The Kawasaki origami rose is something every origamist tries. I too did. But my first attempt, about 3 - 4 years back, was not much of a success and that put me off roses.

But recently, there was a post in one of the Facebook groups I belong to, with pictures of their origami roses. So I decided to give it another go. I started with a 6 inch square and ended up with a pretty good rose in pink. Then decided to see what would be the smallest rose I can fold. So worked with a 5-inch square next, then 4, then 3. After that, 2 inches looked quite small, so switched over to cms then! The next roses were with 6 cms, 5 cms and 4 cms squares. The 4 cms square resulted in a rose small enough to become an earring. And that would be my next project I hope. The pale pink rose (next to the smallest rose) is my favourite one, though it was quite difficult to fold.

After folding all of 8 roses, one thing I realised was that the creases were the most important part of folding these roses. I found that the softer my creases, the better looking my rose. So when I creased well, as I usually do, I ended up with an angular rose which isn't very appealing. And now I think I will get started on more teeny tiny roses and try to make them into earrings :)

Model Details:

Model: Rose 

Creator: Toshikazu Kawasaki

Book: Origami for the Connoisseur
 
Author: Kunihiko Kasahara, Toshie Takahama
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: varying from 6 inches to 4 cms

Model Size: varying from 1.5 inches to 1 cm

Tutorial: Youtube

The origami buckyball is the representation of the Buckminster Fullerene molecule - a stable form of carbon. The other 2 are, of course, diamond and graphite.

Some interesting facts about the buckyball:

• The buckyball family is an allotrope (different forms of an element - here, carbon) of carbon, very different from diamond and graphite.
• The buckyball is made from 60 atoms of carbon
• The shape resembles a football - 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons
• Each atom has 2 kinds of bonds - double bonds between 2 hexagons and single bonds between a hexagon and a pentagon

That is enough Chemistry I think!

As for the origami buckyballs, one version of these buckyballs can be made using PHiZZ Units. These buckyballs are very commonly done as they are made from squares and are relatively easier to complete. 

The other version of the buckyball, what I have done here, is folded from units created by Rona Gurkewitz and Bennett Arnstein. The units are folded from equilateral triangles. Cutting the triangles, 60 of them, is 50% of the  job! Folding those 60 triangles into the buckyball units completely another 30%. Assembling the units is what I found easiest and I believe that amounts to only 20% of the entire process :) And behold, a buckyball!

It is usually suggested that you use paper coloured on both sides. That ensures that the buckyball has the same colour throughout. But when I assembled with single-sided paper, I realised that the contrasting colours meant that I can clearly see those stars in the hexagon/pentagon faces. I like that. And maybe, one day, when I give it another go, I will try using copy paper and see how that compares to this one.

Model Details:

Model: Buckyball

Creator: Rona Gurkewitz and Bennett Arnstein

Book: Multi Origami Polyhedra

Authors: Rona Gurkewitz and Bennett Arnstein

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Triangle

Paper Size: 4 inches

Model Size: ~ 5 inch in diameter

Modules: 60

Tutorial: Youtube 

While folding the origami Mina from my previous post, I realised that it resembled Mio Tsugawa's Arabesque. Except of course, that for the arabesque the flaps are curled to give that rounded, softer look and we do not do that for the mina.

That does not mean we cannot add those curls :) So that is what I did. And it turned out to be exactly like the arabesque. In fact, comparatively speaking, I found the mina easier to assemble than the arabesque.

For this model, I worked with shades of orange and I am quite delighted with the outcome. Since I had orange yarn, I ended up making a tassle and converted my kusudama into an ornament. The problem is, I am so in love with the ornament that I have no intention of hanging it anywhere and allowing it to get dull or dirty! So it is already packed and kept safe, to be taken out only for special occasions and exhibitions :)

Model Details:

Model: Mina 

Creator: Enrica Dray

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Diagram: Origami Modulari

The origami Mina is a modular origami designed by Enrica Dray. The model is a dodecahedron, assembled from 30 squares of paper.

The individual modules are pretty easy to fold. Assembling is done without any glue. Once you slide a flap into a pocket, it holds very well and taking it apart gives trouble. So the model is very stable and does not require any glue at all.

