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.

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 :-

Origami Rose cube

Day 124,125 - Origami Rose cube

Model	: Origami Rose Cube
Design	: Valerie Vann
Complexity	: Medium
Folding Instruction
Video	: Jonakashima
Paper	: Post-it neon papers
Units	: 6 units.3 of each colour of same size

This is an interesting model made out of 6 units ,3 units of each colour.The units are assembled by interlocking.It is a cube which can be transformed into a rose with few simple steps,thus making the model interesting.

Though it's a simple model it took me a lot of time to understand it and give it shape.First suggestion is to use a both side same coloured square paper.If the paper is one side coloured then the white side would get exposed as below.

The cube out of the one side coloured papers

The rose on opening the cube

Then I tried with post-it notes here's the result.

Cube

Rose out of the cube made of post- it notes

Though it's not perfect it's somewhat OK I believe.

Video :-



Some important points to take care of :-

• Be patient while folding the units and follow the video carefully. I skipped a few steps which led to re folding.
• The above video uses a double side same coloured paper so one needs to follow the steps carefully.
• The Green/leaves modules are a bit differently folded as compared to the red once.
• once you finish a module make sure you have 2 pockets.This is necessary for the final cube formation.
• While opening the cube to metamorphoses to rose be careful not to rip it.you will have to open 2 rounds to get the final model.

Origami Venus Kusudama

Day 118,119,120,121 - Origami Venus Kusudama

Model	: Origami Venus Kusudama
Design	: Traditional
Complexity	: Medium
Other details	: Modular Origami : 36 Units made of squares
Folding Instruction
Diagram	: Ocantinhodacris-artes
Video	: 1petiteSorciere
Book	: Kusudama: Ball Origami
Paper	: Neon cloured post it notes

As I am a lazy person it took me 4 days to fold the units and put them together. This kusudama is named “Venus Kusudama” in YAMAGUCHI Makoto’s book Kusudama Ball Origami.Various tutorials ask to make 36-40 modules.I have made 36 modules for the kusudama.Each module is made of a square piece of paper which needs to be folded - opened - reverse folded.The reverse folding on the creases made is the only part where you may face difficulty.You will get four points which you need to tuck in if you are not careful it would open up the module.The modules are held together with string.You can also use glue but I feel string is better.

I have used neon coloured Post-it Notes for the model.I would suggest to use both side same coloured or contrast coloured paper for the model.

It is same as the Pluto model with the points folded in.The folds are some what similar to the units of Origami Butterfly kusudama or you may find some similarity with the origami iris/lily.First time when I tried to create this model I followed a tutorial which asked to create 60 modules and it was glue fixed .The end result was really bad but this time I followed a simpler version with 36 modules and sewed instead of gluing.

Video:-


Some more video links :-
Tadashimori - single unit folding
Tadashimori - How to sew the units together?

Origami Pluto Kusudama

Day 96,97,98,99 - Origami Pluto Kusudama

Hmm... This one took me 4 days to complete. This kusudama is named “Pluto Kusudama” in YAMAGUCHI Makoto’s book Kusudama Ball Origami.It needs to create 40 module for the kusudama.Each module is made of a square piece of paper which needs to be folded - opened - reverse folded.The reverse folding on the creases made is the only part where you may face difficulty.The modules are held together with string.You can also use glue but I feel string is better.

Few units of the Pluto Kusudama

I have used neon coloured Post-it Notes for the model.I would suggest to use both side same coloured or contrast coloured paper for the model.

If the points of the modules are folded inside then it becomes Venus Kusudama.The folds are some what similar to the units of Origami Butterfly kusudama or you may find some similarity with the origami iris/lily

Folding Instructions:-

Diagram:-
You can find the diagram on this Portuguese blog ocantinhodacris-artes .

Video:-
On the youtube channel by 1petiteSorciere you can find instruction video for the module of origami pluto kusudama.


Book:-

Origami Kusudama (by Nina Ostrum)

Day 93 - Origami Kusudama (Nina Ostrum)

This is a simple,modular origami model designed by Nina Ostrum.It needs 6 units for the module.

Units of the kusudama

I have used 3*3 inch one side coloured paper for the model but I would suggest/advice to use a double side coloured paper as the final model after assemblage exposes the other side of the paper.

The assembly of the units does not require glue as the pockets made by the fold are good enough to hold the units together properly.

Things to take care while folding this model.

1. A bit thicker paper to be used.
2. Double side coloured paper.
3. Sink of the triangle top needs to be done carefully else it would tear .

Origami Nina Ostrum kusudama

Folding Instructions:-

Diagram:-
Origaminut.com

Video:-

The following video on the youtube channelorigaminut is good enough to follow.



