Let's Make Kirigami Trees

Kirigami Trees

You don't need to use origami paper to make these puppies. I used parchment paper and a sheet of 24 lb red paper and copied a black design on the red paper. However, parchment is really slippery so I wouldn't recommend you use parchment if you are a newbie to origami folding.

Kirigami is a genesis of origami. The moment you pull out your scissors the method is referred to as kirigami.

I have found a video that will help you with the squash fold steps. The video (it has a trunk and a star)  is a bit different than my tutorial you can find it here.

Materials:
Small Sharp Scissors
Paper Cutter
Sheet of Coloured Paper 8 1/2 by 11"
Bone Folder or a small butter knife
Paper clips (optional)
Bamboo Skewer (optional)

Directions:
1. Using your paper cutter cut out 2 squares 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches. Make sure that the paper is square as this will make it much easier to fold precisely. Save the scrap as you can always use it for borders on other projects like the chalet container.

2. Orient your paper so that the pattern is face down. In most cases this is the starting point for most origami models.

3. Turn your paper on the diagonal. We are going to make a water bomb base fold.

4. Fold the tips together to make an triangle. You might find this a bit awkward at first so go ahead use a few paper clips to hold the tips together. Starting at the centre set your crease with your bone folder. Open the fold.

5. Repeat the fold for the other two tips and open the paper.

6. Flip your paper over to the pattern side orienting the paper so you can fold the paper to make a rectangle. Repeat the fold on the opposite side

It should look like this:

7. Holding the front triangle in both hands collapse the model by squeezing the front triangle to the opposite triangle at the back of the model. 

Reinforce the folds by using your bone folder to ensure the model is flat.

You have just created the water bomb base fold. You can make the New Years Fascinator from this base.

8. Holding your left hand on the two left flaps you will notice that the right hand flap pops up a bit. This is the first flap we will be creating a squash fold. Using your right index finger place it inside the flap as far as you can reach. Using you left index finger starting at the tip start squashing the fold ensuring you slowly remove your right finger from the inside of the flap. 

Before setting your fold flip over the model to make sure the tip is centred. It should look like an upside down kite.

9. Next fold the kite in half with the right flap folding unto the left flap.

10. Repeat the squash fold with the next right hand flap and fold the kite in half  left flap folding onto the right flap. 

11. Flip the model over keeping the big flaps on the right hand side of the model. 

Repeat the squash folds and finish the fold first kite right to left. Second kite left to right. Your model should look like this:

You should have 4 flaps on each side of the model.

We are finished folding and now ready to cut the model. I'll post the kirgami bit next Monday.

Have a great Friday!

Designing Women - 12 Days of Christmas

I am so excited my kirigami chalet design has been picked up by our local scrapbook store "Family Matters".Deb Jackson has been so easy to work with and this has been a true collaboration.

The design and concept has evolved over the past month and we really got excited when we saw the Graphic 45 paper set "12 Days of Christmas". The little chalets work perfectly with this exceptional scrapbook paper.

Scrapbook Paper - Graphic 45

What we love about the little chalets is they can be used for different Christmas crafts. Build a tea light village or stocking stuffer containers or a mini advent calendar with 12 days.

You can check out Deb's store Family Matters Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts here.

We'll also have a surprise pack giveaway draw for early bird class participants.That's how excited we are about this class project.