Hi Monique,
Your turtle looks nice. You're so right, you did try. That so important and is a true learning experience. It's hard to determine from your picture which exact method you used. Don't throw your first attempt away but use it on a small pillow for yourself as a reminder where you began.
What you need to do is have at least two copies of your pattern for pp. One to keep as a map and the other to use to sew. In paper piecing you divide up the pattern in sections if necessary. You sew on the back side (without the pattern printed), then work around 1st section, then second section and so on. Then sew the sections together.
There's also EPP, English Paper Piecing. This is used with hand sewing the pieces together. In this method I like to draw on the back side of the fabric the seam lines for each piece. The seam allowance then is not as critical.
With your turtle it may prove easier to use an applique method using fusible.
There are several tutorials and threads on QB for review. Along with that there are numerous helps such as You Tube and websites and blogs for assistance.
Please keep asking questions and posting, that's how you learn.
Pam M