Origami Crab 1

Model	: Origami Crab 1
Folding Instruction	:
Photo Instructions	: Origami-club
Video	: Origami-club
Paper	: 5*5 Inch double side coloured origami paper

I wanted to fold a crab and found a few designs.This is a simple origami.Though its not very convincing but yet easy to fold and try.I found the instruction on Origami-club.

Here is the photo instruction of the folds...

Origami Wind Chime/Mobile

This is one of the projects which took a lot of time for collecting material , folding and final assembly especially when you have inquisitive kids around you who love to pick the finished parts :).

Requirement:-

1.	Origami Squares	:	355	:	30*10 Kusudama and 55 for the cranes
2.	Embroidery ring	:	1	:	Plastic ring to keep the weight of final product low
3.	Ribbon	:	1 Pack	:	Approx 12 m
4.	Fishing/Nylon wire	:	As required
5.	Metal Beads	:	10
6.	Glue

This origami mobile has ten Electra kusudama which is stringed to the plastic mobile ring using nylon fishing wire.Each kusudama consists of 30 units.So a total of 300 units goes in for kusudama.

300 pieces of paper to be folded

Few folded units

Work in Progress

All the 10 completed kusudamas 

Then I folded 55 cranes to decorate the strings.I used a metal bead at the bottom of each kusudama to give a little weight to the nylon string.If you wants some sweet sound from the mobile then add a few small bells/ghungroo. So first a bead,then kusudama,then paper crane (number increasing by one each time) stringed to the plastic embroidery ring at equal gaps.To keep the cranes at equal distance on the string and not drop down you can use a glue drop from glue gun or tie knots.

Initial testing for gaps between strings and length of string.

After arranging the strings on the ring and securing them I covered the ring with braided ribbon.

Kusuduma IvaMia

Model	: IvaMia
Design By	: Andrey Hechuev
Website	: Andrey flickr page
Folding Instruction	:
Photo Instructions	: Stranamasterov
Video	: Instruction by Leyla Torres
Paper	: 5*5 Inch one side coloured origami paper

IvaMia kusuduma is designed by Andrey Hechuev.The kusuduma has only 6 units.As I was searching for an easy design which would need less units,fast and easy so that I can make some ornaments for the Christmas tree really fast this fitted in very well and Leyla Torres instruction video was really useful ( Thanks a lot to her ).

This basically uses windmill base.Of the two, folding and assembly sections in kusuduma here folding of the units is easier than the assembly.

The units with face up

Units with face down.

The units can be assembled without glue but are bit tricky so a few clips are required while you assemble.

Assembling the kusuduma.

I used a few my daughters hair clips as I ran out of paper clips and the clothespin were too heavy for my units:P.

Swallow Tail butterfly - Evi Binzinger

Model                   : Swallow Tail butterfly
Design By              : Evi Binzinger(Germany)
Website                 : Evi Binzinger flickr page
Folding Instruction :
    Video                : Instruction by Leyla Torres
Paper                    : 3*3 Inch contrast colored square

Though the butterfly looks simple last few steps become a little difficult for first timers and on small paper.

After finishing the butterfly I have opened up the upper wings again to give the butterfly a different colored upper wings.

Origami Harebell

Model	: Origami Harebell
Design By	: Traditional
Website	: Origami-instructions
Folding Instruction	:
Photo Instructions	: origami-instructions
Video	: Origami Harebell
Paper	: 3*3 inch contrast coloured square

Origami Kapok

Model	: Medium
Design By	: Eagle
Folding Instruction	:
Photo Instructions	: Origami Kapok
Paper	:  10*10 cm both side colored office notes

Origami Cherry Blossom

Model	:Medium
Design By	:Yamaguchi Makoto
Folding Instruction	:
Diagram	:Paperkawaii.com
Paper	:Office memo notes
Units	:5
Assembly	:Interlocking

Origami Cherry Blossom

I had first seen this model on the blog Paperunlimited.But I couldnot find the diagram for the same .The blog post mentioned of diagram appearing in a magazine named "Origami Tanteidan Magazine" to which a comment posted on it pointed to the following link ,but I couldnot make out anything of it.

Recently when I again stumbled upon the page I found another comment pointing to blog Paperkawaii .This has the diagrams of the flower. As I am really poor in following diagrams and haven't folded a single thing for ages , it took me long to understand the basic folds.

After two failed attempts and search for instruction video I found this photo instruction of a variation called Clematis having 7 petals by Yamaguchi Makoto.

The Origami Cherry Blossom is a modular structure with 5 petals.Each unit is folded separately and can be assembled without glue as the units have interlocking system.Though the model looks somewhat flat( at least I thought so)it is bit elevated.

Units of  origami cherry blossom

Another view of the flower

I have used glue to assemble as my units weren't interlocking properly.The final touch I have curled the petals.

Its better to use origami paper than other varieties as thinner paper give a better look.

