Hello and welcome. I also leave the paper on so they don't stretch. You can sometime twirl the center point to reduce bulk. Since you are designing the pattern, take a good look at it and see if you can simplify it a bit. There was a post about this recently, can't find it right now...
Re: posting pictures. there's a size limit
First do this:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/qb-help...g-t166655.html
Then do this:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/qb-help...s-t168819.html