The Stellated Dodecahedron, commonly called the Bascetta Star is a very popular modular origami and was designed by Paolo Bascetta. This spiky star becomes especially famous during the Christmas season. Though there is still some time for Christmas, I decided to give this a go.

It is a very simple design to work on and will be a good one for beginner origamist who wish to do some modular origami. As with most modular origami, folding the individual modules is an easy job and creating the star from the modules is slightly more complicated.

The design works best with dual coloured paper.

Model Details:

Model: Stellated Dodecahedron (Bascetta Star)

Creator: Paolo Bascetta

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inches

Number of Modules: 30 Units

Tutorial Link: Youtube

While I really do not understand this passion that most origamists have for folding birds and animals, I did not want to be left behind when it came to folding them :) And since I love dogs very much, when I came across this Scottish Terrier by Peterpaul Forcher, I decided to give it a go.

It wasn't a piece of cake and I was not able to fold it well during the first couple of attempts. But I did finally manage to make it. Sorry about all those creases that you see, but the paper I had used wasn't the best.

If you are attempting the origami, then note that if you follow the instructions accurately, there will be a little elevated fold in the dog's back (right next to the tail). To make this disappear, you will need to sink that jutting portion to get the shape right.

Model Details:

Model: Scottish Terrier 

Creator: Peterpaul Forcher

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 8 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches in height

Instructions: Carmen's Origami 

The traditional origami butterflies are always great to make. They work with any kind of paper - origami paper, copy paper, gift wrapper and any other that we can lay our hands on.

These butterflies are easy to make and would be good as a little something on the wall I think. Small size is the key. Paper size 3-4 inches is a good size.

Model Details:

Model: Traditional Butterfly 

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Instructions: David Petty's Origami

The butterfly for today is designed by Rikki Donachie. What I liked most about this butterfly is how beautiful and natural the wings came out. If you stick the body of the butterfly to a wall, the wings make it seem that the butterfly is really flying :) Loved it!

This butterfly looks great when using paper in contrasting colours on both sides. In that case, the butterfly wings would be in one colour and the rest of the butterfly in the contrasting colour.

Model Details:

Model: Rikki Donachie's Butterfly 2

Creator: Rikki Donachie

Book: It's Just a Bit of Paper
 
Author: Rikki Donachie
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 - 4 inches

Instructions: Its Just a Bit of Paper Origamik

Tutorial:Youtube

These simple butterflies were designed by Fatima Granadeiro, a Portuguese origamist.

All kinds of paper works for this model. Smaller sized squares are better. 2-4 inches squares work well. Paper in contrasting colours on both sides would result in a butterfly with one colour for the wings and another for the head.

Model Details:

Model: Fatima Granadeiro Butterfly 

Creator: Fatima Granadeiro

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 - 4 inches

Instructions: Paper Unlimted's post has the diagram. To go directly to the instructions pdf, click here. 

The Kawasaki butterfly is yet another easy butterfly, made from half a square - economical and pretty! The creator is the amazing Toshikazu Kawasaki, better known for his origami rose. The butterfly can be found in his book 'Origami Dream World - Flowers and Animals'. 

Model Details:

Model: Butterfly 

Creator: Toshikazu Kawasaki

Book: Origami Dream World - Flowers and Animals
 
Author: Toshikazu Kawasaki
 
Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches by 1.5 inches

Tutorial: Youtube

Akira Yoshizawa's butterfly is one of the prettiest butterflies I have folded. The butterfly starts from a waterbomb base. There are precisely 4 folds following the waterbomb base and voila! You have a beautiful butterfly.

The beauty of this butterfly lies in the simplicity of the folds. This was amongst the initial origami that I folded and I assure you, if you are a beginner origamist, this is a must-fold.

Have a go at it :)

Model Details:

Model: Butterfly 

Creator: Akira Yoshizawa

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inches

Tutorial: Youtube