This is an illusion..

A Bouquet of Flowers

2011-03-04T23:25:00.004+08:00

Most girls just love flowers besides handbags, shoes, clothes, fragrance, cosmetics, etc =) A half dozen of real roses will be about RM50-60 and one dozen would be around RM100. Prices will varies depending of what type of flowers and wrapping style. It will be much much cheaper if purchase from Cameron Highlands. Maybe RM10 will get 10 fresh roses, minus the wrapping.

With RM10, an origami flower with a single leaf can be made (by Stephen Hecht). Here is a bouquet of three flowers with wrapping. Happy International Women's Day on the 8th of March 2011.

Video instruction on YouTube. A photo instruction can be found here.

Gong Xi Fa Cai : Year of the Rabbit 2011

2011-02-06T01:35:00.000+08:00

Made from RM1 note. Gong Xi Gong Xi !!

Year of the Rabbit 2011

2010-12-23T18:58:00.001+08:00

Another new year is coming round the corner. X'mas is just a few days away and then the New Year. This come a little bit early =) Design by Noboru Miyajima (link) and folded from a 150x150mm pink color paper. Gong Xi Fa Cai !!

Happy Chinese New Year 2010 !

2010-02-16T00:50:00.002+08:00

This year is the year of the Golden Tiger and falls on the same day as Valentine's Day. Hope everyone has a good double celebrations and holidays.

This tiger model was folded 2 years back from Origami Tanteidan Convention Book 1, by Issei Yoshino. The paper was 150x150mm and a bit too small to fold the details of the face.

Origami Display at D'Monte Childcare Center Open Day

2009-11-02T00:30:00.000+08:00

This year, 31 Oct 2009, once again, I displayed my origami art at my sister's childcare center. I brought most of my origami models this time as have 3 tables to use. However, there were much less visitors as the Open Day was on Saturday. Only 4-5 children visited my booth. I didn't even manage to teach any of the children to fold >< One was interested, but she wanted to fold all the difficult models.

While waiting for visitors, I folded some napkin models from a book that was given by a friend who bought it from China.

Three types of shirt folds

Double candle

Star

Cabbage rose

2009-11-01T22:07:00.001+08:00

Another type of rose fold, which is called cabbage rose ( 捲心玫瑰). The diagrams in this site are in Mandarin, but folding language is universal so I was able to understand it =) Folded from a 250x250 mm florescent pink color paper. It has a lot of small pointy pedals.

Rose..rose..

2009-10-07T13:34:00.001+08:00

Pentagon rose designed by Leong Cheng Chit

The pentagon is cut from a 120x120mm square orange color paper. The result is a 25x25mm nice looking little rose although the color came off a bit.

Grasshopper from palm leaf

2009-08-31T23:15:00.004+08:00

Few days ago, my sister asked me if I know how to make a grasshopper from leaf. Well, we have seen people selling these leaf grasshopper at some markets or at tourist attraction places and wandering how it was made. So, I tried my hand on this model after finding some palm leaves around my apartment area but got lots of mosquito bites as it was dawn dusk >< Below is the model that I made

This is the video link of making the grasshopper from coconut/palm leaves that I followed.

[10 Sep 2009] Updated with another 2 more leaf grasshoppers. The bigger one was using a harder leaf where it antennas were not that flexible. The back left grasshopper was the first model.

Napkin Folding #3

2009-08-01T01:22:00.003+08:00

Last Monday, got another grey napkin from E&O after having International buffet there with family =) Suddenly felt the urge to make some napkin folds..

Cockscomb

Lover's Knot

Coronet

Crown [Not in the book]

This model was seen a lot in the restaurants last time and uses paper napkin.

Home for WALL-E and EVE

2009-06-23T22:26:00.000+08:00

Finally, a complete home for WALL-E and EVE. Actually, last year, I have made a plastic container for them but without a nice looking background. During the last weekend, I found a suitable background from the Guardian promotion catalog which was about to be dumped =)

Even the umbrella positions are matching for both of them. On the left side are the compacted rubbish cubes.

Top view: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle behind EVE

Refer to the making of WALL-E and EVE for details on the models.

