Customer Reviews

2004 Kirigami Fold & Cut-A-Day Calendar

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was disappointed when the 2003 version of this calendar sold out before I bought it, so I got the 2004 version as soon as it came out in September. I like it so much that I've already cut out the pages for October 2004, but that's OK because I'll just buy the 2005 version next September and use that instead!

DETAILS:
Each page is preprinted with a design template and folding directions. Each month is printed on a different color paper, and many of the designs contain seasonal or holiday motifs; for example, the October pages are orange, and the designs that incorporate shapes of pumpkins, cats, and spiders make great Halloween decorations.

PROS:
I like it because it's both functional AND fun, and good for all ages (however, many of the cuts would be difficult for kids, and some are even a challenge for adults.)

Once you're cut a page, you can make duplicates of it by refolding it and tracing onto another piece of paper. After you've done several of the projects, you will get an idea of how the designs work and you can start designing your own.

The cut designs can be used as holidays decorations, embellishments on gifts, and for making greeting cards, decoupaged furniture, and mobiles. Many are even pretty enough to be framed!

CONS:
None, really, unless you hate crafts or don't care what day it is.

TIPS:
Although regular scissors work well, I recommend using a good/new pair of decoupage or paper-cutting scissors for the more intricate designs.

An idea for really crafty cutters: save your scraps, cut shapes from them with mini craft punches, and use them to embellish your cut-outs!

As an introduction to the craft of Kirigami, this page-a-day calendar is a lot of fun. Each daily page is backed with brightly colored glossy paper and contains a folding/cutting template. When the day is done, fold and cut the page using the template to produce a beautiful paper design using the next day's instructions and tips. There is a set of tabbed reference pages that sits behind the calendar to provide information on the basic folds. Every page has a new pattern, and some of them get quite intricate. There is a more elaborate project for each weekend. The designs you create can be displayed as-is or used for embellishing scrapbooks, gift wrap, greeting cards, etc.

The only criticism I have about this product is its use as a desk calendar. The box folds out to produce a calendar stand that is not too stable and that does not hold the pages as upright as other desk calendars. It might have been more functional if it were supported by a traditional plastic easel and if the pages were tear-off instead of loose. But it does clearly list the date and holidays and is great as a calendar for papercraft lovers. I also recommend this manufacturer's Origami calendar.

I've always had problems following origami instructions, even though I'm very adept visually, so I was thrilled to see an easy introduction to this other, less well-known (in the US) Japanese papercraft. We got it last night and I have already mastered the basic "snowflake" fold and my daughters have enjoyed cutting. We like it so much that we might "risk" getting the Origami calender to see if I can master Origami this year to add to my enjoyment of Hypergami.org crafts.

The same company has a Scrapbooking calender that looks really fun.

I agree that this calendar is very unstable for use as a calendar. However, for use as a distraction device for active 5-year-old boys, I have found it to be a lifesaver. My son is heartily entertained during an hour of church every Sunday by just cutting out his shapes. Sometimes they look so fun I even steal them away from him. I'm going to order another box to help make a long plane ride shorter. Yes, it does make for a bit of a mess in the church pew, but this calendar's worth its weight in gold.