The origami wedge cube is a visually captivating modular origami that I had wanted to fold for some time now. This model, designed by Miyuki Kawamura, is assembled from 20 modules - 8 of the corner modules and 12 of the pyramid structures.

I found it a fun model to fold and assemble. Neither the folding nor the assembly is too complicated. Assembly is by sliding a pocket into a flap. It is assembled without any glue and holds together very well.

Loved the colour combination, chosen by Little Miss. The brown and the pink contrast very well, I thought and the final model is really eye-catching!

Model Details:

Model: Wedge Cube

Creator: Miyuki Kawamura

Book: Origami Tanteidan 9

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: 2.7 inches

Number of Modules: 20

The Origami 4-star box is one of the very few models that I was able to fold from the Origami Tanteidan Vol 17. I was actually quite delighted to find that I could actually fold one of the models, given the complexity of the origami!

The box is a modular pattern, 4 modules for the lid and 4 for the base. The lid and base are folded in the same way except (1) the walls of the base are higher than the lid and (2) the spiral of the base is folded into the model so that it isn't visible at the base.

I found the model interesting to fold in that, usual modular boxes are folded as 2D and in the final step they are converted into 3D. But in this one, the model no longer lies flat from the second step after the precreasing. And of course, the folding the spiral into the base wall was also something new.

Model Details:

Model: Four Star Box

Creator: Toshikazu Kawasaki

Book: Origami Tanteidan, Volume 17

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 5 inches squares

Modules: 4 for base and 4 for lid

I found Roman Diaz's house a unique design to fold and enjoyed folding it! The design is such that the height and width of the house can be changed, so I guess it is possible to make houses in an ascending order of size! Instructions can be found in Volume 17 of the Origami Tanteidan.

The lock that holds the roof in place is quite interesting.

Single sided paper might not give you a very good result, since part of the house would end up in white, with the rest of the house in colour. Solid colours on both sides or print and single colour, like what I have used, would be good.

Altogether, a very good origami to fold :)

Model Details:

Model: House 

Creator: Roman Diaz

Website: Dosis Diaria de Origami
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 6 inches

I finally present the very famous Cherry Blossom Kusudama, designed by none other than Tomoko Fuse. Cherry blossoms are usually white or pink in colour but I decided that my kusudama need a bit more colour, so here is a vivid red(orange??)-with-flecks-of-white kusudama :)

The kusudama is made from 30 squares of paper; folding the individual units is the easy part, though it is more complex that most other kusudama units. The fun starts when you assemble the units. Assembly is in groups of 3. Inserting the third unit was a challenge at the beginning. Imagine doing that for all the groups! Phew! The 3-unit groups are put together in 5s and as soon as you assemble your first five, you can see the cherry blossoms emerging. You just need to round off the petals so that it looks more like a petal and less like a diamond..

And.. Tada!! Your very own cherry blossom kusudama! Ok, it does take time and effort and patience and the will to complete it, but it is soon done..It is recommended to use squares that are 5 inches or more, else it gets even more difficult to assemble it. I have used 4.5 inches square here.

The design first appeared in the Origami Tanteidan Magazine (Vol 12, Issue 72). It also includes a section on making little petals that can be folded and inserted into the flower, but I felt that the cherry blossom ball looks better without that. So I left that out.

Model Details:

Model: Cherry Blossom Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Origami Tanteidan (Vol 12, Issue 72)
  
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4.5 inches

Model Size: ~5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

Well, to tell you the truth, haven't had time to try any new origami today. So thought I would share this origami Twister that I had done as part of our Christmas celebrations.

The twister or an Origami Medial Rhombic Triacontahedron is a mouthful to pronounce! The design is by Miyuki Kawamura and is made from 30 rectangles of paper, in the ration of 2.5:1. The design was published in Origami Tanteidan Volume 5. This is one of my most time-consuming origami to date. It can be held together without any glue, but I preferred gluing it in a few places so that it didn't come undone easily.

Model Details:

Model: Origami Medial Rhombic Triacontahedron / Twister

Creator: Miyuki Kawamura

Book: Origami Tantedian 5th Volume

Language: Japanese

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: 2.5:1

Paper size: 7.5 by 3 inches (Ratio 2.5:1)

Number of modules: 30

Tutorial Link: Youtube