Origami Cherry Blossom

Origami Rose Kusudama

Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Diagram and Video	: Rose Electra
Paper	: Total units :126
Electra as base	: 30 units :1/4th of 3*3 inch post-it note
Sepals	: 12 units :3*3 inch Post-it note
Petals	: 96 (8 per flower)units: 1/4th of 3*3 inch post-it note

Rose kusuduma consists of  12 modular roses and an electra.There are 126 units in total,12*8 i.e. 96  units for the rose and 30 units of electra.Electra is used as base for the kusudama where you stick on the flowers using glue .

Make sure the electra is big enough to hold the roses.

Few of the roses

Adding roses to the electra

While adding roses to the electra make sure the rose are stacked properly else by the tme you reach to the final rose the space inside the kusudama becomes really crowded.

After adding the roses to the Kusudama

Completed Kusudama with the stash

Here I have added a stash ,a crane and beads.I made this as a mothers day gift for my mom this year.

Daily origami

Looks like I would have to stop the daily origami posts but that doesnot mean I would stop foldng or posting.Its just that my schedules and work are not leaving me enough time for daily origami so I would have to stop it.

It was a wonderful time trying those models and I would continue but no regular updates .... :)

Origami Alexander Aztec butterfly - Design by Michael LaFosse

Day 154 - Origami Alexander Aztec butterfly - Design by Michael LaFosse

Model	: Origami Alexander Aztec butterfly
Design	: Michael LaFosse
Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Book	: Advanced Origami
Video	: Part 1 Part 2 by elsix2006
Paper	: 9*9 inch one side coloured paper.

Another one of the Michael Lafosse butterflies.This one is really nice to look at with the zigzag pattern on the wings this pattern makes it look complicated too,but the fact is its not that complicated.At least you feel so once you have folded Alexander swallowtail Butterfly and Alice Gray Butterfly.

Alexander Aztec Butterfly is a mix of both the above butterflies.It starts with similar folds as the Alice Gray butterfly.

Few Notes:-

• Start with a fairly large paper for the first time.
• The butterfly looks better with contrast coloured paper .
•  I felt the folding for the body of the butterfly are similar to Alice Gray Butterfly and the video by Orgamiancy for the same part s much clearer to understand.
• The Zigzag on the wings though look so complex but are actually easy.
• The part where you have to pull the paper in the upper wing for shaping it take care not to damage the model.

Video:-

Origami Alice Gray Butterfly - Design by Michael LaFosse

Day 153 - Origami Alice Gray Butterfly - Design by Michael LaFosse

Model	: Origami Alice Gray Butterfly
Design	: Michael LaFosse
Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Diagram	: Diagram by J.C Nolan
Book	: Advanced Origami
Video	: Origamiancy
Paper	: 9*9 inch one side coloured paper.

Earlier I had tried Michael LaFosse's Alexandar swallowtail butterfly .The instruction for this butterfly was available on the website by Michael LaFosse.

There were many more wonderful butterflies modeled by Michael Lafosse which I wanted to fold but could not find the instruction online neither I am that good at following the diagrams.Finally after one and a half years of folding Alexander swallowtail butterfly I found this video on YouTube by origamiancy for the model Alice Gray Butterfly by Michael Lafosse.The video was up by 2009 and I found it now that show how good I am at searching things on internet.

The instructions are quite clear.One thing to take care of ,is the instructions in the video starts with colour side up but if you want your butterfly to be colourful then start with White side up.

By the time your are finished the paper in the middle forming the body of the butterfly becomes so thick that its difficult to make further folds and it may rip so take care while folding it.

Video:-

Origami High Heel shoes - 1

Day 152 - Origami High Heel shoes - 1

Model	: Origami High Heel shoes - 1
Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Video	: okakuku
Paper	:3*3 inch one side coloured square

Yesterday it was a 2D High Heel shoes which I wasn't that happy to fold so today here is another version of the high heel shoe which I found on YouTube.Though there are a lot of high heel shoes video on YouTube most of them are too fast to follow.This video is fast too but kind of better than others.You need to have real Patience to stop the video every now and then to follow the instructions but the end result is worth it.

This one is a 3D model which looks like the barbie high heel shoes.

Video:-

Origami Heel Shoes

Day 151 - Origami Heel Shoes

Model	: Origami Heel Shoes
Design	: Traditional
Complexity	: Simple
Folding Instruction
Diagram	: Origami-club
Paper	:3*3 inch one side coloured square

Origami Heel shoes starts with a kite base.I would suggest to make it with a smaller paper instead of a big one.Though the model is 3D its better to be called a 2D as you can flatten and stick it on cards.If kept a 3D model it stands and gives a 3D view in the front view only .

