CAUTION: The projects in this book require cutting with scissors, which can cause physicalinjury if used improperly. Children should be supervised carefully and provided with anyassistancetheyneedtoinsuretheirsafetywhenusingscissorsorothersharpobjects.

First published in 2004 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., witheditorialofficesat364InnovationDrive,NorthClarendon,Vermont05759

Copyright©2004FlorenceTemko

Allrightsreserved.Nopartof thispublicationmaybereproducedorutilizedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical, includingphotocopying, recording,orbyany informationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.

Temko,Florence.Kirigamigreetingcardsandgiftwrap/FlorenceTemko.-1sted.p.cm.ISBN:978-1-4629-1204-9(ebook)

1.Paperwork.2.Cut-outcraft.3.Greetingcards.4.Giftwrapping.1.Title.TT870.T44532004745.594'1-dc22

2004007242

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DiagramsbyDanielP.BrennanbasedonoriginaldiagramsbyFlorenceTemkoPhotographsbyDaveKutchukianPrintedinSingapore

Youmayusethedesignsandtemplatesinthisbookforpersonaluseorineducationalsettingsfreeandwithoutspecialpermission.However,republicationorreproductionofanyillustrationordesignbyanyothergraphicservicewhether it be inabookoranyotherdesign resource, isstrictlyprohibited,asisanycommercialuseofthedesignsinthisbook.

"IntricateDragon"onpage26reprintedfromChineseFolkDesignsbyW.M.Hawley (DoverPublications,NewYork,1949).

TUTTLEPUBLISHING®isaregisteredtrademarkofTuttlePublishing.

Contents

Introduction

KirigamiQuestionsandAnswers

PapercuttingTechniques

KirigamiPrefold

DecorationsforCardsandGiftWrapKirigamiCutoutsCollagesCut-ApartsDress-UpDollsStarsMon-KiriJapaneseCrestsBoysandGirlsTogetherFlagsandShieldsAlphabetSoupDragonHummingbirdBunchofGrapesHoponOverInvitation

Three-DimensionalCardsGateCardsForYourValentineRosesAreRedBirthdayPop-UpChristmasTreeCardFiestaCardPop-UpforAnyOccasion

Boxes,Bags,andMoreChrysanthemumGiftBoxBookMarkSnowmanGiftBagRememberDadBoxEnvelopes

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTIONKirigami, the creative art of papercutting, is a surprisingly easy craft that requiresonlypaper,apairofscissors,andsometimesglue.Withthesesimplemeansanyonecan create greeting cards, calendars, and unusual gift wraps that will bewelcomeyearround.

Thewordkirigamisuggests itsconnection toJapan:kirimeans "cutting" andgamimeans"paper." For many designs a piece of paper is folded one or more times, with cuts addedthroughalllayers.Whenthepaperisunfoldedanunexpectedsymmetricdesignisrevealed.Asmaybeguessed,kirigamiisrelatedtoorigami,theartoffoldingpaper,butmanypeoplefindittobeeasier.

Cuttingpaperseemstobeaninstinctivepleasure.Atanearlyagemostchildrenliketosnippaper into small pieces. Before long they design pictures by pasting the shapes on abackground.InKirigamiGreetingCardsandGiftWrapthisexperiencehasbeenexpandedforenjoymentbyolder childrenaswell asadults,whocanachievemagic resultswith justa fewcuts.

Papercutting is well recognized to provide educational benefits in the areas of art, math,graphicdesign,andhand-eyecoordination.Whenexpandingtospatialrelationships,twokindsof symmetry can be observed: line symmetry, which reflects mirror images, and rotationalsymmetry,whichmovesaroundacentralpoint.

Youwillfindstep-by-stepdirectionsformakingbirthdayandholidaycards,aswellasmanywonderfulideasforwrappinggiftsinunusualways,allofwhichcanprovidemanyhoursoffunforfamilyandfriends.

Myobjective inwritingKirigamiGreetingCardsandGiftWrap is to provide projects thataresimpletomake,thoughtheymaylookcomplex,andthatwillappealtoallages.

KIRIGAMIQUESTIONSANDANSWERSAreorigamiandkirigamirelated?Both words are adaptations from the Japanese that have found their way into theWestern vocabulary. In origami a paper square is folded into an object or animal

withoutcuttingorgluing.Inkirigamipapermaybecutandglued,andmaysometimesbefoldedbeforecutting.Both terms include theJapanesewordgami,whichmeans "paper";orimeans"folding"andkirimeans"cutting."

IpopularizedthewordkirigamiintheEnglishlanguagewhenIpreparedapapercuttingkitin1962.AtthetimeIhadbeenpracticingorigamiandapublisheraskedmetowriteabookaboutpapercutting.When it came tochoosinga title, thepublishingstaffand I satarounddebatingvariouspossibilities. I suggestedkirigamiandwecheckedwith theJapaneseconsulate tobesurethiswordwouldbeacceptable.Thekithadsuchawidedistributionthatthewordkirigamibecameacommonterm.

Arespecialscissorsneeded?Anypairofscissorsthatfeelscomfortableissuitableformostofthedesignsinthisbook,butthesharperthebetter.Ifyoumoveontomakingintricatepapercuts,youmaywishtoacquireapair of small scissorswith narrowblades.Becausepaper contains silicones,whichabradescissors in time, it isbest to reserveapairofscissorsespecially forpapercutting,since theymaylosethesharpnessneededforcuttingfabric.

