Folding Trees

Review & Contest: Easy Cut Pop-up Cards

Don’t forget to enter the contest at the end of this post!

Kirigami is a Japanese art similar to origami, but with kirigami you cut the paper as well as folding it, making it easier to create more complex shapes. Easy Cut Pop-up specialize in unique pop-up cards patterns with beautiful kirigami designs, such as the above koala and joey card. All their designs look wonderful, but are they really easy to make? I was given the opportunity to try one of their patterns, so I can now answer that question for you with this review!

I downloaded my pattern, the Hummingbird pattern, as a pdf file. The file includes the pattern pages and pages with pictorial instructions. The website also includes links to YouTube videos of each model being assembled - what a great idea! I would recommend you watch the video all the way through before you start your model, to get some familiarity with the process.

To begin, you need 3 or 4 sheets of letter-sized cardstock (you could probably also use heavyweight paper).

June’s Tip: at my local craft store, the only letter-sized cardstock I could find came in packs of 50 or 100 sheets, and the colours weren’t great either. Try checking out the scrapbooking section, which has individual sheets of paper and cardstock, in a much wider range of colours, patterns and textures. I bought 3 sheets of 12″x12″ scrapbook paper and trimmed them down to 8.5″x11″. Much cheaper, and I got to pick the colours I really wanted!

Print the pattern pages directly onto your cardstock. Score the sheets along all the dashed lines, then fold each sheet in half along the marked fold. Cut along all the solid lines with scissors, cutting through both thicknesses of cardstock. The scoring took only seconds to complete. The cutting took a little longer, because it pays to cut accurately along the lines. The advantage of these designs is that, as each piece is symmetrical, you cut both sides at once, saving on half the cutting!

June’s Tip: make sure you have some comfortable, sharp scissors to cut the cardstock with. My scissors weren’t comfortable to begin with, and my hand was hurting by the end. In any of your crafting, if your hand does start to hurt, TAKE A BREAK.

hummingbird pop-up card in progress

Now for the fine folding and assembly. Fold all the pieces along each fold line. This was the only step I had a slight problem with - I couldn’t figure out whether to make one fold forwards or backwards. It was easily solved though - I just revisited the YouTube video, skipped through to the part I was stuck on, and found the answer within a few seconds. Assembly was very simple - the pieces are cleverly designed to slot together easily.

And wow… the result is amazing! It really was quick and easy to make. This is my finished hummingbird card:

hummingbird pop-up card made by planetjune

I have never made a pop-up card or done kirigami before, and this pattern made the process really simple. I highly recommend Easy Cut Pop-Up card patterns if you want to make spectacular, unique cards for your friends and family (there is even an option to print your own message on the front of the card!), or display the finished cards as beautiful artwork.

And now for the contest! Easy Cut Pop-up are generously giving away one of their patterns (winner’s choice) to a lucky Folding Trees reader! To enter, visit the Easy Cut Pop-up site and pick your favourite design, then leave a comment on this post before Tuesday August 26th at 8pm EST, and let us know which pattern you would like if you win. The winner will be announced on the site on Wednesday August 26th, and will be e-mailed with a link so they can download their free pattern. Good luck!

UPDATE: The contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered! The winner will be announced tomorrow morning…

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Posted: August 20th, 2008 under Cards, Papercutting.
Comments: 47

Comments

Comment from kris
Time: August 20, 2008, 7:08 am

So hard to choose! But I think I will go with the stork and baby. I have lots of friends that are having babies, so this will come in handy!

Comment from kristel
Time: August 20, 2008, 7:18 am

Let me be the first to enter. I love the papercut Geisha on their site! But it was very hard to choose one. They’re all so lovely.
By the way: I love your blog. It is a daily read for me. Keep going on!

Comment from Julia
Time: August 20, 2008, 7:43 am

So hard to choose….

But for me it is so sweet Koala and Joey, it has something special!

It reminds a lot of wonderful patterns in there call me traitor !!!

Julia

Comment from Chris
Time: August 20, 2008, 8:13 am

Beautiful! I’d love Butterfly Dance. So pretty.

Comment from Michelle
Time: August 20, 2008, 8:50 am

They are all lovely, but I think I’d get the most use out of the Water Lilly.

Great work on your hummingbird!

Comment from Sacha
Time: August 20, 2008, 9:07 am

Stork and baby! Stork and baby!

Comment from Celine
Time: August 20, 2008, 9:34 am

the koala and her joey is so cute !

Comment from Amanda
Time: August 20, 2008, 10:20 am

It’s so hard to pick just one, but I think my favorite is the “butterfly dance”.

Comment from Sammi
Time: August 20, 2008, 10:48 am

Oh, my, looking through them all is a treat itself… I think the Fisherman card is my favorite though. I have a friend who watches Deadliest Catch with me long distance, and we chat over messenger, and it would be so fun to send her a fishing card like that!

Comment from Kari
Time: August 20, 2008, 12:18 pm

I think my fave is dancing crane, but there’s so many beautiful designs, it’s really hard to pick just one!

Comment from Mary Zimmerman
Time: August 20, 2008, 12:39 pm

They are all so lovely! I like the milking maids best, but a close second would be any of the flowers.

Comment from Angela
Time: August 20, 2008, 1:04 pm

I love the dancing crane. I am so obsessed with cranes, so it’s perfect!
And by the way, thank you so much. I totally love your website!