Reverse engineering - Hearts

2009-06-22T23:34:00.000+08:00

Hearts can have different meanings, depending how you look at it. Besides the "real" meaning, it can be caring, forgiving, encouraging, supporting and comforting. A friend passed some origami hearts for me to "reverse-engineer" them. So far, I have only completed two of them and will try to diagram the steps when I have more free time =)

The left is a crane and the right is a fish, both from a single square paper. The top are the original models.

Kyubi no Kitsune : Nine-tailed fox

2009-06-09T00:11:00.001+08:00

I have wanted to make a Kyubi no Kitsune (image) from Naruto anime for quite some time but seems to be unsuccessful as only crease pattern was provided. For the pass few weeks, I started folding the crease pattern (see below) provided by Kim Young Won. The darker lines are valley folds. As the crease pattern is incomplete, I have to figure out those missing folds so that it can be collapsed into a workable base.

I started with a 245x245mm tracing paper with 40x40 grid. After some tinkering with the folds, I finally got the base ready.

The base was really thick

The completed Nine-Tailed Fox

As you can see, the legs and paws were not done properly. Final shaping will take some time. Anyhow, I was satisfied with the results.

Fox with nine tails

Top-side view

Here is a better model of the Nine-tailed fox by Guspath Go but no diagrams or crease pattern were provided. The only info is from a forum stating that about 75% of the paper is used to make the tails.

Teddy bear

2009-05-17T16:58:00.000+08:00

Fluffy the teddy bear by Marc Kirschenbaum. I folded it with a 210x210mm dual-color paper. The result is a 70mm tall teddy bear. This should be my third time folding it, but still unable to make the proper stand at the back of the model. This was also a birthday gift as of the previous second model. The first was a test fold =)

Napkin Folding #2

2009-05-09T12:46:00.002+08:00

With a the photo provided by the link below, I managed to "reverse-engineer" (a geek's term) it with some similar fold =)

Link : http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00cMsEtADPHUuSM/Wedding-Party-Table-Dinner-Napkin-ZQ01-.jpg

Here is what I have folded, using a real napkin. But the napkin is not square shape, so it was not that symmetrical.

More napkin folds will be coming soon on this blog...

"Chocolate" Baby

2009-05-06T13:30:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, my friend asked me if I can fold a Jack-Jack origami model. Jack-Jack is the baby from the movie "The Incredibles" and he just looks like a normal baby except when he wears the mask and with his spiky hair.

Jack-Jack

After having a thought how to fold just the head of Jack-Jack, I recalled diagrams for baby. This baby model is from Robert J. Lang's "Origami Design Secrets", folded from 125x125mm brown color baby. The final model is about 55mm height. Ops..I missed out a fold at his diapers =)

[Update] Due to popular request, I managed to get some spiky hair at the top, but the head is not 3-D anymore. As for the mask, I had to use additional paper for that =) And I fixed the "diapers". However, still missing his ears..

Napkin Folding #1

2009-05-03T19:48:00.011+08:00

Candle fan - this neat looking, symmetrically folded shape is designed to be inserted in a glass. It was folded with a napkin from a well-known fast-food chain =) As there is no point keeping the model, the napkin can be recycled and reused.

I have to find ways to get my hands on some other good color napkins =D

To cat lovers..meow..meow..

2009-05-02T17:50:00.004+08:00

Cat Herr designed by Fumiaki Kawahata, diagrams in Origami Tanteidan Convention Book 14. Folded from 250x250mm brown color paper.

15-degree Cat designed by Seiji Nishikawa, diagrams in Origami Tanteidan Convention Book 14. Folded from 125x125mm black color paper. This model looks like the cats in the Ancient Egyption time =)

Kangaroo

2009-04-26T17:55:00.002+08:00

Its been two months passed since I last updated this blog. I was extremely busy with work because of the crazy tight schedule. Supposed to have one project, but because of some issues, ended up doing another project in parallel. Since the projects can be considered completed the "Phase 1", I can now have some rest before continuing with "Phase 2".

