After completing the star container (aka 8-cornered basket) from one of my previous posts, I was browsing to see if variations of the container was available. I came across this variation, one that forms a narrower opening.

In addition to liking this variation, I also liked the paper that I had used to this model. This is from a collection of paper that I had got from one of my recent purchases and I think the strips on the paper gives a kinda woven look.

In the instructions link below, the instructions start from the middle of the folding for the star container. If you are following the Photo Instructions link from Tweety Atelier, then you will need to start from Step 8. If you are following Marigami’s instructions, you will need to start from Step 7 in the pdf.

Origami Details:

Model: Star Container Variation

Origin: Traditional

Instructions Link: Tweety Atelier

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Size: 5 – 8 inch square

I finally got time to organize my beads and was quite surprised to see the collection I had managed to put together! And naturally I just had to share it on my blog!!

So here is a collage of my beads – a lot of blues and reds, so next time I should be shopping for other colours I guess!!

They are great for storing little knickknacks. I filled up mine with little glass stones. My daughter wants me to give it to her as she has her Barbie things to store!

They will also make great vases, though the mouth is a little wide, so you will need to either fill it with a whole lot of flowers or insert a small holder. Also, since a vase looks better if it is long, ensure that the last fold (before it is shaped out) is made smaller.

Origami Details:

Model: Star Container

Origin: Traditional

Instructions Link: Marigami Origami

Photo Instructions Link: Tweety Atelier

Tutorial Link: Youtube

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Size: 5 – 8 inch square

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.

Origami Details:

Model: Goblet

Creator: Samuel Randlett

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Instructions Link: Asociación Española de Papiroflexia

Instructions for getting a hexagon from a square/rectangle: Roberto Gretter WWW Home Page

Paper Size: 7 inches

Paper Ratio: Regular Hexagon

The blog’s author is Sarah Jacob, a very versatile craftster, who works on a variety of crafts ranging from paper crafts, to card making, to beading and handmade jewellery. She is also great at baking and has posted a few recipes too..

I love the jewellery she makes, a sample below. Some more of her earrings here.

This is a very cute Christmas card that she had posted recently.

So do be sure to check out her blog and keep in touch. She has some great plans for this year and I am looking forward to some great posts from her

These cute little sheep, designed by Roman Diaz, would have been a great addition to my nativity scene, last month. I will be sure to add it to my Christmas collection for this year though

The model works best with paper that is black on one side and white on the other. I initially tried out with brown/dark brown paper that had a 4 inch side. The second one I tried was the brown/yellow one, using 2 inch squares. So in the end the models turned out like a mother and her baby!

The folds are slightly tricky but doable and the end result is pretty realistic. The model will make a great addition to my origami animals collection..

Origami Details:

Model: Sheep

Creator: Roman Diaz

Creator’s Blog: Daily Dose of Origami

Book: 4 Esquinas Vol 1

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Instructions Link: 4 Esquinas

Paper Size: 2 – 4 inches square

Image © Bill Watterson's 'The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes'

Happy New Year! I hope that this new year is a blessing to each of you.

Much as I would like to not make any resolution, like Calvin, I think resolutions do help in keeping track of what I do through the year. I work in the software industry and have taken goal-setting in my stride. And it makes sense to do the same in my blog too..

So, similar to my last year’s goals, here is my list for this year

• I still want to work on at least 15 posts a month
• I really need to work on more complex origami. This has turned out to be nearly impossible to meet, but I have high hopes of achieving the goal this year
• In addition, I also want to move to a self-hosted blog. This has been on the back burner for a few months now and I think I should really act on it and get cracking!
• I want to try out other paper crafts, including Kirigami. At least 1 post a month on paper craft other than origami seems to be a reasonable goal

Well, not many goals and I believe I will be able to achieve them

1. I seem to have done fairly well on the number of posts per month, though I never did manage to cross 15! I had taken a month off (August 2011) and other than that, I have managed to post from 9 to 15 posts with most of them based on origami.

2. Tutorials – I haven’t really done great. I was supposed to make at least 6 and ended up making only 4. The list of tutorials that I did make this year -

• Christmas Paper Globes
• Modular Flower
• Simple Modular Star
• Snowflakes

Maybe I should create a separate, listing my tutorials..