Origami Basket

Day 150 - Origami Basket

Model	: Origami Basket
Design	: Traditional
Complexity	: Simple
Folding Instruction
Photo instruction	: Orgami Mommy
Paper	:3*3 inch contrast coloured square

It's cute little basket which can be made in a very little amount of time.The model requires glue to fix the handle.Its made out of single square piece of paper.

Origami Penguin by Jo Nakashima

Day 149 - Origami Penguin by Jo Nakashima

Model	: Origami Penguin by Jo Nakashima
Design	: Jo Nakashima
Complexity	: Difficult
Folding Instruction
Video	: Jo Nakashima
Paper	:15 * 15 cm one side coloured square

One more from Jo Nakashima.A wonderful 3D penguin .This one is bit difficult but not too tough.The tough part is the precrease.One needs to have a lot of patience ( of course I have very little patience which is evident from the penguin I have folded).

Only suggestion is do start with a big piece of paper else it becomes difficult to follow the creases.

Origami Maple Leaf

Day 148 - Origami Maple Leaf

Model	: Origami Maple Leaf
Design	: Traditional
Complexity	: Simple
Folding Instruction
Diagram	: Origami-club
Animation	: Origami-club
Paper	:3*3inch one side coloured square

A very simple model for maple leaf .It uses the standard Origami bird base.The flaps of the bird base are turned into the leaf.

You would need a small piece of paper and a little glue to make the stem attached to the leaf.

Origami Tote Bag

Day 147 - Origami Tote Bag

Model	: Origami Tote Bag
Complexity	: Simple
Folding Instruction
Diagram	: Origam-club
Animation	: Origami-club
Photo instruction	: Origami-instructions.com
Paper	:3*3 one side coloured square paper

Origami Tote Bag is a kirigami model as you need to cut for bringing out the handle of the bag.Its a simple model with hardly a 5 to 6 steps.

Use stiffer paper if you want to use it as a bag and also add a little glue to fix the final fold.You can use flowers to decorate it too or make it out of patterned paper.

Origami rose - 1

Day 146 - Origami Rose - 1

Model	: Origami Rose 1
Complexity	: Simple
Folding Instruction
Photo instruction	: stranamasterov.ru
Paper	: 8 squares of 3*3 inch Post-it note

Units made of 1/4 of 3*3 inch Post-it note

One more of the roses.As I was never so successful with the standard rose models I always try to make some different formats of rose like the modular ones.

This is a modular rose with 8 units made of square paper.The units are interlocked by the inbuilt pockets

3*3 inch Post-it note units

The units need the simple kite base just that the left flap is folded back.Use both side same coloured paper.3 units are first arranged to make the bud and the rest 5 to make the outer circle.The petals are bit rolled to give them the flower look.

Both large and small rose

Origami kusudama - 1

Day 141,142,143,144,145 - Origami kusudama - 1

Model	: Origami Kusudama-1
Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Diagram and Video	: Paper world Mary
Paper	: Total units :138
Electra as base	: 30 units :1/4th of 3*3 inch post-it note
Sepals	: 12 units :3*3 inch Post-it note
Petals	: 96 (8 per flower)units: 1/4th of 3*3 inch post-it note

This is a cute model but the number of units make it a bit scarry .Ok its not that tough neither it takes as long as I have taken .It's easy model with a lot of gluing.As I was busy with other work it took me longer to complete the model.

The model needs both side coloured square paper of varying size.The electra units and petals can be of same size.As mentioned above I have used 1/4 of 3*3 inch post it notes for the electra units and petals and 3*3 inch post-it notes for the sepals.

Electra makes a good base for the kusudama where you stick on the flowers using glue ,so a lot of gluing.The sepals have similar folding as the iris flower with a little use of scissors so you may say its kirigami.The petals are the easiest to fold of the three.

If you notice carefully its a lotus and would look like a perfect lotus if you add few more layers of petals.

Electra as base

Flowers to be added to the kusudama

Completed Kusudama

Origami Electra

Day 138,139,140 - Origami Electra

Model	: Origami Electra
Design	: David Mitchell
Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Diagram	: Part 1 Part 2
Book	: Paper Crystals Enchanting Ornaments Folding
Video	: "How to make these !! " by barbabellaatje
Paper	:1/4 of 3*3 inch post-it note

Origami Electra Icosidodecahedron Kusudama is designed by David Mitchell.This model requires 30 modules made out of square sheets and the modules have in built pockets which help in assembly.

Though Origami Electra looks tough to build and some what like some chemistry molecular structure but trust me it's not that tough and this model can be used as base for many other kusuduma.

In fact I actually went on building this model to make the base for my next kusudama.I had seen this model earlier but never felt like building it as due to the complex look.

Origami Electra

I have used 1/4 of 3*3 Inch post-it notes as I wanted to make a small model.Assembly is done using glue( the model assures that the inbuilt pockets are good enough to keep the pieces together ) as my units were small and I didn't want to take a risk.

Use both side coloured paper for the model.

Video :-