While I was browsing through some friends' photos in Facebook, I saw a photo of a kangaroo with a kind of nice "pose" =) So, searching for a kangaroo model , I made this from a 250x250mm brown color paper with diagrams in Origami Tanteidan Convention (OTC) Book 14, designed by Gen Hagiwara. This should be at least the third kangaroo model that I had folded.

Napkin Folding

2009-02-22T19:54:00.000+08:00

Today, I was in Borders just browsing around, readung on George Soro's comic, the recent financial panic and even a "manual" for the bridegroom. Suddenly saw this book placed at the side of a table near the children's corner at the back. Origami napkins, are mostly simple and yet elegant in display, especially during special events like weddings. As the book is on "Sale", I didn't think twice about buying it. At RM24.90 for 1100 colorful photographs of napkins and 150 ideas, plus history and etiquette on napkin, who can resist =) This will prove useful when it is needed during special occasions.

The Practical Guide to Napkins and Napkin Folding by Rick Beech

~ Happy Valentine's Day ~

2009-02-14T18:02:00.002+08:00

Happy Valentine's Day !

Two Interlocking Diamond Heart Rings by Jeremy Shafer from his book "Origami to Astonish and Amuse". Folded from a 210x210mm dual blue/red color paper. Sometimes, during wedding dinners, I will notice the photo of two wedding rings put together in the presentation slides. So, this model would make a perfect gift for the married couple.

A Token of Love by Francis Ow from the Origami Love Convention. Folded from a RM1 note and holding a 10 cents.

Love You can Bank On by Whitehead Wensdy from Origami Love Convention. Folded from a RM10 note.

May you make lots of Moo-ney this coming Chinese New Year !

2009-01-18T21:09:00.005+08:00

Moo-ooo...There is an Australian slang called "Wait till the cows come home". I guess you may have heard this phrase in some movies. The meaning is to wait for all day.

This is a very nice cow, with different spots on each side, together with horns and ears, even the udder. The model is designed by Noboru Miyajima and diagrammed in Origami Tanteidan Convention Book 5. I folded it with 250x250mm black color paper.

Chinese New Year coming soon...

2009-01-12T23:47:00.002+08:00

The Chinese New Year is just around the corner and 2009 is the year of the Earth Ox. Some will refer it is as Year of the Cow or Bull. Below are the explanation of each of the word.
Bull = Uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
Ox = An adult castrated bull
Cow = Female of domestic cattle

Anyway, there are a number of diagrams for the above animal (Maybe it is hard to differentiate between the bull and the ox in the origami model =). First, its the Bull model in Tanteidan Convention Book 11, designed by Stephan Weber, folded from a 250x250 mm brown color paper.

Guess everyone is hoping for a bullish stock market this year and the economy will recover soon. Hope everything will get better within this year.

Next, I will fold the Cow before Chinese New Year. So, stay tuned...

Models from Tanteidan Convention

2008-12-28T14:12:00.003+08:00

Last weekend, after finish folding the Bahamut, I started to fold some models from the Origami Tanteidan Convention books (OTC) published by Japan Origami Academic Society. All models are folded from one piece of square paper size 120x120mm.

Twin Pandas by Katsuhisa Yamada in Origami Tanteidan Convention 2

I modified the panda's eyes, so that the black area is be smaller and looks better. Anyway, the model looks like in a "compromising" position =)

Wizard by Hojyo Takashi in Origami Tanteidan Convention 2

As the diagram didn't state which paper side should start, the model ended up opposite of what I want. Anyway, it doesn't look that bad. I did the color change on the beard.

Goldfish type square by Seishi Kasumi in Origami Tanteidan Convention 14

Bear 2 by Jared Needle in Origami Tanteidan Convention 14

I like the detail face of the bear, with nose, eyes and lower jaw.

White Flower

2008-12-27T14:38:00.003+08:00

This flower is diagrammed in Origami Tanteidan Convention 14. It was designed by Manabu Ichikawa and supposed to form a bag with this unit. However, I modified the connection flap to become leaves =) It has a continuous of13 open sinks to form the flower in the middle.

