10 Minute Tangram Magnets:

A Tangram is an acient Chinese puzzle made of seven pieces of wood.  I remember getting one when I was about 5 years old.  I may have ate one of the pieces accidentally... there are varying accounts of this in the family lore. 

For this project, if you can cut a straight line, you can complete it in about 10 minutes.  We used a paper trimmer because of insurance regulations regarding giving sharp objects to our interns.

Start with a piece of paper about 4" wide.  Laminate it using a magnetic backing.  Two tangrams can be made from one strip.  Use the pattern above to mark the cutting lines or you can following these steps:

• connect the diagonals
• divide one diagonal into 4 equal segments
• find the midpoint of two outside edge
• connect the dots

Following the lines and cut the pieces.  The only tricky piece is the one of the corner triangle (red arrow).  Start with that piece FIRST.  You'll know why if you don't... it is very easy to end up with eight pieces instead of seven :-)

If you got this far, then all you need is a metal area (fridge, side of the car, etc...) and you have a instant play surface.

There are thousands of possible shapes of animals, people, etc... Send us your favorite. 

We are familiar with glue guns, glue sticks, and double-sided tape.  When we first saw the Xyron 900, we weren't quite sure what to make of it.  

After a quick demo by Beth at the CKC show, we caught on to its possibilities pretty quickly.

Not only will this unit make short work of putting adhesives on the back of delicate paper and intricate cutouts, it will also laminate, and make refrigerator magnets!

In the FirstLook review, we will take a look at this hand-held adhesive applicator/laminator/sticker maker and all its parts.

In the FirstUse review, we'll see just how easy this thing is to use.  If you can't wait, check out the short video clip of it in action at the CKC Scrapbooking Convention :-)

NOTE: The video clip is about 10 MB, so don't try viewing it unless you have a broadband connection :-)

Review:

1. FirstLook

2. FirstUse

Review Summary:

Initial Impression - Well designed

Usability - hand-cranked, portable

Durability - test in progress

Price - $100 

Other Xyron Reviews:

1. DesignRunner

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