Love PP. I have Carol Doak's books and her patterns are easy. One book is birds. My ASG group is doing the 12 blocks for a quilt. They're very easy compared to some other patterns.
I put pins at the end of each stitching line to locate my next piece. I have the ruler too but often find I can eyeball the 1/4".. I use very thin computer paper and 15 stitches to the inch. I like CP because it holds together better if you have to ripit and let's face it, you do have times when you have to ripit.
I cut my patterns another 1/4" outside the dotted line but don't trim to that line until I put the sections together. Has been very accurate so far. I don't remove the paper until all blocks are together. Then a final press.
I use a wooden presser as I piece and then an iron press when the block is finished. Have had some eally goofy mistakes but the were sure good for a few laughs.