Original flower unit

Added simple leaves

Another Bahamut (Divine Dragon)

2008-12-26T20:08:00.001+08:00

I tried making another Bahamut from tracing paper(500x500mm) as the 2 models previously didn't turn out properly. My second try photo was posted in July 14. Finally, this one looks much better. It took me about 7-8 hours within 2 days to complete folding it. The body can be folded correctly as the paper is thin. The head also has more details now with the lower jaw.

Mini Dragon 2

2008-11-19T23:16:00.000+08:00

This is another simple dragon model, by Jun Maekawa in the book "Viva!Origami", folded from a 120x120 mm red color paper. The final model is about 80mm in lenght and looks better with legs.

Hatching penguin

2008-11-16T22:50:00.001+08:00

This model is from Origami for Interpreters by Roman Diaz. Folded from 120x120mm red color paper. The model can be collapsed into an egg to hide the penguin inside.

Mini Dragon

2008-11-16T21:32:00.001+08:00

This a simple dragon by Akira Yoshizawa in his Creative Origami book, folded from a 120x120 mm light green color paper. I was motivated to fold this because one of the children who visited my origami demostration last week likes the complex dragon and I was unable to fold for him.

80 mm Dragon on a laptop

Comparing the nini dragon to the complex dragon

Tyrannosaurus Rex

2008-11-16T11:49:00.008+08:00

This dinosaur model was folded from a 455x455 mm green foil paper, bought from Popular for RM1.20. The total folding time was about 3 hours and the final model was about 300mm from nose to tail. Using this paper, it was very shapable but the color will come out from the creases and folds as most color papers do. I like the mouth as it is the only model that has "real" teeth. The diagrams are in Origami Fantasy by Fumiaki Kawahata.

Origami display at Child Care Center

2008-11-09T22:45:00.002+08:00

I was asked to setup a display of origami at a child care center, D'Monte for this Sunday. Some of the kids were quite interested in it and were able to learn up quickly on some simple models like frog and plane. I oso made jumping frog, crane, waterbomb, rat, bird, crab and flower for the kids. It was a fun and tired day dealing with small childrens. There were even some kids who asked me to fold the dragon and the dinosaurs on the spot. I told them politely that I didn't remember the steps and if remember also will need few hours to make them.

These were my most colorful models that I had made previously. Others were using just white paper or already became yellowish or faded color. I didn't know that I only have such small presentable collection. This makes me want to fold more good and presentable models for display next time.
[Update: 16 Nov 2008]
Me, folding in action =)

Prancing horse

2008-11-06T22:01:00.004+08:00

I have folded few pegasus and unicorn before but seldom fold real horse. So, here was the result of a nice posing horse from a 510x510mm brown color paper. The final model is about one third of the paper size. The diagram can be found in the Origami Tanteidan Convention 14 and designed by Quentin Trollip. The only difficult part as the author said was the open sink to form the mane. Well, the whole model will look nicer if the other side of the paper has another color. Then the mane and the tail will look distinctly contrast to the body color.

Besides the mane, I like the forming of the eyes and the mouth on this horse. Both folds really bring out the real features of the horse.

Orca

2008-10-28T21:05:00.001+08:00

This is another model from the book "Work of Satoshi Kamiya". I folded the Orca from a 240x240mm square light blue color paper. The final result was very 3D-like.

This is the simplified crease pattern of the model.

This is the Orca that I folded from the step-by-step diagrams.

As you can see, the model was floating in the air. If you notice carefully, you can see a fish string attached to the fin. While the model was unable to stay still, I had a hard time photographing it. The above was one of the best shot that I took from about 20 photos with and without flash. I can hold the model still with my hand, but I don't want to edit the photo after that to remove the hand.

Tree frog

2008-10-27T14:16:00.002+08:00

A nice detailed tree frog model from "Origami Design Secret" by Robert J Lang. I folded it from a 260x260 mm square green color paper. The paper is abit thick and the color will fade away at the creases.

Origami Post-it® Notes

2008-10-26T00:29:00.003+08:00

While searching for some simple origami diagrams, I found an interesting article that a British company, SUCK UK, producing Sticky Note Pads has pre-printed with step by step folding instructions on its note that let anyone folds the used notes into 10 different models. There are diagrams for pig, butterfly, penguin, boat, crane, squirrel, jumping frog, swan, lily and even a water bomb.