Whatkindsofpapersaresuitable?Almostanykindofpapercanbecutsuccessfully.Whenapaperhastobefoldedintoseverallayersbeforecutting,afairlythinweightisbest,butwhateverisaroundthehouse,includinggiftwrap,makes foragoodstart.Coloredprintingpapersarenext in line.Tissuepapermaybe

more difficult to handle, but may be useful for certain projects. Origami squares coloredbrilliantly on the front and white on the back come in packets. Japanese handmade washipapers,decoratedwithgloriouspatterns,aresoldinsquaresandlargersheets.

Theselectionofpaperisoneofthemostimportantaspectsofkirigami.Itisappropriatetochoosesomemoreunusualpaperswhenitcomestopreparingbeautifulcards.Mostcitiesnowhaveapaperstorewithan interestingselectionofpapers fromallover theworld.Otherwisecatalogsmayprovehelpful.Anddonot forget to recyclepapers from flyers,magazines,andcorrespondence.

Whataresomeofthepracticalusesforkirigami?Obviously the titleof thisbook,KirigamiGreetingCardsandGiftWrap,suggests twomajorapplications, but do not overlook using paper cuts in scrapbooking, for holiday roomdecorations,and forgift tags.Gift tagscanbesmallerversionsof thecutoutschosen for thegiftwrapping.Anykindofhandmadecardscanbesoldforraisingfundsforagoodcause.

Whataboutcardsandgiftwrapping?Theflatsurfacesofcards,giftpackages,andgiftbagslendthemselvestoapplyingpapercuts,andareespeciallyusefulformailing.Itisagoodideatomakeabunchofcutoutsforcardsorgiftwrappingallatonetime,readyforfuturebirthdaysorholidays.

Nowadays, when what's outside the gift seems almost as important as the gift itself,kirigami ideascanhelpyoucreateunusualpackaging.Itmayeventrumpthecontentswhenarecipienttreasuresoneofyourcardsenoughtoframeitorkeepaboxforstoringsmallitems.

Remember that theselectionofbeautifulpaperswillalwaysenhanceyoureffortsand thatmanydesignscanbeplacedeitherverticallyorhorizontallyasthecardorboxdemands.

Iskirigamieducational?Definitely.Whetherintheclassroomorartroom,workingonsomeoftheprojectsinthisbookwillimprovestudents'graphicdesignability,colorsense,andvisualacuity.Someoftheprojectsarebasedongeometryandhelpstudentsvisualizemathconcepts. Insocial studiesstudentscaninvestigatepapercraftsaspracticedindifferentcountries.

Studies show that, among other benefits, papercutting improves manual dexterity byexercisingandtrainingsmallmotormuscles,aswellasfurtheringinteractionbetweenhandandmind. Most projects in this book are relevant for use in art and math classes. Thus, thetechnique relates to curriculum requirements. In California papercutting is included in the"FrameworkforPublicSchools,K-12."

Atwhatagecanchildrenbegintooutpaper?Withtheavailabilityofsafetyscissors,veryyoungchildrencanhavefuncuttingpaper.Infact,itseemsanaturaloutletthatcankeepthemoccupiedforlongperiodsoftime.Papercutting,likeanycraft,offerschildrenandadultsdifferentchallengesfordifferentagesanddifferentstagesofdevelopment.

Ispaperouttingcreative?Inawaypapercuttingis"drawingwithscissors,"sothattakingapairofscissorsinhandinviteslimitless designing. Some artistswho have applied their talents to papercutting have createdtrue works of art. They may pencil in their design first, or they may work freehand. Sincepapercuttinglendsitselfwelltoproducingsimple,dynamic,orboldimages,ithasbeenusedin·manyadvertisementsandcompanylogos.SomeofthesearebasedonJapanesecrestcutting.

To explore your own creativity, experiment with one or two paper cuts according to thedirections in this book. Then begin to apply variations, which may lead you to entirely newapproaches.Theprojectsshownarequitebasic,butyoucanenhancethembydecoratingthemwithyourowntouchesofglitter,confetti,papersnipsleftoverfromothercuttings,ribbon,yarn,andotheroddsandends.

Whyaddextraframing?Justaswithpicturesandphotos,framingenhancesacompositionbyaddingafinishingtouch.Toformaframe,gluearectangularorfreeformpieceofpapertothecardbeforeapplyingthecutdesignsinsidetheframe.

Whatabouttearingpaper?Manycutoutscanbetorninsteadofcut.Inthatcase,paperselectionisimportant.Thefibersinmachine-made papers are aligned in one direction,which is called grain. The paperwill tearmoreeasilywiththegrainthanacrossthegrain.Youmayhavediscoveredthisifyouhaveevertried to tear out an article froma newspaper. In contrast, handmadepapers exhibit no grain

direction.Theywillshownicefuzzyedgeswhentorn,givingadifferenteffectthancutlines.

Whataboutcopyingthedesigns?Forsomeprojectsyoumaywishtofoldthecuttinglinesexactly.Youcancopythediagramsbymakingphotocopiesortracingthem.Thenplacethecopyontopofthepieceofpaperyouhaveselectedandcut throughall layers. It isalright tocopythedesignsforyourpersonaluse,butnotforanycommercialpurposes.

