Lets Make Origami

 Model: Narcisa
Autor: Hiromi Hayashi
Diagrama:Origami Flowers: Popular Blossoms and Creative Bouquets
 Model: Lalea
Autor: Hiromi Hayashi
Diagrama:Origami Flowers: Popular Blossoms and Creative Bouquets
 Model: Crin
Autori: Yuri & Katrina Shumakov (Oriland)
Diagrama: Oribana Charm
 Model: Zambila
Diagrama: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/eaglesuker/article?mid=7223&prev=-1&next=7153

I finally buckled down and finished a magic origami star for my middle son.  With this one, I was able to try out another variation of the the 'walk-around' pattern; this time with two colors.  The green and red colors both walk around the model.  Even the two spots of green walk around for a lot of the model; although there is a point when the green actually breaks.

This is the Origami Magic Star that I made for my middle son. He's not real picky when it comes to his favorite colors, so my wife just picked some basic colors.

Here is a clip of the red and blue walking around the model:



Here is a video of the extra large star:



Here is one more video showing the comparison of the extra large Origami Star & one of the 'regular' stars:


Here are the patterns for making the two different models that walk around the model. This is the pattern to use if only one color walks around the model:

If this pattern is used the orange would continuously walk around the model. The models are composed of 6 different rings that assembled together. This is the same pattern presentation that the authors use in the E-book.

Here is the pattern if you want two colors to walk around the model:

In this pattern both the orange and blue walk around the model.

Here is the link to purchase the E-book for the Oriland Origami Magic Star.  Oriland has done some amazing work. I have a few of their CD's and am looking forward to folding more and posting the pictures.

It's been a very long time since I've taken the time to post anything - I've missed it.  A lot has changed: we've moved states, I'm employed again (Yay!), and I'm still working on going to school online.  I wish I had more time to do origami and post about it.  Sadly, until I'm out of school (not going to happen soon enough) I'll just have to do it whenever possible.

The latest origami model that I've been folding (a little obsessively) is the Origami Magic Star that was created by the amazing creators of Oriland.  A link to the YouTube video of their model in action is here.  You can buy the e-book on how to fold the model here.  The creators have a Flickr page with pictures of fan-folded models here.

The model can be folded in several different ways; from as many as 48 squares of paper to 12 strips of paper to 6 strips of paper all the way to the extremely impressive single sheet of paper (here is a picture of someone that tackled this daunting task).  My favorite way to fold the model is the one that is the most modular: by using 48 squares of paper.

No matter what initial folding method is used to create the units, the final assembly method is pretty much the same.  The model is essentially created through 6 rings that are interlocked (unless the single sheet of paper method is being used).  For myself, the hands-down most difficult point is the assembling of the final ring to the first one.  The creators show a technique that interlocks everything nicely, but I have yet to be able to assemble is without tearing the paper.  Thankfully, the points where the paper tears aren't seen and don't seem to affect the model.

So, without further rambling here are the pictures and videos of the models that I have folded.  Normally pictures are completely sufficient to show off origami, but the reason this model is so fantastic is that its an action model.  I've got a picture of each of the models followed by a short video clip of them.

This is my first Oriland Magic Star. I already had almost all of the squares cut out that were left over from a different project. When I purchased the e-book and was looking through the various color patterns that were shown I instantly liked the checkerboard  pattern and wanted to try it first.

The next pattern that I attempted was the basic 'ring' style.  My wife picked out the colors and as a result they go very well together :-)

After seeing the first 2 models that I had made my Mom of course requested one.  To make things easier on me she requested the basic rainbow colors.  In the video you can see that several of the colors 'walk' around the model as it is rotated (the red is probably one of the easiest to see).

My oldest son's favorite colors are black and blue. After I made the first magic star he was begging for me to make one for him.  So for the pattern here I used the Yin-Yang design that the authors describe. The blue and black colors seemed to chase each other as they rotate around.  I will say that I was a little disappointed in the recommended pattern as it rotates one way and then back again instead of continuing to rotate in the same direction.

My next model was made for my oldest sister who happened to be visiting in the area for Christmas ( I usually only get to see her once or twice a year and so don't get much opportunity to share my folding with her).  After making the Yin-Yang model I decided to change the pattern a little to see if I could get the desired effect I was hoping for.  Here it is close; not exactly what I was hoping for, but much closer and gave me the direction I needed to continue to try.

And so the next one I made was for my Dad.  He has an office job and displays a few of the origami things I've made for him.  Of course when most people see something intriguing on someones' desk at work they have to pick it up to examine it.  As a result I don't give anything to my Dad to take to work unless it is solid and durable - as these models are.  Here I finally achieved the pattern I wanted.  The red color simply 'walks' all the way around the model as it is rotated; endlessly :-)

Finally, this is the model that I made for my  youngest son, who isn't quite 2 yet.  My wife tells me that anytime someone has their magic star out he wants to put it on his head like a crown.  So, she asked me to make one for him to walk around with.  That made me wonder just how large I would be able to make it.  The model on the left is my oldest son's and is about 6 or 7 inches in diameter.  The other one is considerably larger :-) Sadly, I don't have a video of it in action yet.  But as soon as I do, I will post it.

This last video is for entertainment purposes.  When the models are assembled, there is a certain spot in the rotation that can hold a particular amount of tension (likely due to the faults of my assembly).  So, if you're not careful they can kind of jump out of your hands :-D

There have actually been a few other models that I have folded and am in the process of folding.  I either need pictures/videos of them or I need to finish them.  Either way, my school work is currently having to come before anything (dang school is always getting in the way of fun).