Below is a video on making an origami squirrel with the sticky note.

Goldfish

2008-10-12T15:14:00.001+08:00

Goldfish folded from a 150x150mm orange paper. The diagrams are from "Origami Sea Life" by John Montroll and Robert J. Lang. The eyes have a 3D round shape.

As the financial crisis is getting worst each day, gold is consider a safe haven for investors. Well, at least I can have a "gold"-fish for keeping =)

Snail on a leaf

2008-10-04T12:03:00.002+08:00

Before continue to shape the android, I managed to fold something simple. It was a two objects from a single sheet of paper. The snail was folded from a piece of 150x150mm green color origami paper. The diagrams are from "Passion Origami" by Nicolas Terry.

One-armed Android girl

2008-10-04T11:51:00.007+08:00

This is the continuation of the anime model from a 260x260 mm tracing paper. At first, I was just thinking of using blue-tack to hold the model in shape. Inside the head, a small ball of blue-tack was used. However, the body and feet need something thinner and stronger to hold the shape. Finally, I used aluminium foil pieces for the shaping. Overall, it turned out quite well, although still has some difficulty in interleaving the foil inside the model. The final model was about 120mm in height.

Shaping of the head from the android base

The completed One-armed android girl

Top-side view of the model

The back of the model with the foil in view

Modified fingers that looks better but the paper will become a bit thick

Anime models

2008-09-28T21:27:00.008+08:00

Below are models designed by Hideo Komatsu. Currently, I'm working on the one-armed android model (actual model), and therefore need to do some testing first. I'm using a 100x100mm notepad paper for the test folds.

Anime head, from original crease pattern, with 8x8 grid

I did some modification for the hair

Another body and head model. The paper was abit small as it uses 16x16 grid

The hand was quite difficult to shape

I started with a paper size of 240x240mm and making a 36x36 grid. With mathematical folding, I divided the paper to 3x3 and then 9x9, and finally 36x36. After long hours and days of precreasing and collapsing the grid, the android base was completed.

Completed base. Head is on the left, and the feet on the right side.

The back of the android base. The protruding part is the hand.

Now, the hardest part are shaping and holding up the shape. I'm still thinking of how to hold the shape in place as its not a foil-backed paper. This may take a long while before the final model is completed =)

Clapping Seal And T-rex head

2008-09-28T21:13:00.004+08:00

Both the models were designed by Robert J. Lang and diagrammed in his book, "Origami in Action". These types of models are a good way to entertain the kids, just like the flapping bird.

Clapping seal from a 100x100mm notepad paper.

T-rex head from a 150x150mm color paper. The jaw will open and close if you press the side of the head.

Cow's skull

2008-09-12T23:23:00.004+08:00

With much fascination on skeletons and fossils, I decided to fold this model..

Paper model of EVE

2008-09-01T12:57:00.004+08:00

Finally, I have completed the EVE model early this morning. Although only have a few pieces, it took a long time to cut them out. It was because the shapes were more rounded and had lots of flaps for gluing. The head and the body each had 16 "fingers", it was really a time consuming job to cut the pieces. Besides that, gluing each part was quite challenging and fun as for the rounded shapes.

Pieces after cutting

Assembly in progress

Completed model of EVE

EVE and WALL-E together

The head and hands for EVE are move-able, but not for WALL-E. Both models and instructions can be found at http://www.paper-replika.com/ and also other Wall-E models.

Origami money pond

2008-08-27T21:34:00.004+08:00

Even since I made the koi from RM10, I have been thinking of making money lily pad as a compliment for the fish. After making the lily pad, then thought about the lotus flower that should be in the pond too. Therefore, here are the results =)

Koi fish , lotus on lotus, lily pads

The koi fish was designed by Won Park. The single lily pad was designed by Akira Yoshizawa, but I modified it to be folded with money and therefore double the pads. Finally, the unblossom lotus on a lotus flower partly designed by me. The lower lotus was a known model, but I wanted another lotus on the extra length of the money. However, I was unable create another distinctively separated lotus on the same piece. Then, why not create a stem with another flower running by the side of the first lotus. Actually, was thinking about making a flower, which was folded recently, on top. Although it will look nice, but it doesn't look lotus-ish =) So, I just made a sort of preliminary base as the unblossom flower.