PAPERCUTTINGTECHNIQUES

DiagramsThefollowingsymbolsareused:

A line of this thickness shows the outline shape of the paper or existing creases madepreviously.

Cutontheheavierlines.

Foldtowardyouonthebrokenlines(valleyfold).

Foldawayfromyouonthebroken/dottedlines(mountainfold).

Yourpapercutsmaynotlookexactlyliketheillustrations-scissorshaveawayofwantingtogotheirownwayandyoushouldletthem.

SquarePaperFor some of the projects, square pieces of paper are indicated. You can cut any letter-sizepaperorotherrectangleintoasquarewiththissimplemethod:

1.Foldashortedgetoalongedge,bisectingacorner.2.Cutofftheextrarectangle.3.Completedsquare.

MeasurementsMeasurementsaregivenininchesandcentimeters,buttheymaynotalwaysbeexactlyequalinordertoavoidawkwardfractions.Insomecasesspecificsizesarerecommended,butinmostcasesyoumayusesmallerorlargerpiecesofpaper.

ScissorsorUtilityKnife?All patterns can be cutwith scissors.Manypeople, includingme, aremore comfortablewithscissorsthanwithcraftknives.Ifyouprefer,youcanuseautilityknife,whichallowsformoreintricatecutting.Several layerscanbecutat thesame timebyholding theknife likeachisel,straightdown. In thiscasealwaysuseaboardoramagazine forbacking toavoidmarringatabletoporothersurface.

HowtoCutWhencuttingcurves,alwaysholdthehandwiththescissorsstillandmovethepaperintothescissors. Though itmay seemawkward at first, thismethodwill become a habit in a shorttimeandwillresultinsmoothercuts.

Someartisanscutevenvery intricatedesignswith theshankof thescissors,which is thepartof thebladesclosest to thehandles.Thisprovidesbettercontrol.Sowhydon'tyoutry itandseehowitworksforyou.

BasicSuppliesandOtherMaterialsThebasicsuppliesformostprojectsarepaper,scissors,andglue.Forgreetingcardsyoualsoneedblankcards.Allneededsuppliesarespecifiedatthebeginningofeachproject.

Gluesticksorhouseholdglueusuallyworkswell,butbesure toapply it thinly. Inaddition,sincewhite glue dries transparent, itmay be applied as a finishing varnish. Paper cement isusefulwhenpiecesofpapermayhavetoberepositioned.

You can buy blank greeting cards or make your own from card-weight papers, such asconstructionpaper,tagboard,coverstock,ormanilafilefolders,posterboard,railroadboard(slightly lighter inweight thanposterboard),GansonMi-Teinte,andhandmadepapers.These

choices offer awide selection of colors and textures, andmaywork out to be cheaper thanready-madeblankcards.

PatternDesignsThepatternscanbeduplicatedwith freehanddrawing,byphotocopying,orby tracing.Placephotocopiesor tracingson thepaper youplan touseandcut throughboth layers.weightasmanilafolders.Usethispatterntooutlineyourdesign.

MultiplesForholidaygreetingsthatyouplantosendtomanypeopleyoumaywant toduplicateoneofyour cutouts or copy a design from elsewhere. You can trace or photocopy it or use acomputerscanner.Youcancutseveralpiecesatthesametime,ifyouusethinpaper,butyoumayfindthattissuepaperishardertohandle.Youcanalsocutatemplatefromstrongpaper,suchatagboard,whichisthesame

KIRIGAMIPREFOLDMany people associate the word kirigami with paper cut into circular designs, which is atechnique closely related to cutting snowflakes. With this method, paper is prefolded intolayers, which multiplies any subsequent cuts. The designs that appear when the paper isunfolded always have a strong appeal, because their symmetry pleases our senses. Afteryou haveworked on the projects in this book, youmay enjoy experimentingwith your owndesignsforgreetingcards,invitations,orgifttags.

Youneed:Asquarepieceofpaper(seepage7)PencilScissors

1.Foldthepaperintoquarters.

2.Lookfortheclosedcorner,whichisthecenterofthepaper.Foldthiscornerinhalf.

3.CompletedKirigamiPrefold.

DECORATIONSFORCARDSANDGIFTWRAPKIRIGAMICUTOUTSThesecutoutsareallmadeonkirigamiprefolds.Theyareachievedbycuttingsectionsofpaperawayfromanyofthethreeedges.Whenyoucutonthelines,someareaswillfalloff.Thelinesmayfirstbedrawnfreehandwithpencil,traced,orphotocopied.

The firstcutout ismadesolelywithstraightsnips. In thesecondexampleasimplecurvedlineproducesastronggraphicdesign;thefall-offisusedasaframeonacard.Otherexamplesfollow.Thetriangularprefoldsareshownfullsizetofita6"(15cm)papersquare.

Aftermakingthesecutoutsyoumaybetemptedtocreateyourowndesigns,asyourealizethat an immense variety is possible with thismethod simply by cutting away areas from theedgesofprefolds.

