The Origami Patterned Icosahedron has been on my to-do list for quite some time now. This pretty icosahedron is designed by the amazing Meenakshi Mukerji. The icosahedron is assembled using 30 modules and looks best with dual coloured paper. The same module can be assembled using 12 units to form the Patterned Octahedron.

The modules are pretty easy to fold and are folded from a rectangle in ratio 1:2 i.e., a square cut into two. I had used a green-red combination in the hopes of adding it to my Christmas Tree. But I get the impression that this looks more like a strawberry than an icosahedron, courtesy of the black dots on the red, I guess 😄😄 Nevertheless, it is a good modular to fold.

The assembly is, by modular origami standards, fairly easy. I would still recommend plenty of paper clips and an equal amount of patience when assembling this one!

Model Details:

Model: Patterned Icosahedron

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Ornamental Origami

Author: Meenakshi Mukerji

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.5 inches * 1.75 inches

Model Size: ~ 3 inches in diameter

Tutorial: Youtube

Number of Modules: 30

Here's a wreath that I made for Christmas. The problem is that I had made use of a tutorial that I had saved a long time back, but unfortunately I know neither the name nor the creator of the wreath. Hmm.. Big problem!

But I can say one thing - it is an easy wreath to make and looks excellent with double sided paper!!

Merry Christmas 🎄🎄

Model Details:

Model: Wreath 

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Rectangle, 1:2 ratio

Paper Size: 3 inch by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches in diameter

Modules: 8

Daniel Reutskiy's  modular origami, folded from 30 modules is one that I absolutely enjoyed folding!

But more than the origami itself, what pleased me the most was the colour combination that I have used in the origami. This combination of colours was chosen by Little Miss, she calls it butterscotch-chocolate-raspberry. Initially I was very sceptical of the three colours she had chosen but she was absolutely convinced that it would come out well and I must admit, I love the way it has turned out! Kudos to my Little Miss 👌

That said, the modules are pretty easy to fold and so is the assembly. I like the way the models dips in. No surprises with regard to the assembly - it is the standard icosahedron assembly - 3 modules in clusters of 5.

Overall, an enjoyable experience. There is also a 12-module version which i hope to try out soon.

Model Details:

Model: Modular Kusudama 

Creator: Daniel Reutskiy

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

Aldo Marcell's modular origami models are really, really pretty to look at! I had previously done the ever-popular Tornado.

So this time, I decided to work on the Cyclon model. Overall, the model is very economical, in that, the paper is in the ratio 1:3. Which means from 1 square, I managed to get 3 modules. Considering I was using some of my precious double-sided paper, this was very nice!

And folding the individual modules was also pretty easy. But the assembly is a whole different story altogether! It is seriously difficult! And this was aggravated by the size of the modules. Since I had divided up a 3-inch square into 3, I was working with small pieces of paper and, while I have folded really tiny pieces for my origami jewellery, it was obvious I have lost the touch of handling small pieces.

So to reiterate, the modules are easy to fold but really difficult to assemble! At one point, I was fairly certain that I was just going to lose patience and crush the whole thing 😔 It was only the thought of folding 30 modules again that stopped me from flinging it all away!

Anyway, I am glad I persisted. I am happy with the outcome. But going forward, I will doubly careful before choosing any of Aldo Marcell's models to fold 😆😆

Model Details:

Model: Cyclon 

Creator: Aldo Marcell

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: 1:3

Paper Size: 1 inch by 3 inches

Model Size: ~2.5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Instructions: Stranamasterov.ru 

So, turns out that newspaper tubes that actually show the newspaper are very popular. I have had repeated demands to make more such products and that is exactly what I have done.

This box, made from brown and yellow newspaper tubes, is about 6 inches tall and has a diameter of around 4 inches. For relief, I added some brown wooden beads. And I am also figuring out how to add an indent at the edge, so that the lid fits in well. I still have not perfected this bit, but I believe I will eventually get it 😊

Altogether, I am pleased with the outcome. Still some way to go before I am perfectly happy with what I make, but not too shabby for now, huh? 

After working on the 4th variation in the last post, I decided to try out one final variation of the octagonal boxes from Tomoko Fuse's 'Joyful Origami Boxes' before moving on to other models.

Yet again, I decided to use my double-sided paper - in this case, paper that is blue on one side and printed with little flowers on the other. And yet again, only the final module is provided and it is up to us to figure out the method to fold. This is the 1st variation on page 72.

Each paper square that I have used is 3 inches in size and the end result is an attractive box, about 2.5 inches across. For the base, instead of using the same double-sided paper, I used blue 3-inch squares of printer paper. That ensured that the base was very sturdy.

With this, I am done with the boxes from Joyful Origami Boxes. I will definitely revisit this book at a later date, since it still has a number of lovely boxes for me to try out 😃

Model Details:

Model: Octagon Box - 1th Variation

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Joyful Origami Boxes

Author: Tomoko Fuse

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: 2.5 inches across

Number of Modules: 16

Magazine art is an interesting way of recycling old magazines, which are in abundance at our house. So, after making all those pen holders last month, I decided to try about something else this time.

So here is my first attempt at decoupaging with magazine paper! And here's how I went about it.

First of all, I wanted a good, solid box. So, while a good cardboard box would have been good enough, I wanted something sturdier. That means, I decided to use an old wooden box for this attempt.

I sanded down the box and then coated it with a layer of white acrylic paint. Once the paint dried, it was time to decoupage! I mixed a portion of white glue with 2 portions of water and set this aside. I chose the most colourful pages and cut them into multiple pieces.

Then it was just a matter of applying the glue-water mixture, sticking a piece of magazine paper and reapplying another layer of glue-water mixture. I continued till the whole box was covered with the magazine paper. I decoupaged the inside of the box as well. And the lid too.

I allowed the box to dry down over-night. Then I covered the whole box with a layer of the same glue-water mixture. Again it dried over-night.

Finally my decoupaged box was ready for use. Now my only question is whether to use it as a decoupaged box or do something with magazine rolls.. Well, I'll just have to wait and see how I decide to go about it 😃