It will be abit expensive to keep these money origami models. So, it will be turned back to its main purpose soon ^o^ But, the RM1 models can be kept until their are needed..haha..

Paper model of Wall-E

2008-08-24T22:45:00.007+08:00

Two months ago, I have folded the Wall-E, designed by Brian Chan. Actually, the model was just a trial model as I made it from a printing paper. Therefore, the final model was not a good as I hope for.

Today, I completed a paper model of it which can be found here. The cutting process was started on Friday after work, but not consider "full-time" working on it as I was watching "Snowy Mountain Flying Fox" series. Wanted to finish it and watch other series =) During cutting, I tried to add-in more flaps for the model to stick together better. And also there was no other instructions on to fix the parts together, only have a "shadowy" blow-up view of the model. Therefore, I have mistakenly glued the eyes part shut without the neck portion connecting to it. So, I had to carefully peel-up the back portion of the eyes and sticked th neck to it.
Btw, I have also just watched Wall-E in cinema yesterday.

This is the only diagram instruction you will see in the file. I added the instruction for the neck.

Parts assembly in process

Completed model

There is another more complex Wall-E model can be found here which is hosted in paper-replika.com.

One ringgit origami

2008-08-16T23:14:00.006+08:00

I was in Border today and looking at some origami books. Then saw this book by John Montroll, titled "Dollar Bill Origami". Its interesting to fold using money as its the paper that always in your wallet, unless you only carry credit cards =) Below are some models from one ringgit note. As the one ringgit is shorter in lenght than the dollar, therefore some models don't look like the original design. You can look at the actual models here.

Tree

Eagle (The wings should be wider)

Flower (Minus the leave)

Songbird

2008-08-02T19:06:00.006+08:00

Using the left-overs of the black sugar paper (245x245mm), the songbird was "born". This design is in Robert J Lang's Origami Design Secrets, in the grafting section. As you can see, although not very clear, there were toes "added" to the feet of the bird. This will give the model a more realistic look and feel.

Most of the design will start of with a simple base and look. By applying techniques like grafting, tiling, circle packing and others, the design will become more complex and more life-like.

Update:
Some one from the internet asked for help on step 19 to 22, so I made a video on how to fold these steps. It was fun to capture the video from a webcam as you have to make sure the folds can be seen clearly while you are working on the steps.

Foiled-back paper - Turtle

2008-07-20T13:38:00.001+08:00

I was trying to make a foiled back paper. Found some left-over aluminium foil from the kitchen and glued it on the black sugar paper, using the 60 cents glue =) I didn't expect any great results from there, but some of the corners just didn't stick well. Anyway, I tried re-glueing them and thinking about what to fold with this paper, which is 14x14cm. Something which is black in color, a bat perhaps. Suddenly thought about turlte that I saw during a hike to Pantai Kerachut. Great, just need to find some simple folds as the paper will become very thick. The choice would be the turtle by Akira Yoshizawa's design in his book Origami Museum-Animals. The results were good. The body and neck did became thick but still ok. And the legs can be shaped nicely.

Final Fantasy : Bahamut

2008-07-14T17:11:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I have finally completed the Bahumut model, folded using black sugar paper (52x52cm). This is not a good choice of paper as its tear-prone and thick. I can't find any better big black, double sided color paper in the stationary shops. I have also used a lot of tapes on the inside of the paper so that it won't tear apart with all the folds. There were additional folds on the head that I left out because the paper become too thick and it went out of shape. This includes the lower jaw, which was almost torn-out (can't notice it in the photo).

Before this, I have folded the same model using a smaller foil paper(37x37cm), but the results were not satisfying. Below was the model folded about a month ago. This paper also was tear-prone and need tapes to hold it.

To fold other complex models, I was using tracing paper which was very strong and thin, but only in gray color. I will fold this again using the tracing paper, although the effect will not be as good as the black model.