I only recently got the hang of it enough to really enjoy doing it. I have been using a small flurescent light under one of my large Tupperware containers (large!) to make a light box so I see where to place the fabric on the foundation. It makes it much easier.
Paper piecing is done with a pattern printed on a piece of lightweight paper. You cut small pieces of fabric and actually sew them right onto the paper per the pattern. After you get the whole block done, you remove the paper from the back. There is a tutorial on the board under Tutorials. It's a good tutorial.