using your tips and techniques in the last 6 months. I love the first piece that I did following your suggestions! always glad to find more videos from YOU! Vivian

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    1. Hi Vivian, I'm so happy to hear my tutorials have been helpful to you - thank you for your kind words! Do you mean how to make multi-strips? If so, here's a video showing that method: https://youtu.be/n9Zvz4dv_J0

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  16. Hi cecelia i just made a purchase of youur ebook of uppercase letters. Ive signed into etsy have gone to purchases and reviews but my purchse does not appear so i can dowload it. Could you pleaze assist me on this.

    Kind regards Samantha

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    1. Hi Samantha, thanks for buying my book! I've replied with instructions to your Etsy message. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!
      Cecelia

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    2. Bonjour à vous,

      Il y a très, très longtemps, je me suis intéressé au quilling et j'ai mis ça de côté pour découvrir d'autres loisirs créatifs. Mais en ces temps de confinement, j'ai décidé de m'y remettre et de pratiquer la maîtrise de l'alphabet en quilling. J'ai donc navigué sur Youtube pour en apprendre un peu plus.
      Et puis, quand j'ai su qu'il existait des fichiers téléchargeables, j'ai fait ni un ni deux, j'ai acheté les vôtres. Quel bonheur! Vous avez un talent fou pour si bien présenter vos travaux et ce qui me charme encore plus, c'est votre grande générosité. Vous ne craignez pas de partager vos créations. Votre site est très convivial, accueillant et très bien organisé. On se croirait dans votre atelier, tout près de vous.
      Vous avez toute mon admiration et vous partage mon grand bonheur d'avoir découvert votre site,
      Patricia Bouchard

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    3. Bonjour Patricia,

      Vous êtes si doux! Merci de me donner un immense sourire aujourd'hui !!! C'est grâce à de gentils mots d'encouragement comme le vôtre qui m'ont aidé à surmonter ma timidité et à partager mes expériences. Je ne devinerais jamais que mes pensées ou mes observations seraient appréciées par tant de personnes.

      Je vous félicite d'avoir relevé le défi du quilling et j'espère que votre nouvelle passion vous donnera autant de joie qu'elle m'a donné.

      J'ai adoré votre commentaire sur le sentiment que vous êtes dans ma salle d'artisanat !!! C'est comme ça que je voulais vraiment que mes tutoriels se sentent - comme si j'enseignais à mon ami.

      Gros câlins du Canada
      Cecelia

      + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

      Hello Patricia,

      You are so sweet! Thank you for giving me a huge smile today!!! It is because of kind words of encouragement like yours that have helped me overcome my shyness and share my experiences. I would never guess that my thoughts or observations would be enjoyed by so many.

      I applaud you for taking up the challenge of quilling again and hope your newfound passion gives you as much joy as it has given me.

      I loved your comment about feeling like you are in my craft room!!! That's how I really wanted my tutorials to feel - like I am teaching my friend.

      Big hugs from Canada
      Cecelia

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  17. Hi Cecelia,

    I'm new to Quelling and have learned so much from you! I'm finishing up a gift for my mom. I've seen where some people suggest using an acrylic spray or glue mixture on the project before framing. What do you suggest? This isn't a masterpiece by any means but I would like to make sure everything holds up.

    Thanks,
    Edgenie

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    1. Hi Edgenie, welcome to quilling! I'm happy to hear my tutorials have been helpful to you! Hmmm, unfortunately, I haven't ever sprayed my work. I tried researching a good product, but some are not "archival", so I kind of gave up. I simply tell the person not to place in direct sunlight, which will fade anything, even a car! When I place my work behind glass in a shadowbox, it has seemed just fine even after 10 years.

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  18. Hi Cecilia, I am french so sorry for my mistakes. I am starting quilling, love your tutorials and thank you for you generosity. I d'ont know where to look for the templates you use in the video to show us how to make the basics. I would like to download it. In your e-mail I were able to donwload the Template, tank you so much. I did the snowflake, love it. I would like to do the basics on the sheet you told us to download but can't find it. Please help me find it. Have a nice day!

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  19. Bonjour! I'm so happy to hear you're finding my tutorials helpful!

    I think you're asking about this template:
    https://paperzen.blogspot.com/2019/04/7-day-quilling-curve-challenge.html#more

    I have more here and if you click on the words, they will take you to the blog post, where you can download the templates:
    https://paperzen.blogspot.com/p/quilling-tutorials.html

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  20. Hi Cecilia.....Last week I downloaded the Capital Letters book and printed it out. Today I got an
    e-mail from Etsy telling me I haven't downloaded yet. I'm confused. Do I just ignore the e-mail?
    Thanks
    Elizabeth

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    1. Hi Elizabeth, I'm not sure why Etsy's system didn't realize you have already downloaded your book, but yes, you can simply ignore their message. Thanks for checking in and I hope you're enjoying your book so far!
      Cecelia

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  21. Hi Cecilia,
    Can you tell me where I could get the quilled dragonfly that you have at the top of your page? I just love it! I saw the one on your esty page but it is dye cut and I want to quill it for a friend for Christmas.

    Lynn

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    1. Hi Lynn, I'm sorry but I have not written any instructions for my quilled dragonfly. I made it years ago for a publisher who lost it, so all I have left are small photos. I love it too and maybe one day I'll make a new one again.
      Cecelia

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  22. Hi Cecilia, I am using your quilling SVG files to cut very thin strips of anti-static bag material for tying artificial flies. My question is how do I adjust the out diameter but keep the strips the same size? When I reduced the height of the pattern the strips seem to get skinnier.

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    1. You would need to constrain the elements as you adjust the size. These are settings available in whatever program you're using.

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  23. Hello Cecelia!
    I just opened my first quilling kit and l find myself very intimidated! I saw your ebooks and they look like the best way to give me insight and confidence to make a first step. The problem is, l am looking for paperback versions, especially of the capital and lowercase letters. I don’t do well with ebooks, they add to my frustration, so l am hoping you can tell me where l can buy the paperbacks. You are so talented, it is so cool what you can do with paper and color!
    Thanks, Christie

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    1. Hello Christie, welcome to quilling! I'm happy to hear my tutorials are inspiring you to try quilling. I'm sorry but unfortunately, I don't offer my e-books in a pre-printed paper format, only the digital files. Is there anything else I can help you with?
      Cecelia

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  24. Cecelia, Hi!! I love your work and how easy you explain everything!!
    I have a question, whats the best way to glue 2 strips? if I need a extra long strip....

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    1. I would tear both ends first. Dab a small amount of glue on one end and press the other end against it. Then, most importantly, before the glue dries, place both strips' edges on the table. This ensures the edges line up so that when you are quilling, you end up with a straight strip.

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  25. Hello and thank you so much for all your information. I just purchased a used Expression 2 Cricut and unfortunately found out I can't use your downloads. Do you know which cartridge I need to purchase to make quilling strips. I am new to Cricut but not quilling. I would like to be able to cut my own strips.

    Thank you!

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    1. Hello Carol, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm very sorry but I don't know anything about Cricut cartridges.

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  26. Hi Cecelia! I asked these questions in your snowflake tutorial on YouTube, but thought I would ask here as well, in case you didn't see my comment. I was looking for the svg file for cutting quilling strips. And also for the blank grid you mention so I can design my own snowflakes. Thanks so much!! Love working along side of you!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Jules! I've started a new website now, and you can download my free SVG quilling strips files here: https://paperzen.ca/products/quilling-strips-machine-cut

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