Youneed:PapersquaresPencilandtracingpaper,orphotocopyScissors

CUTOUTWITHSTRAIGHTCUTS

1a.Makeaprefold.1b.Draw,trace,orphotocopythetwolinesshown.1c.Cutonthelines.Thedarkerareawillfalloff.1d.Unfoldthepaper.

2.CompletedCutout.

TWOFORTHEPRICEOFONEAsinglecutproducestworesults.

1a.Onaprefold,draw,trace,orphotocopyacurvedlineandcutonit.1b.Unfoldthetwopieces.

2.Youwillhaveanelegantcutout...

3....andaframe.

MORECUTOUTS

1.Onaprefold,draw,traceorphotocopythepatternshownandcutonit.

1.Onaprefold,draw,traceorphotocopythepatternshownandcutonit.

2.Completedcutout.

2.Completedcutout.

CautionCutoutsmadeonprefoldsmayfallapartifthecenterpointisnotobservedorifacutreachesfromoneedgeall thewayacross toanotheredge.After thishashappenedtoyouonceortwice,youwillquicklylearntoavoidthesepitfalls.

MORECUTOUTS

1.Onaprefold,draw,traceorphotocopythepatternshownandcutonit.

1.Onaprefold,draw,traceorphotocopythepatternshownandcutonit.

2.Completedcutout.

2.Completedcutout.

COLLAGESCollage consists of an artistic arrangement made by gluing various pieces of paper on abackground.Thisallowsyoutomakegreetingcardsinthemostcreativeway,sincetheshapescan be rearranged until you are pleased with the results. Experiment and play with paperpiecesinvariouscolorsandtextures.Scrapsleftoverfromotherprojectsinthisbookarewellsuitedforcollageasareshapesandwordscutfrommagazinepages.

Sincecollageissuchanindividualexpression,itisdemonstratedherewithtwoexamplestoserveasinspirationratherthanwithstep-by-stepdirections.

Youneed:PapersheetsandscrapsScissorsPaperCementBlankcardorgiftpackage

1.Thisillustrationshowsamusicalcard.

2.Thisillustrationshowsthreescrapswithdifferenttexturesappliquedonacard:twopiecesoftreebark,andpapercorrugatedwithapapercrimper.

CUT-APARTSRectangles,circles,andothersimplegeometricshapescut intopiecescanpresentveryboldimageswhengluedongreetingcards.Suchstrongcontrastsaretermedpositiveandnegativedesigns. In the first example a circle undergoes this treatment, while the tree that followsexpandsontheidea.

Afteryouhavecompletedthesesimpleprojects,experimentwithcuttingapartotherpapershapes with straight and curved lines. If a result does not please you, toss it out and startagain.

Youneed:ColoredpaperBlankgreetingcard,constructionpaper,orwrappedgiftPlateorcompassPencilRulerScissorsGlue

CUT-APARTCIRCLE

1a.Drawandcutacircleonthecoloredpaper,withtheaidofaplateoracompass.1b.Foldthecircleinhalf.

2a.Drawtwolinesfromthecurvededgetomeetatthebottomofthepaper.2b.Cutonthelinesandonthecrease.

3.Gluetheseparatepiecesonablankcard.

4.CompletedCut-ApartCircle.

CUT-APARTTREE

1a.Drawortraceacircle.1b.Cutitout.1c.Drawandcutwavylinesonit.

2.Drawandcutatreetrunk.

3a.Gluetheseparatepiecesonablankcardorwrappedgift.3b.CompletedCut-ApartTree.

DRESS-UPDOLLSPaper dollswere important toys before the age of television, but they can still providemuchcreative play. You can become a fashion designer by making your own paper dolls andprovidingthemwithseveralchangesofclothing.Thedollitselfmustbemadefromheavyweightpaperorthincardboard,butallkindsofinterestingpaperpatternscanbeusedfortheclothing.Thedolls'clothingcanbechangedatwillwhenit isattachedwithrubbercementorgluestickappliedlightly.

Forasurprise,encloseasetinaplasticenvelopeandsenditasagreetingcardorattachittoagiftpackage.

Youneed:Card-weightpaperfordollAvarietyofpapersfortheclothingPencilandtracingpaper,orphotocopyScissorsRubbercement

CompletedDress-UpDolls.

1a.Ontheheavypaperdraw,trace,orphotocopytheoutlineofoneormoredolls.1b.Cutoutonthelines.

2a.Draw,trace,orphotocopysomesimplearticlesofclothing.2b.Cutthemout.2c.Stickthemtothedollwithpapercementsoyoucanmovethemaroundtosuityou.

VARIATIONSIn addition to the basic wardrobe shown, you can create other apparel, hairstyles, shoes,accessories, andwhatever else you can thinkof, perhaps cuttingpatterns frommagazinesandcatalogs.Imaginestylesfavoredbyfriendsandfamilymembers,rockstars,orhistoricalfigures.

STANDINGDOLLGluethetopofastripofheavypapertothebackofthedoll,lettingthelowerendofthestripextendbelow the feetof the figure.Pull thestripaway fromthe figureatanangleand foldbacktheextralengthatthebottomforafirmstand.

STARSManydifferentstarscanresultfrommakingcutsonthebasickirigamiprefold.