If you are not okay with this tutorial you may try the tutorial on the youtube channel barbabellaatje

Origami Poinsettia

Day 88 - Origami Poinsettia



Origami Poinsettia is a modular flower but its not pure origami as it needs glue to put the petals together so also the leaves.

This model requires three units for the flower and three units for the base leaves.I have used 3*3 inch light green square papers for the leaves units and 1/4th of 3*3 inch square one side red coloured paper for the units of the flower.

Well I suppose a bit bigger squares for the units of the flower would have been better for the size of the leaves I have made.

It's really simple and it makes a nice flower for the cards.

I suppose of the various origami poinsettia models available this is one of the simplest .

Folding instructions:- origami-club

Origami Tomoko fuse Espiral

Day 79 - Origami Tomoko Fuse Espiral

Origami Tomoko fuse espiral is a modular origami model.It has 4 units.The modules are really simple to fold so is the model.This model is created by Tomoko Fuse and the design is found in her book Let's Fold Spirals.The book is in Japanese but the instructions are pretty much self explanatory

It needs big square sheets of paper.They can be single side coloured or double side coloured.I would suggest to use big one side clouyred square papers and preferably the four units of different colour as it looks really good if the modules are of different colour.

You can follow the video by Origamiancy



This video is really easy to follow.It has the tutorial for both the units and the final assembly of the units to get the sprial.

The actual fold in this model start while assembling and not in the units.It doesnot use glue to assemble the units rather it uses folding :)

Here is my Espiral.

Origami curler cuboctahedron kusudama

Day 76,77 - Origami curler cuboctahedron kusudama

Origami curler units are really simple and fast to make .They start with origami waterbomb base.

For a cuboctahedron kusudama you need 12 curler units .Sounds easy ,right!But hold on the assembly of the units is not that easy.It took me a day to understand the assembly and once I understood I felt it was easy.

Few of the curler units

I have used the Neon post it 3*3 inch papers for the curler units and the assembly doesnot require glue .I suppose that is one of the best things .

A suggestion to first timers is to use 3 differnt colours so that you can understand the assembly of the units though its not that necessary but thats just a suggestion.

Final curler cuboctahedron kusudama

Video Instruction:-
This is a nice video which teaches both the curler units and the curler cubotahedron kusudama.

Origami Iris Kusudama

Day 69,70,71,72 - Origami Iris Kusudama

Origami Iris Kusudama is made of 12 + 12 a total of 24 modules.The modules are the simple origami iris or origami lily .I never knew they can be made into a kusudama but thanks to the tutorial by barbabellaatje on youtube.

This kusudama may not be called as pure origami as it requires glue but you can try your hand on it.

To start with you need 12 iris to make the ball and 12 more are required to make a second layer. I have made 12 origami lily of variation type of green colour for the ball and 12 traditional lilies of orange colour to make the second layer.

The 12 liles are glued to each other in such a way that the 12 lilies make 6 squares and 8 triangles basically a cuboctahedron to make the ball.Once the ball is done its just putting the second layers to give the finishing touch.

The gluing part is really cumbersome and one needs to have patience for the same also a good glue specially when your units are small ( as in my case ). As my flowers are small I glued them first and then made the ball.

Folding Instructions:-
Video:-

Origami Kusudama star

Day 28 - Origami Kusudama star
This can be considered modular origami.The modules for this kusudama were discussed in yesterday's post.This is the 1 st variation.

The model use the simple origami bases such as the book fold, the cupboard fold and windmill base. You need 6 sheets.The Kusudama contains 6 modules which are held together by glue .Gluing is bit cumbersome when the modules are really small.

The model in the pic has each module made of 1/4 of 3*3 inch 1 side coloured paper. I needed a toothpick to open the petals.

It makes a good ornament for the Christmas tree.You need to add thread to the model to make it hanging :P

Folding Instructions:-
Diagram:-
Oriland - Kusudama Star

Book:-
 Origami x-mas ornaments

Kusudama - Butterfly

This kusudama is named “Butterfly Kusudama” in YAMAGUCHI Makoto’s book Kusudama Ball Origami.It has 60 units which consists of 12 flowers of 5 petals each.Its a glue fix model.

My first butterfly kusudama...
This is made of thicker paper using Post-it Notes of fluorescent orange and green colour.I haven't yet perfected the joins .





My next Butterfly kusudama :-
12 flowers made of 12 different colours.
Paper Origami sheets of 4.5 Inches Square one side blank.The squares are cut into 4 pieces each for making smaller flowers.





Link for Diagram:

Butterfly Kusudama diagram pic from book
Butterfly kusudama animated This isn't working anymore

Video :-
Here is one video on it by DreamRosebud on youtube