Comment from Emily
Time: August 20, 2008, 1:07 pm

Those finger puppets are completely amazing.

Comment from Kimberly
Time: August 20, 2008, 1:46 pm

Oh my, this is stunning! I quickly jumped to the butterflies. Stunning. Ferngully is amazing!!

On a side note, thank you for featuring my fortune cookies. I am honored and appreciative!

Comment from Miika
Time: August 20, 2008, 2:00 pm

What wonderful patterns! If I had to choose one, it would be the panda in the bamboo forest. So cute!

Comment from Jessica
Time: August 20, 2008, 2:07 pm

I love the fisherman! The flowing lines are so beautiful!

Comment from Susan Bluerobot
Time: August 20, 2008, 3:10 pm

I think i would love to win the OWL

Comment from Carol
Time: August 20, 2008, 5:48 pm

Oh…to choose!? How about the hibiscus!

Comment from Kym
Time: August 20, 2008, 7:04 pm

So many great designs! My favourite is the dancing crane.

Comment from Karen
Time: August 20, 2008, 8:08 pm

I love the twelve days of christmas, such an original idea for a present, but as a single pattern my favourite is the Clear Skies butterfly, simple and stunning.

Comment from Cre
Time: August 20, 2008, 8:09 pm

Oh, my goodness! My daughter is on a “Save the Panda” crusade, she would so love the “Panda in the Bamboo Forest”.

The designs are just wonderful! Good luck to everyone!

Comment from LORRAINE
Time: August 20, 2008, 10:28 pm

I’ve always been partial to pandas so I would go with Panda in the Bamboo Forest”.

Comment from Joyce Tubbs
Time: August 21, 2008, 1:01 am

I love all the flowers, but especially the orchid.

Comment from knitmomma
Time: August 21, 2008, 5:50 am

Oh, they are LOVELY! I think Lion and Cubs would be my favorite…I often think my husband’s symbol should be a dignified lion!

Comment from Andrea
Time: August 21, 2008, 6:43 am

This looks like a great art. I would love the Koala and joey if I won. I may even buy it anyway.
thanks for sharing with us.
Andrea

Comment from Melissa
Time: August 21, 2008, 8:50 am

The Butterfly Dance pattern is for me. I love butterflies!

Comment from evie
Time: August 21, 2008, 9:53 am

Oh my gosh they are all beautiful works of art. I think the Eagle would be perfect for scouting and scripture Yes that would be the pattern I would use the most. You have a beautiful gift.

Comment from Nancy
Time: August 21, 2008, 10:21 am

They’re all so beautiful, but I would pick the dancing crane.

Comment from Kirsten
Time: August 21, 2008, 2:28 pm

They are all so beautiful & it’s very difficult to choose, but I would love the hummingbird.

Comment from Erin
Time: August 21, 2008, 4:15 pm

I love the butterfly dance patter! These look amazing!

Comment from Maya
Time: August 21, 2008, 8:38 pm

I think the panda is really awesome!

Comment from Heather
Time: August 22, 2008, 1:58 pm

I like the dancing crane.

Comment from Leslie
Time: August 22, 2008, 2:20 pm

What wonderful designs! One of my favorites is Chief. I have some Native American friends who will be in town in October, and it would be great to make this for them.

Comment from Brande
Time: August 22, 2008, 2:35 pm

I love the hummingbird!

Comment from Amber
Time: August 22, 2008, 5:35 pm

Thanks for the information!
I’ve been wondering how hard those cards were to make after seeing them a few months ago.

I love the Hibiscus, its gorgeous.

Comment from Julie
Time: August 23, 2008, 12:45 am

I love the Panda in the Bamboo Forest one! Too cute!

Comment from Rayleen
Time: August 23, 2008, 10:54 pm

Those are so gorgeous! Hard to choose, but I think the waterlily is my fave.

Comment from Janee
Time: August 24, 2008, 9:51 am

Wow! These patterns are incredible; can’t wait to try them out. For the contest, I choose the fly fishing pattern. What fun. Thanks.

Comment from mayaluna
Time: August 24, 2008, 3:41 pm

I loved their entire collection, but the owl in flight was my favorite instantly! I loved the thought of cutting out individual feathers for those outstretched wings! Wow!

Comment from Amanda
Time: August 25, 2008, 1:47 pm

My favourite is the dancing crane! So cool!

Comment from Cindy
Time: August 25, 2008, 4:34 pm

Beautiful! I like the butterfly dance.

Comment from Patricia
Time: August 25, 2008, 7:21 pm

I’m visiting your site at the suggestion of maya*made, and there’s so much here to LOVE! I checked out the kirigami site you suggested as well, and the Dancing Crane was my favorite.

Comment from gardienne
Time: August 26, 2008, 10:44 am

They are all beautiful! I think my favorite is the panda in the bamboo forest.

BTW I’ve really been enjoying reading your site!

Comment from MeiL
Time: January 17, 2009, 2:33 am

It’s really great. Can I ask for a favor? I entered the website but it seems impossible for me to find the download part. I really want to make one for my bf but there’s no instruction for me to follow. Can u show me where the download part is? I’ll be very appriciated!

Comment from June
Time: January 17, 2009, 8:34 am

MeiL, if you like the pattern, you can purchase it - and lots of other kirigami patterns - from the Easy Cut Pop-Up site

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