Youneed:SquarepapePencilScissors

1a.Makeakirigamiprefold.1b.Makeaslantedcutbeginningattheclosedcorner.1c.Youwillhavetwopieces.Unfoldthelongtriangle.

2.CompletedStar.

VARIATIONSNotethatanystarcanbecomemoreorlesspointedbychangingtheangleofthecutinstep1b.

LACYSTAR

1a.Cutastarbutdonotunfoldit.1b.Cutawaythelighterareafromthelongedge.

2.CompletedLacyStar.

EIGHTPOINTEDSTARForaneight-pointedstar,gluetwofour-pointedstarstogether.

MON-KIRIJAPANESECRESTSTheartofcutting familycrestshasbeenacustom inJapan forcenturies.Distinctiveheraldiccrests,calledmon-kiri,or"crestcuttings,"werehandeddownfromonegenerationtothenextandwere displayed on the clan's possessions.Crests attached to samuraiwarriors' clothingandarmormadeiteasytoidentifyfriendorfoeinbattle.

Manymon-kiridesignsaregeometric,butalso includeavarietyofplants,animals,clouds,andotherformsinnature.Theirbolddesignshaveservedastheinspirationformanyjewelers,clothingdesigners,andotherartisans.Crestsfirstcreatedinpapermaylaterbeconvertedtofabricsandothermaterials.Forthebesteffect,gluemon-kiricrestsonblankcardsorgiftwrapinstrongcontrastingcolors.Theauthenticcrestsshownheremayinspireyoutodesignamon-kiricrestasyourownpersonalsignature.

Youneed:PaperScissorsGlue

PEONY

1.Foldapieceofpaperinhalf.

2a.Copyortracehalfapeonyonthefoldededge.2b.Cutitoutthroughbothlayers.Notethattheinteriorovalsarereachedbycuttingslitsfrom

theedge.Theslitsdisappearwhenthepeonyisglueddown.2c.Unfoldthepaper.

3.CompletedPeony.

FOURCOMMASUsepaperthatiscoloredthesameonbothsides.

1.Foldapieceofpaperinquarters.

2a.Drawonthecommashapeandarounddotasshown.2b.Cutonthelinesthroughalllayers.

3a.Separatethefourlayersandarrangetheminacircleonapieceofcard.3b.Gluedownallcutouts.3c.CompletedFourCommas.

LOCKEDSQUARESYouneeda4"(10cm)papersquare.

1.Foldasquarefromcornertocorner.

2.Folditinhalfasshown.

3a.Draw,trace,orphotocopythedesignonthefoldedpaperintheexactpositionshown.3b.Cutout throughall layers.BeespeciallycarefulatpointX,where thesquarewillbeheld

together.3c.Carefullyunfoldthepaper.

4.CompletedLockedSquares.

BOYSANDGIRLSTOGETHERYoucancutacircleofboysandgirlsdancingtogetherfromonepieceofpaper.

Youneed:PaperPlateorcompassScissorsPencil

1a.Onapieceofpaperdrawacirclewiththeaidofaplateoracompass(8"(20cm)wouldbeagoodsize).

1b.Cutoutthecircle.

2.Foldthecircleinhalfthreetimes.

3a.Drawonhalfafigureofaboyandhalfafigureofagirlontheedges,asshown.3b.Cutoutthehalffiguresthroughalllayers.3c.Unfoldthepaper.

4.CompletedGirlsandBoysTogether.

BONUSYoucanusethepiecesthatfellofftodecorategreetingcardsorreportcovers.

FLAGSANDSHIELDSCutting papers to create flags and shields is a form of collage. They can be inspired byinternationalflagsofdifferentcountriesorstates,ortheycanbewhollyimaginary.Forfunatapartyyoucanprovidecoloredpaper, scissors,andglueand letguestsdesignpersonal flagsand shields. Information about heraldry found in books and on the Internet may serve asinspiration.Thedesignscouldbeapplied toskateboards, surfboards, snowboards,andotherequipmentorusedfordecoratinglargeroomsorhallsbyincreasingthesizeofthepatterns.

Youneed:PaperPlateorcompassScissorsPencil

Theshieldsarecutfrompaperfoldedinhalf.Theyellowdiamondsarecutthroughseverallayersplacedontopofoneanother,illustratinghowrepetitivedesignscanbemultiplied.

ALPHABETSOUPPersonalizeagreetingcardorgiftbyarranginglettersofthealphabetinacircularpattern.Cutthe initial of the recipient through several layers of paper and you may be surprised at theresult.Anylettersofthealphabetcanbeusedinthisway,aswellasanysignoftheZodiac.

Youneed:ColoredpaperCard-weightpaperPencilScissorsGlue

1a.Placeeightlayersofpaperinapile.Ifthepaperiscoloredononesideonly,thenallcolorsmustfaceup.

1b.Drawtheoutlineoftheinitialonthetoplayer.1c.Cutitoutthroughalllayers.

2a.Gluethelettersinacircleoncard-weightpaper.2b.CompletedAlphabetSoup.

DRAGONThe dragon is an example of pictorial papercutting as it has been practiced in China forcenturies. Many designs depicting flowers, birds, and scenes from daily life carry deepsymbolicmeanings. For example, in Asia dragons symbolize strength and goodness and arenotconsideredmonsters.