There are 2 ways to assemble the model - when joining the modules, we align the creases between the modules. Folding this crease down ie., making it into a valley fold, gives the first assembly. Folding it up and turning it into a mountain fold gives the second assembly. I have done the second version.

Model Details:

Model: Mina 

Creator: Enrica Dray

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Diagram: Origami Modulari 

One of my favourite modular origami is Tomoko Fuse's Little Turtle Kusudama. I had made them a couple of years back, using beautiful, vibrant paper.

I had a workshop coming up and wanted to remake this model, since my previous kusudamas have been distributed long back! While previously, I had using paper that had colourful flowers on a white background, this time I wanted to go with a softer tone. And I quite like the paper I have used - cream coloured paper with a gold pattern on it. I had bought this paper more than a year back and found it while going through my huge stack of paper. 

What say you? Does it look good? Or is it too dull?

PS: While entering the model details, I realised that I had previously marked the difficulty as high intermediate. Well, it was quite difficult for me then. But now, I think it is a low intermediate model. So what do I do? For now, I am going to continue marking it as high intermediate, because my blog is mostly used by beginner origamists. And I believe I need to re-look at my past posts to ensure that the difficulty level is labelled correctly ie., for beginner origamists :)

Model Details:

Model: Little Turtle Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Multidimensional Transformations Unit Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

Well, after a long time I worked on some modular origami - the origami football (soccerball). Absence really does make the heart grow fonder, cos I absolutely loved making the football. It helped that it very closely resembles a real football, so much so that my daughter wanted to kick it around! And everyone in my house is in love with it 😊

Unlike most modular origami, the individual modules are made from equilateral triangles. For my football, I had used A5 sheets (If you have A4 ie., the regular copy paper, cut it in half horizontally to give 2 A5 sheet). Each A5 sheet gives 2 white triangles and 3 black triangles. A total of 20 white pieces and 12 black pieces are needed. So that makes it 10 white A5 sheets and 4 black A5 sheets (In A4 terms, it is 5 white and 2 black A4 sheets).

The white and black pieces are folded differently, as we need white hexagons and black pentagons. While assembling the ball, each black pentagon will be surrounded by 6 white hexagons. You should be aware that of these 6 white hexagons, one side will have a pocket which will be empty. That is because of the combination of hexagons and pentagons and nothing to worry about :)

So give it a go and have fun with the football. It is pretty robust, so you can even throw it around a bit!

Unfortunately I am no longer able to find the diagram for this model. It used to be hosted on Mark Leonard's site but it is no longer available. But all is not lost! I have linked below a youtube tutorial for making said football.

Model Details:

Model: Football

Creator: Mark Leonard

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Triangle

Paper Size: A4 and A5 paper

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 32

Tutorial: Youtube

This Easter, let us not forget that it is not about fluffy bunnies and chocolate eggs, but about what Jesus did for us. Happy Easter, dear readers :)

Well, I have been wondering what to fold this Easter and decided to redo Jared Needle's origami cross. It is a beautiful origami to fold and the more I have folded this cross, the more I enjoy it! There are quite a few sinks, both open and closed sinks. Initially the closed sink was a challenge but now I find it pretty easy. And I do like the way the cross is completed. All unnecessary folds are beautifully concealed, both in the front and at the back.

I am sure you are wondering why I have folded so many of crosses. Our BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) classes, for this year, are coming to a close. We are nearly at the end of Genesis (We have been studying Genesis this year) and should be done in a couple more classes I think. So I thought it would be a nice idea to fold this cross, so we can remember our group :) And it makes a handy bookmark, to it might turn out to be a useful addition to the Bible too! I am still not done folding crosses. I need at least 15 and have about 3 more to go.

Model Details:

Model: Cross 

Creator: Jared Needle

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 6 inch squares

Model Size: 4.5 inches tall and 4 inches across

Instructions: Cross by Jared Needle

This dual coloured heart is designed by Andrey Lukyanov, an Ukrainian origamist, who has designed a whole bunch of heart/love-based origami! Using Google Translate, I gather from his website (which is in Russian), that this heart represents 2 halves of love which builds a new life.

