How to Make a Magic Spinning Kirigami Card

Grab the free template from the link in the video description. It shows a diamond shape made of concentric nested squares with two types of lines on it: solid black lines that you cut all the way through, and colored lines that you score only partway. Print it onto regular paper and look it over carefully before you transfer it to your cardstock.

Place your printed template on top of a sheet of colored cardstock and trace all the lines lightly with a pencil. Transfer paper works too if you have it. Center the diamond design on the cardstock with even margins on each side. Set it on your cutting mat before you start - you want the paper positioned correctly before the first cut goes down.

Using a craft knife and metal ruler, cut along all the solid black diagonal lines - these go completely through the cardstock. These are the structural cuts that create the ring strips forming the spinning design. Work from one side to the other, keeping your cuts clean and straight. A sharp blade makes a big difference on cardstock this thick.

Now work along the shorter colored lines. Cut in from each edge but stop about a third of the way across the paper - do NOT cut all the way through. These partial cuts weaken the paper so each ring bends in the right direction when you open the card. Score in from one side to the center, then score in from the opposite side to the center. This step is what makes the spinning effect work.

Pick up the cardstock and slowly open it from the center fold. The cut strips will rise away from the flat surface as nested square rings. Tease each layer apart gently with your fingers. You should see a series of concentric square frames connected at the corners. If a small tear appears at a score line, that's fine - the paper is bending exactly where it's supposed to.

Hold one outer edge in each hand and gently push your hands toward each other. The rings rotate and twist as they compress, alternating direction to create the spiral effect. Work each ring with your fingers to encourage it to fold the right way. The more you open and close the card, the smoother the motion gets - the paper memory improves with each repetition.

Hold both outer edges and slowly pull them apart - the rings cascade outward in a spinning spiral. Open and close it as many times as you like. The card folds completely flat for mailing or storing in an envelope. Write your message on the back before you seal it up. It's the kind of card people keep on their desk instead of throwing away.