Youneed:RedpaperPencilTracingpaperorphotocopyBlankcardScissorsGlue

SIMPLEDRAGON

1.Copy thedragon,cut itout,andglue itonablankcard.Theeyeof thedragon is reachedfromtheedgeofthepaperwithaslitthatbecomeshiddenwhenthedragonisglueddown.

INTRICATEDRAGONHereisanexampleofanintricatedragonmadebyaChineseartisan.

HUMMINGBIRDLayeringseveralpapercutsontopofoneanothercanleadtoverycolorfuleffects,asseeninthislong-tailedhummingbird.

Youneed:ColorfulpapersPencilTracingpaperorphotocopyScissorsGlueBlankcard

1a.Traceorphotocopyailoutlines.

1b.Cutthemout.

2a.Gluethetwolayerstogetherandthengluethemontoacard.2b.Drawonaneye.2c.CompletedHummingbird.

BUNCHOFGRAPESComposing pictures with torn paper is an old tradition in Japan. In the example shown thegrapes and stem were torn from handmade Japanese washi paper. Its long fibers result insofter,fuzzieroutlinesbutotherpapersmayalsobeused.

Youneed:PurpleandbrownpaperBallpointpenCoinorsmall,round,plasticlidScissorsRubbercementCardorwrappedgift

1a.Onthepurplepaper,outlineacircleforeachgrapebydrawingwithaballpointpenaroundacoinorsmalllid.Presshard.

1b.Pressdownaround theedgeswithyour thumbnailasyou tearout the roundpieces.Thetearmaynotfollowthecircleexactly.

2a.Withaballpointpen,drawastemonthebrownpaper.2b.Carefullytearoutthestem.

3a.Gluethegrapesandstemonthebackground.3b.CompletedBunchofGrapes.

HOPONOVERINVITATION"HoponOver"isagoodmessageforaninvitationbutyoumightalsothinkaboutsendingothermessages to a friend on this frog-themed card. For example, the story of "The NotoriousJumpingFrogofCalaverasCounty"byMarkTwain,whichisgreatfuntoread,caninspirethethemeofyourcard.Oryoucould let theclassicfairytaleof theFrogPrincemoveyouwithasaying such as "Have you been kissed by a frog lately?" or "You have to kiss a few frogsbeforeyoufindyourprince."

Youneed:GreenpaperPencilandtracingpaper,orphotocopyScissorsGlueBlankcardPaperscraps

1a.Copythefrog,cutitout,andglueitonablankcard.1b.Cutouttheeyesandotherdecorationsandgluethemon.2.CompletedHopOnOverInvitation.

THREE-DIMENSIONALCARDSGATECARDSThesecards,whichopen from themiddle insteadof from theside,allow formanyvariations.Theinstructionsshowhowtomakethebasiccard,followedbysuggestionsforenhancingit.

Youneed:Card-weightpaper,8½"x11"(orA4)ScissorsPencilEraser

1.Cutthecardpaperinhalflengthwise.Eachhalfwillmakeonecard.

2a.Markthemiddleofonelongedgelightlywithpencil.2b.Foldthetwonarrowedgestothepencilmark.Erasethemark.

3a.Thisshowsthebasiccardfoldedwithtwoequalflapsonthefront.

3b.CompletedGateCard.

BERIBBONEDCARDThiscardfeatureshandmadetexturedpaperandaribbonclosure.Raffia isattachedto theback of the card with tape, brought around, and tied in front. Narrow ribbonmay also beused.

CUTOUTDECORATIONSGate cards may be designed with mirror images of cutouts glued opposite each other,illustratedwithacardmadebychildreninaChineseschool.

FORYOURVALENTINEMost people know how to cut thewell-loved shape of a symmetrical heart.Here this simpleshapeformsthebasisforaValentine'scard,whichisembellishedwithalacydoilyandribbonin imitation of the elaborate handmade Valentines fashionable in the Victorian era of thenineteenthcentury.

Youneed:RedpaperDoilyTwocoloredpaperstripsBlankcardScissorsGlue

1.Foldapieceofredpaperinhalf.

2a.Drawhalfaheartagainstthefoldededge.2b.Cutonthelinethroughbothlayersofpaperandunfoldit.

3.CompletedHeart.

4.Gluetwohearts,piecesofthedoily,andthepaperstripstoablankcard,asshown.4b.CompletedValentine.

VARIATIONAftercuttingoutaheart,cutanothersmallerone fromthesamecutoutandglue thembothdown.

ROSESAREREDMake thisoversizecard for thatspecialperson inyour life.Whenopened, thecard revealsathree-dimensionalrose.

Youneed:RedtissuepaperGreentissuepaperorgreenmarkerScissorsGluestickCoverstockpaper,11"x8½"(orA4)orlarger,foldedinhalf

1a.Cuttwopiecesofredtissuepaper2"x7"(5cmx18cm).

1b.Cuttwopiecesofredtissuepaper3"x10"(7cmx25cm).

1c.Cutonepieceofredtissuepaper4"x12"(10cmx30cm).

2a.Foldeachofthefivestripsinhalffourtimes,paralleltotheshortedges.2b.Open thepaperand rearrange thecreasesalternatelyupanddown (mountainandvalley

folds).

3.Doubleupeachfanandgluetwosidestogether.