As far as the model goes, the creator has made a detailed video on how to fold it (link below). After the initial pre-creasings, the model is collapsed on these creases. That point is not very clear in the tutorial. It took me a couple of tries to get this right. Another potential problem area is pleating the leaf. I had used 6-inch paper and the pleats are really tiny!

The obvious choice of paper is a single-sided red paper. I have used pearlized momigami paper and I love the texture it adds to the model.

Model Details:

Model: New Life Heart 

Creator: Andrey Lukyanov

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 6 inches

Model Size: ~2.5 inches in length and 3 inches across

Tutorial: Youtube (Part 1 and Part 2) 

Hacky Sack is a football game played by 2 players. The origami hacky sack is an angled modular made from 30 units. The design is by Winson Chan. The modules are not too difficult to fold. The assembly is slightly more complicated and the end result is a very solid sphere that does not require any glue.

The sphere is assembled in modules of 3 and then joined together into pentagons. And joining 30 units results in the dodecahedron, with little triangular corners and a whole lot of open spaces.

I found it an interesting and artistic model to fold. And I must say I love the combination that I have chosen as well. The combination of green-yellow-orange is always a pleasure to look at. Makes one think of bright, sunny days!

Model Details:

Model: Hacky Sack 

Creator: Winson Chan

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Model Size: ~6.5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Diagram: Origamidiagram.com 

The Dodecaedro Traforato or Perforated Dodecahedron is a modular origami by Silvana Betti Mamino. Like most modular origami, the modules are pretty easy to fold. They are folded from a A4 sheet. Well, the A4 is actually cut into 4 rectangles horizontally. I felt A4 strips would be too big, so worked with A5 sheet cut into 4 rectangles. Worked perfectly well :) I used printer paper - 5 colours and 6 strips in each colour.

Folding printer paper wasn't that easy - 80 gsm paper requires more effort to fold than 60 gsm, doesn't it? Assembling for me, was the most challenging part. The reason was because of the colours. I wanted to ensure that there was some kind of uniformity in the assembly and after 3 attempts, I finally managed it I think.

The modules hold together without glue once fully assembled. But I didn't find it terribly stable, so if you will be moving it about, then a little glue helps. If you are assembling without glue, ensure you have a whole bunch of paper clips to hold the modules in place.

Model Details:

Model: Dodecaedro Traforato

Creator: Silvana Betti Mamino

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangles from A5

Paper Size: 2.1 inches by 5.8 inches

Model Size: 4.5 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 30

Instruction: Modulandia.it

The dodecahedron kit is a part of a series of similar kits from the book 'Polyhedron Origami', by Miyuki Kawamura. The other kits in the series include the Edge Module, Tetrahedron, Octahedron and Icosahedron kits.

Each of these kits are made up of 2 kinds of modules - the vertex modules (which forms the corners of the polyhedron) and the edge modules (which connects 2 vertex modules). The vertex module is different for different polyhedra, with changes in the angle and in the number of arms radiating from it.

The dodecahedron kit is made from 50 modules - 20 dodecahedron vertex modules and 30 edge modules. The vertex modules have 3 radiating arms, so are connected to 3 edge modules. 5 such vertex modules link together to form 1 face of the dodecahedron. 12 such faces are joined together to form the dodecahedron.

I found it an interesting piece to fold and might also fold the other kits if possible. The only disappointment for me was that I had used single-sided paper. And when folding the vertex modules, a little of the white can be seen at the back. I didn't think much of it till I started assembling the piece and realised that, since it is a structure with a lot of big windows, the back of the modules are also visible - as can be seen in the pic! So, if you are folding this, remember to use paper coloured on both sides, at least for the vertex modules.

The model is pretty stable but if you are going to move it around a lot, then I suggest a dab of glue at the joints. Else the vertex modules tend to put out of the edge modules. And another thing, remember to use fairly small paper. I used squares of 2.5 inches and ended up with a model that measured about 7 inches across.

Model Details:

Model: Dodecahedron Kit

Creator: Miyuki Kawamura

Book: Polyhedron Origami

Author: Miyuki Kawamura

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 2.5 inches

Model Size: 7 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 50

Since of late I have recently been working on easy origami, I thought I would try out something a bit more challenging. This hydrangea cube was a good attempt and I am quite pleased with how it has turned out 😀

How to go about this? Well, we need to initially make 6 of Shuzo Fujimoto's hydrangea tessellations. In origami, tessellations are patterns that are usually folded from a single sheet of paper, that repeat themselves as many times as needed. They usually provide a dimensional appearance.