I totally recommend purchasing this e-book from Oriland.  The instructions are fantastic and all in color.  The directions are very clear and easy to understand.  Be warned, though, that the final assembly does get a little tricky and may take a couple of attempts.  But the end result is totally worth it!

Model: Castle of Oriville
Autori: Yuri & Katrina Shumakov (Oriland)
Diagrama: Oriville Castle
Nr. bucati de hartie: 382





Model: Fetita si baiat
Autori: Yuri & Katrina Shumakov (Oriland)
Diagrama:Origami little people


Model: Pegas
Autor: Hojyo Takashi
Diagrama: ORU Magazine #4

In continuing with the Valentine's Day theme, now I'd like to show some of my favorite origami flowers.  Without further adieu here are some of my favorite to fold and give:

This is a common origami flower, the Iris.  Its a traditional model, so the diagrams can be found in many places.  I first learned it in the excellent book The Magic of Origami.  The model by itself is very fun to fold, nice and simple, but at the same time seems to lack a certain completeness that some origami flowers lack.  I took this model a step further for my wedding reception.

Here is an incredible picture taken by my wife's uncle (who is a fantastic photographer) at our wedding reception.  With the help of my wife and mother-in-law I was able to get the leaves looking good and have the whole centerpiece looking really good for the tables.

This is another favorite and common flower (also a traditional model).  The tulip is the first flower that I learned how to fold.  Having never had any experience with origami and thanks to the very basic instructions that I had, it took me a while to get this model down.  I first picked up origami by purchasing a small kit with paper and hard to read instructions on a trip to Hawaii with my family.  This was one of the models diagrammed in that kit.  Here is a link to instructions very similar to the ones I first learned from here :)  As with the origami Iris I've taken this model and attached it to a piece of wire with paper leaves and wrapped them in floral tape making it a little more realistic.  Sadly, I can't find any pictures of these flowers fully assembled :(

This model is a really fun one for beginners to learn, the Tulip.  The flower portion was designed by Makoto Yamaguchi with the leaf portion designed by Kunihiko Kasahara; found in the awesome beginners book The Magic of Origami.  The Tulip itself is based on the water bomb model, with a simple twist.



This model was designed by one of the great authors of Oriland, Katrin Shumakov; the model is a Matthiolis Bicornis.  If you've never had the opportunity to visit their website, its incredible.  The site is http://www.oriland.com/.  I love the diagrams that Katrin and Yuri Shumakov create, they are very detailed.  I've got 3 of the cds that they sell at their website; I love everyone of them.  This flower model is found the Origami Land cd.  I highly recommend their work.



Here is another angle of the Matthiolis Bicornis by Katrin Shumakov.  Its such an incredible model and its hard to appreciate it from just one angle.  One difficulty with this model is that the center point of the paper has a lot of folds going through it and gets a lot of movement; its easy for the paper to get a hole worked in the middle of it.  Thankfully, you can't see the hole that I worked in this flower from these pictures :)

This model is titled the Rose Brooch, designed by Toshie Takahama.  The diagrams for the model are found in The New Origami by Steve and Megumi Biddle.  Not a terribly difficult model to fold, but not completely basic; which makes it really fun to fold.  When folded from origami paper the has colors radiating from the corners (such as here) it looks a lot better.

This incredible model was designed by Valerie Vann, titled the Magic Rose Cube.  In this form, the model looks fairly plain.  From the picture you can't see that the other 3 sides of the cube are green.  The next picture shows how neat the model truly is.

Here is the model opened.  I absolutely love this model for the angular look, but still looking so much like a rose.  There is a video showing how to fold each of the 6 pieces and how to assemble them here.  Side story:  I work with one of the youth classes in my church team-teaching each week.  I love working with the kids and especially enjoy bringing origami to them for them to pick through and enjoy.  Last week I had one of these cubes in the mix and one of the girls picked it out thinking it was just a neat box.  After I showed her what it did, her face lit up and she was all the more excited to have picked it :)

This last flower is easily the hardest to fold (of the flowers featured here), but I also think is the most rewarding once done.  This is the Rose by the great Toshikazu Kawasaki; the diagram can be found in the book  Origami for the Connoiseur by Kunihiko Kasahara and Toshie Takahama.  The book is definitely one for the more advanced folder, as is this model especially.  With some practice, and probably a couple of attempts, it is possible to fold it though; and extremely rewarding when done.

Here is another shot of the same model to give a better look at the side.  I used an 8 inch sheet of colored copy paper to fold to get this size.  Visually speaking, this is my favorite flower to fold because it looks so amazing when done.  I love it.

 Origami flowers are every even more popular and prevalent than origami hearts.  They are fantastic to fold and give as a gift, especially for Valentine's Day, because unlike real flowers they don't wilt and die.  (Granted a paper flower doesn't have the aroma of a real one :)

This was a glimpse into what I enjoy giving for Valentine's Day each year.  I'll close with some further links to the books and diagrams that I mentioned.  Until next time, Enjoy!

The Magic of Origami (the Iris and Tulip models)














Again the link to the origami Tulip here.

The link to Oriland and the page for the Origami Land cd.

The New Origami (the Rose Brooch model)














The video showing Valerie Vann's Magic Rose Cube here.

Origami for the Connoiseur (the Kawasaki Rose)

Modele: Toy Boat si Simple Boat - 2 barcute foarte simpatice de la Oriland
Autori:Yuri and Katrin Shumakov (Oriland)
Diagrama: Origami Sailing

Model: Calut de mare
Diagrama: papercraftcentral.net