4.Glueall therightsidesof the five fans inside thecard,close toeachother.Themiddlesofthefanssitonthecreaseofthecard.

5.Putglueontheleftsideofthefivefans;thenclosethecard.

6a.Drawastemandleavesongreentissuepaperandcutthemout.6b.Openthecardandgluethestemandleavesbelowtherose.

7.CompletedRosesAreRed.

ADDAGREETINGYou canwrite yourmessageon the front of the card or inside at the sides of the rose.Apatternedpieceofgiftwrapwillenhancethefrontofthecard.

BIRTHDAYPOP-UPOfferinganicesurprisewhenopened,pop-upcardsarealwaysmemorable.The instructionsshowhowtomakethebasicmechanismforabirthdayorweddingcake.Cardstock issold inprintingshopsorcraftandartsupplyshops,butotherstiffpaperwilldo.

Youneed:Coloredcardstock,8½"x11"(orA4),forthecardCardstockinthesamecolor,cutintoastrip1½"x7"(4cmx16cm),forinsidethecardCardstockinanothercolor,forthecakecutoutGlueScissorsPencilorpen

1.Foldthelargepieceofpaperinhalftheshortwayfortheoutsideofthecard.

2a.Foldthestripinhalfandunfoldit.2b.Foldtheshortedgestothecreaseyoujustmade.

3.Putadabofglueonbothendpanelsofthestripandgluethemtotheinsideofthecard.

4.Cardprepared.

5a.Foldtheothercoloredcardstockinhalf.5b.Drawhalfofacakeonthefoldededgeandcutitoutthroughbothlayers.

6a.Unfoldthecakecutoutandpasteittothefrontofthestripinsidethecard.6b.CompletedBirthdayPop-Up.Writeyourmessageonthefrontofthecardoronanyempty

spaceinside.

OTHERTHEMESInstead of a birthday or wedding cake you can substitute a flower, an animal, any othercutoutorphoto.Alwaysmakesurethatthepaperfigureiscompletelyhiddenwhenthecardisclosedsoyoudon'tspoilthesurprise.

CHRISTMASTREECARDThissimplebuteffectiveholidaycardcanbecreatedinminutes.Allmembersofthefamilycanjoininthefunandpersonalizeeachcardwithstars,markers,glitter,andotheradd-ons.

Youneed:Greenfoilgiftwraporagreenpapersquare,whiteonthebackRulerPencilScissorsGlueBlankcard

1a.Cutapieceofgreenpapertomeasure3½"x5"(9cmx13cm)1b.Folditinhalf.1c.Drawalinefromcornertocorner.1d.Cutonthelinethroughbothlayersofpaper.

2a.Cut parallel slits at an angle, beginning at the folded edge and ending about¼" (½ cm)awayfromtheoppositeedge.

2b.Openthepaper.

3a.Folduptheangledcuts.3b.Gluethetreeonablankcard.

4.CompletedChristmasTreeCard.

FIESTACARDMake this dramatic card for a special personor a special occasion.As you tear the variouslayersasshownintheillustration,securethemtemporarilywithtwoorthreeverysmalldabsofrubbercement.Whenthearrangementsuitsyou,pastethemdownwithgluestick.

Youneed:PrintingpapersinvariouscolorsBlankcardGoldfoilgiftwrapBallpointpenScissorsRubbercementorgluestick

1.Tearpiecesofpaperintoirregularstrips,widerthanthecard.

2.Drawandcutasunfromthegoldpaper.

3a.Arrangethestripsonthefrontofthecardandgluethemdown.Sincethestripsarewiderthan the card, you have leeway tomove themaround.Cut any extra off the sides of thecard.

3b.Glueonthesun.3c.CompletedFiestaCard.

POP-UPFORANYOCCASIONAsurpriseiswaitingwhenthiscardisopened.

Youneed:ColoredpaperBlankcardScissorsGlueMarkerorcrayons

1.Foldapieceofcoloredpaperinhalf.

2a.Drawtheoutlineandcutitoutthroughbothlayers.2b.Unfoldthepaper.

3a.Place thepaperso that thecrease isup (amountain fold).Fold theslantededges to thecrease.

3b.Unfoldthem.

4a.Glue the twoareasat the top to the insideof theopenedcard,placing the longmountainfoldonthemiddlecreaseofthecard.

5a.Closethecardslowly,whileatthesametimepullingthepointedcornerforward.5b.Whenthecardisopenednosepopsout.

6.CompletedPop-UpCard.Writethemessageonthefrontandontheemptyspacesinside.

VARIATIONYoucanturnthepop-upintoafacebydrawingeyesonbothsidesofeachcorner,whichwillbecomeanose.

BOXES,BAGS,ANDMORECHRYSANTHEMUMGIFTBOXThisgiftboxdecorationisachievedwithjustafewpiecesoftissuepaper.

Youneed:TissuepaperinoneormorecolorsStapler,orneedleandthreadScissorsGlueGiftbox

1.Cutsixsquaresoftissuepaperwith5"(15cm)sides,orlarger.

2.Placethemontopofoneanotherandstapleorsewthemtogetherinthecenter.

3.Foldthepileinhalf.

4.Cutacurveusingthefoldededgeasthebaseline.

5.Separatethesidesevenlytoshowthestapleorsewing.