The hydrangea tessellation is one of the simpler designs. The paper that I have used is regular kami paper. The paper didn't tear while making all those sinks and pops!

Once the 6 hydrangeas are completed, it is just a matter of joining them in a cube. Joins are made by creasing a mountain fold along each of the longer petals, on all 4 sides. The creased corner can be slid into the adjacent hydrangea to hold it in place. Fitting the last of the 6 turned out to be very frustrating and I almost tore up the model! Only the thought that I would have to refold 6 hydrangeas, kept me from doing it!! 😄😄

And if you are the adventurous sort, you can also try the regular snooze assembly, made from 30 units!

Model Details:

Model: Hydrangeau Cube 

Creator: Shuzo Fujimoto

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 8 inches

Instructions (for making a single hydrangea tessellation): British Origami

Tutorial: YouTube

Modules: 6

The peacock is a beautiful bird and I have been trying to fold it for quite some time now - ever since I got the book 'Origami Sculptures' by John Montroll. And I did manage to fold it on 15th August. That is the Indian Independence Day, and in case you did not know this, the peacock is the national bird of India - an added incentive to fold!

The paper I had used was blue/dark blue origami paper, 9 inches square. The resulting bird had a height of about 6.5 inches and a wing span of 6 inches. Double-sided paper works well, especially the colour combination I had selected :)

Making the peacock stand by itself was quite impossible for me. The reason being that the wings turn out to be quite heavy. So the bird kept falling backwards! But other than that, I am pleased with this peacock..

Model Details:

Model: Peacock 

Creator: John Montroll

Book: Origami Sculptures
 
Author: John Montroll
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 9 inch squares

Model Size: 6.5 inches tall, 6 inches wing span

Since making my last cube, I have made a few more cubes from 12 sheets of paper. All are from the book 'Modular Origami Polyhedra' . This one is a Sonobe Cube formed from Decoration Box modules. We start off folding as for the decoration box module and then add a few more folds to get the final module.

I first tried this model from 2-inch squares. Quite a tough job!! Folding these thin creases are quite painful, but not as painful as creasing paper that has already been folded 4-5 times!! My thumb took quite a beating! I would strongly advice a bone-folder for this model. Unfortunately, I don't have one, so had to make do with my poor thumb :(

Model Details:

Model: Sonobe Cube from Decoration Box Modules 

Creator: Lewis Simon

Book: Modular Origami Polyhedra
 
Author: Lewis Simon, Bennett Arnstein, Rona Gurkewitz
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 2 inches

Model Size: Square cube with approximate side of 1.25 inches

Modules: 12

I have previously made a butterfly bookmark designed by Grzegorz Bubniak. And today, I tried out his elephant bookmark, which clearly shows an elephant's head. It is quite easy to make out the ears, trunk and tusks. I like the colour change in the tusks.

The bookmark works best with duo coloured paper - grey and ivory would be the most ideal colour choice, in which case the elephant would be in grey and the tusks in ivory. I have used a 4.5 inch square which resulted in a bookmark that measured 2.5 inches from head to trunk tip and 2.75 inches from ear to ear. The size was ideal to use in books :)

When the bookmark is inserted in a book and the book is closed, only the ears can be seen outside the book end. This, I felt, was better than the butterfly bookmark, where more than half the bookmark is visible, which makes it very easy to crush it! In the elephant bookmark, since only the ears are visible, and that too a pre-creased end, we would, in most probability, end up folding the ear along those creases.

Model Details:

Model: Elephant Bookmark 

Creator: Grzegorz Bubniak

Website: GregOrigami
  
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4.5 inches

Model Size: 2.5 inches long and 2.75 inches wide

Diagram: Dev.Origami

The origami sun was one of the designs I started folding in the beginning of the month, but was pleasantly side-tracked into folding a Compass Rose, which to me, looked kinda like the sun!

But I finally got around to folding the sun, designed by Jo Nakashima. It wasn't exactly a piece of cake and I still don't think I have got it quite right. There were a lot of pre-creasings and I think I might have missed out a couple, cos the shape isn't as nice as what Jo Nakashima demonstrates in his video.