3. The last was to work on at least 6 complex origami models – again didn’t quite achieve this goal. I ended up making only 2 complex origami

• TUVWXYZ Star
• Barracuda

I addition to my goals, I did manage to do a couple more interesting things. I have started commenting on other blogs (which isn’t very easy for me) and I even managed to make a new friend, a blog buddy! Her name is Sarah Jacob and she is the author of the blog Craftzy. I will write a separate post on her, she is a very versatile person and this by-note will not do her justice! I am enjoying getting to know her..

2011 has been a great year on a personal front too. God has been gracious to my family and kept us hale and healthy through the year. My father was diagnosed with  a block in his heart in the nick of time, underwent surgery and by God’s grace, is firmly on the road to recovery. My mother completed her course of work and has finally retired! She is enjoying being at home and trying out a lot of cooking/baking and using us as guinea pigs!! My husband got a much-awaited promotion at work and still continues to be a workaholic! My daughter enjoys her school and takes a lot of pleasure in learning – a joy to us My brother and his wife had set up a business of their own and by God’s grace, that is also doing well. As for me, I am having a lot of fun with my blog, my family, my daughter especially, my church/ministry activities (though it isn’t really a great deal of work on the ministry front), my work.

2011 has been a great year and as we step into 2012, I pray that God continues to provide us with His joy and peace and that His presence remains with us in the new year

Wish you a blessed and joyous Christmas, dear readers! May the joy and peace of Christmas be with each and every one of you now and in the new year to come

I read this Christmas Affirmation in a Christmas greeting that I received recently:

I believe that Christmas is more than a time for parties and ornaments; it is a time for remembering Christ and the incarnation of God’s love in human flesh.

I believe there are gifts more important than the ones under the Christmas tree, the things we teach our children, the way we share ourselves with friends, and the industry with which we set about reshaping the world in our time.

I believe that the finest carols are often sung by the poorest voices; from hearts made warm by the wonder of the season.

I believe in the angel’s message that we should not be afraid – that the Child of Bethlehem is able to overcome all anxieties and insecurities.

I believe in prayer and quietness as a way of appropriating Christmas – that if I wait in silence I will experience the presence of the One born in the manger, for He lives today as surely as He lived then.

I believe in going away from Christmas as the wise men went: “another way.” I want to be different when these days are past – more centered, more thoughtful, more caring.

And I believe God will help me. Amen

- Anonymous

I have working on some of the origami from John Montroll’s ‘Christmas Origami‘. I thought it would be great if I could complete the Holy Family from the book. I then continued, making the wise men and the shepherds. I was also wondering if I should make the angel and a couple of sheep, but decided to stop with this.

It is possible to make the characters stand by bending the origami slightly in half, but unfortunately I just couldn’t get a picture of the entire set by doing this. One or the other would fall flat on its face, until I got very frustrated and used toothpicks to prop up the people Much easier!!

Origami Details:

Model: Nativity Scene

Creator: John Montroll

Book: Christmas Origami

Author: John Montroll

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Paper Size:

Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Wise Men – 6 inches square

Cane – 3 inches square

Baby Jesus – 3 inch square

Cradle – 6 inch square

Manger – 10 inch square

Affirmation

The Modular Sea Urchin Star is a simple design, by Martin Sejer Andersen. Rather than a sea urchin, the model looks more like a snow-capped star, I think It is a fun model to fold, looks a little like the Bascetta but with much more slender arms.

A total of 30 units are required. The units are folded from a rectangle with sides in the ratio 1:2. Folding the units is over in a jiffy. Assemly is the usual dodecahedron assembly – 3-unit modules joined together in rings of 5 each.

Sorry about the bad photography! I seem unable to take a good pic of this model, but I assure you it is a very beautiful model to fold and is great for the Christmas tree.

Origami Details:

Model: Sea Urchin Star

Creator: Martin Sejer Andersen

Creator’s Links: Flickr!, Youtube

Difficulty Level: Simple

Tutorial Link: Youtube

Number of modules: 30

Paper Ratio: Rectangle with ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 2 inches by 4 inches