6a.Gluethebottomlayerontopofagiftbox.6b.Pullup the top layerandmake itstanduprightbybunchingandpinching itupagainst the

stapleorsewing.6c.Repeatwitheachlayerbypullingthepapergentlytowardthemiddle.

7a.Tweaktheflowerintoapleasingthree-dimensionalshape.7b.Fromthetop,cutsnipsintothelayers.

8.CompletedChrysanthemumGiftBox.

BOOKMARKThecomplexpatternshownon thebookmark isachievedsimplybycuttingparallel linesonafoldedstripofpaper.Patternswillvary,dependingontheangleanddistancebetweenthecutsmadeinstep2a.Paperswithdifferentcolorsonthefrontandthebackwillproduceinterestingeffects.

Youneed:Paper7"x½"(18cmx4cm)Cardstock8"x2½"(20cmx6cm)ScissorsGluestick

1.Foldthepaperstripinhalf.

2a.Makeangledparallelcutsalongthewholelengthofthestrip.Beginthecutsonthefoldededge,stoppingabout½"(½cm)shortoftheoppositeedges.

2b.Unfoldthepapercarefully.

3a. The middle of the paper is made up of chevron (angled) cuts. Crease up every other

chevron.

4.Gluethestriptothepieceofcard.

5.CompletedBookmark.

VARIATIONPunchaholeatthetopandknotonaribbon.

ADDASTRIPForthebookmarkshowninthephotographcutanarrowstripofpaperslightlylongerthanthebookmarkitself.Slideitunderthebent-upsectionsandglueitdown.

GREETINGCARDSANDGIFTBOXESThese bookmarks are equally effective for decorating greeting cards and gift boxes. Theframedboxshownintheillustrationispersonalizedwithaphoto.

SNOWMANGIFTBAGYou can recycle plain paper bags into gift bags by decorating themwith cutouts.By relatingdesignstothespecialinterestsofarecipient,youwillalwaysshowyourfriendlyattention.

Youneed:White,black,andredpaperRoundlidsorcompassPlainpaperbagScissorsPencilGlue

1.Fromwhitepaper,cutthreecirclesindifferentsizeswiththeaidofacompassorroundlids.

2.Fromblackpaper,cutahat,eyes,scarf,andbuttons.

3.Fromredpaper,cutapairofmittens,earmuffs,andanose.

4a.Glueallthepiecesonapaperbag.4b.CompletedSnowmanGiftBag.

REMEMBERDADBOXAny dad would be proud to receive this handmade box as a gift. The leatherlike effect isproducedbycoveringaboxwithpiecesofmaskingtapeandrubbingitwithbrownshoepolish.

Youneed:BoxMaskingtapeScissorsShoepolish(solidcreamtype)PapertowelsWhiteglueSmallpieceofsponge

1.Cutapieceofmaskingtapeabout½"(3cm)square.Adhereittothelidofthebox.Continue

coveringthelidandsidesofthebox,cuttingmorepiecesasyougoalongandoverlappingthepiecesatrandom.Tucktheendsofthetapeinsidethelid.

2a.Withpapertowels,rubshoepolishalloverthelid.Thecoloringwillbedarkerattheedgesofthemaskingtape,wherethepolishaccumulates.

2b.Cleanoffanyexcesspolishwithpapertowels.2c.Spreadglueallover thebox lidwithasmallpieceofsponge.Let theboxdrycompletely,

untiltheglueisnolongerstickytothetouchandbecomestransparent.Repeatwithanotherlayerofglue.

3.CompletedRememberDadBox.

CautionShoe polish can stain clothing and furniture. Children should be closely supervised by anadult.

ENVELOPESIt is a good idea to size cards to fit into standard envelopes, but you can make your ownenvelopesinoddsizesortomatchthecolorofacardbyfollowingthissimplepattern.

Youneed:GreetingcardWhiteorcoloredpaperorgiftwrapPencilScissorsGlue

1a.Cut the paper three times the smaller side of the card. Add extra along the sides, asshown.

1b.Placethecardonthepaperchosenfortheenvelope.

1c.Foldandunfoldthefouredgesoverthecard,leavingsomeleewayeachtime.

2.Cutawaytheareasatthefourcornersasshownbytheshadinginthediagram.

3.Angletheedgesbycuttingawaythedarkerareas.

4a.Foldintheshortedgesonexistingcreases.4b.Spreadgluealongthesidesofthelongerbottomflapandfolduptheflap.4c.Folddownthetopflap.

5.CompletedEnvelope.Sealitwithglue,tape,oraroundseal.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Abigandheartfeltthankyoutofamilymembers,friends,andneighborsfortheirsupportthroughoutthewritingofKirigamiGreetingCardsandGiftWrap.SpecialappreciationtoJackieBooth,wholenther"eye";toCathKachurandJohnAndrison,whowerealwaysreadywithpertinentsuggestions;andtootherswhotestedtheinstructionstohelpprovideclarity.TheFiestaCardwasinspiredbyaninvitationfromtheMingeiInternationalMuseum,SanDiego.Sincethecraftfieldisacontinuum,Iamindebtedtotheage-oldtraditionsfrommanypartsof

theworldonwhichsomeofmyideasanddesignsarebased.