The paper I had used was a 4-inch square and the resulting sun was about 3 inches in size.

Model Details:

Model: Sun

Creator: Jo Nakashima

Creator Online: Youtube, Facebook
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches

Tutorial: Youtube

A catamaran is a boat with two structures that are joined together by a frame. It is a stable boat and quite fast as well, and is a common sight on seas and beaches, especially during summer.

The origami catamaran is a great design to fold on a hot summer day. The design is by Maarten van Gelder. The sail is in a different colour than the rest of the boat, so paper with a solid colour on one side and print on the other is great.

I had some trouble when I folded this initially, at Step 7 of the diagram, where the model is collapsed into shape. I had thought that the creases from Steps 3 to 6 were only for the top layer. I discovered, after fighting with Step 7, that the creases for the layer below as well!

Model Details:

Model: Catamaran 

Creator: Maarten van Gelder

Website: Maarten van Gelder
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 7 inches

Model Size: ~5 inches * ~4 inches

Instructions: Diagrammed Models

The origami birdwing butterfly is yet another of Michael LaFosse's beautiful butterflies. I love folding LaFosse's butterflies, as they are not very simple but at the same time, not so complex that they give you the shivers, just looking at the instructions either!

The book 'Origami Butterflies', by Michael LaFosse, takes you through a system of discovery for folding an unlimited variety of origami butterflies. The book is great to add to your collection, if you are fascinated by origami butterflies. The book also gives instructions for folding a whole lot of butterflies, including the very famous Alexander Swallowtail butterfly and the Alice Gray butterfly.

But the butterfly I have folded here, the Birdwing butterfly, is actually from another of LaFosse's books, 'Origami Art'. The book  talks in depth about LaFosse's Origamido Studio. It then moves on to origami design and display, gives expert advice on making your own paper, explains how to mount origami for display and then finally has a beautiful selection of models to fold. Most of them I found to be too complex for me. This butterfly of course, caught my interest. LaFosse has suggested using black and iridescent green duo washi paper for the model, a suggestion that I was unfortunately unable to follow.

The butterfly was not very difficult to fold, though the pleats took a good deal of time. I was not able to get the long abdomen that was visible in the completed model in the book. But overall, I am happy with this little butterfly :)

Model Details:

Model: Birdwing Butterfly

Creator: Michael LaFosse

Book: Origami Art
 
Authors: Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 5 inches

With Valentine's Day coming up, a lot of us must be on the lookout for pretty things to make and gift. So naturally I went googling and came across this lovely heart box on Flickr!

The creator of the heart box is Natan Lopez. I understand that the diagram for the model will be published in the magazine '4 Esquinas' but am not sure when it is to be published. But in the meanwhile, the diagram and CP have been kindly shared by Natan on his Flick! profile (links below).

Some points that I learnt after trying out the heart a few times:

• For the base, I used a square that was slightly smaller than the one for the lid. I wasn't able to make them fit together well when I used squares of the same size.
• In Step 23 in the instructions, it is suggested that the corners be either folded or cut off. I suggest cutting them off; else there is a lot of folded paper which didn't make the folding easy at all!
• For the lid, in Step 25, adding one more valley fold around the box ensures that the base is slightly taller than the lid.

Model Details:

Model: Heart Box 

Creator: Nathan Lopez

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 7 inches for lid and 6.75 inches for base

Instructions: Flickr!

Instructions (CP): Flickr!

This incredible goblet is made from a single sheet of hexagonal paper. A very interesting design to fold..

I had got this model during one of my random browsings and wanted to fold it immediately. But I had been putting off folding this model, since I was too lazy to cut a hexagon out of a square! And from seeing the instructions, I thought it might be difficult to fold. But in realily, it wasn't too difficult.

Single sided paper works quite well for the model. But if you don't want the inside of the goblet to be white, then duo-coloured paper need to be used. I had first used copy paper to fold the initial model and it turned out quite well. But of course, origami paper is the easiest to fold with.

Model Details:

Model: Goblet 

Creator: Samuel Randlett 

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Hexagon

Paper Size: 7 inches

Instructions: Asociación Española de Papiroflexia