Howcast

How to Make a Paper Balloon Water Bomb

Howcast — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:01:11 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Take a square paper Take a square piece of paper, fold it over diagonally, and crease the edge, so you have a triangle. Open the paper flat again and cross over the other side diagonally, creasing the edge, so that when you spread the paper square you now have an “X” in the middle. Now fold the paper in half, from top to bottom, and crease the edge.
Step 2: Fold the sides Take the top right corner and tuck inward, toward the center of the paper’s bottom edge, and press. Do the same with the other side. You should now have a triangle.
Step 3: Fold again Take the bottom right-hand corner of the top layer of paper and fold it up so that it meets the tip of the triangle; crease the bottom edge. Repeat with the other side. Now flip the paper and repeat on the reverse side. You’re halfway through to making your paper balloon water bomb!
Step 4: And fold some more Holding the paper like a diamond, fold the right tip of the top layer over to the crease in the middle of the diamond. Repeat with the left side. Then flip the diamond and repeat with the reverse side.
Step 5: Tuck the wings Take the 2 wing flaps and tuck them into the pockets that have been formed. Press firmly and repeat on the other side.
Step 6: Find the hole and blow Find the hole at the bottom, hold the paper loosely in your hands, and blow to inflate the paper balloon. Fill it with water and you’ve made a paper balloon water bomb. Now just be careful who or what you toss that water bomb at!
FACT: Englishman Edgar Ellington accidentally invented the water balloon in 1950 while trying to create a waterproof sock.

You Will Need

Square piece of paper

How to Fold an Origami Heart

Howcast — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:52:23 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold top right corner, bottom right corner, unfold Fold the top right corner down to the bottom left corner to form a triangle. Then fold the bottom right corner to meet the top left corner to make a smaller triangle. Unfold everything to reveal an X created by the creases.
Step 2: Create eight equal sections in creases; fold opposite way Fold the bottom edge up to the top, creating a rectangle. Then fold the left edge over to the right to form a square. Unfold everything once again and you’ll see eight equal sections in the creases. Flip the paper over and refold everything so all the folds crease both ways.
Step 3: Create two stacked diamonds Unfold everything and lay the paper flat. Bring the lower left corner to the upper right to form a triangle. Then fold the lower left corner of the long edge of the triangle under, so that’s it’s even with the top corner of the triangle, and crease it firmly. Repeat with the lower right corner. The shape will resemble two diamonds stacked upon one another.
Step 4: Create two points on top; fold Make the sure the diamond sitting on top is the one with a crease running down its length. Then fold the top third of the top layer of the top point down, flip it over, and repeat. The top will now have two points. Fold each point downward to meet the edge of the previous fold.
Step 5: Form rounded tops and sides of heart Fold the very tips of the top points downward to form the rounded tops of the heart. Fold the tips of the two side points inward to form the rounded sides of the heart.
TIP: Glue these last four folds down to make the heart sturdier.
Step 6: Insert money or treat Flip the heart over and insert money, a thin piece of candy, or a ring for your loved one into the pocket.
FACT: An adult man’s heart is actually bigger than a woman’s, weighing in at about 10 ounces. An adult woman’s heart weighs about 8 ounces.

You Will Need

Square sheet of paper
Dollar bill
thin candy
or ring
Craft glue (optional)

How to Make an Origami Ninja Star

Howcast — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:02:28 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the paper in half Cut the paper in half horizontally. Then fold one of the halves horizontally, and then fold it horizontally again so you’re left with a long rectangle.
Step 2: Fold the skinny rectangle in half Fold the skinny rectangle in half vertically, creasing it and making a short skinny rectangle. Open the fold and lay the paper flat in front of you.
Step 3: Fold right end diagonally Fold the right side of the rectangle diagonally so the top edge meets the crease.
TIP: The rectangle should be transformed into the shape of the letter L.
Step 4: Fold left end diagonally Turn the L-shaped piece around 180 degrees and fold the other side the same way, but in the opposite direction. The piece should now look like a zigzag line.
Step 5: Fold the ends in half Flip the piece over and lay it vertically and fold the top right corner of the top square to the bottom left corner of the top square, making a triangle. Fold the entire triangle down and toward you, onto the middle section. Then repeat with the other side.
TIP: Your piece should now be in the shape of a diamond.
Step 6: Repeat with other piece Repeat this process with the other half of the original paper, and then hold the pieces in front of you with the flaps unfolding toward you. Hold the right one with the middle line horizontal and the left one with the middle line vertical.
Step 7: Put together the pieces Put the left piece inside the middle of the right piece, and then open all the flaps.
TIP: At this point you will see an X formed by the two pieces in the middle.
Step 8: Fold the flaps in Starting with the bottom right flap, fold them all in to the middle overlapping around clockwise. Tuck the top right flap over the middle and into the bottom right flap, and you have yourself a ninja star.
FACT: The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year.

You Will Need

A sheet of printer paper
Scissors

How to Fold an Origami Swan

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:35:07 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold one corner and unfold Begin with the white side up. Fold one corner to the opposite corner, making a diagonal crease, and then unfold.
TIP: To make a family of baby swans, use a range of smaller sheets of paper.
Step 2: Fold both edges to the crease and unfold Fold one edge over, lining it up against the diagonal crease made in Step 1. Then repeat on the adjacent side, forming a kite shape.
Step 3: Fold the long edges to the center crease Turn the paper over to the colored side and fold the long folded edges to meet on the center crease, similar to Step 2. You should now have an even skinnier kite shape with two small white triangular “eyes” near the top.
Step 4: Fold the skinny point Fold the long skinny point to the opposite point.
Step 5: Fold the same point to the centerline Now fold the same point down so it meets the point at the centerline between the two white triangles.
Step 6: Fold the entire model in half Pick up the entire model and fold in half along the existing crease, making sure that the head and neck are on the outside.
Step 7: Fold a neck and head Hold the swan at the white triangles. Gently lift up the neck to a graceful angle and squeeze it at the bottom to keep it in place. Do the same with the head.
Step 8: Spread the base Spread the base slightly apart, and your swan is ready to swim.
FACT: Did you know? A male swan is known as a cob, a female swan is a pen, and young swans are called cygnets.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

How to Fold an Origami Sailboat

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:33:53 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make a diagonal crease and unfold Start with the paper colored side up. Make a diagonal crease by folding one corner to the opposite corner. Unfold.
Step 2: Repeat with the other corners Repeat with the other two opposing corners. You should now have two diagonal creases on the colored side of the paper.
Step 3: Flip the paper, fold an edge and unfold Turn the paper over to the white side, fold one edge of the paper to the opposite edge, then unfold.
Step 4: Repeat but don’t unfold Repeat with the other two opposing edges, but this time do not unfold.
Step 5: Bring the four corners together Position the paper so that its folded edge is along the bottom. There should be creases on the paper that form a “V.” Hold the paper with each hand on either side of the “V.” Slowly bring your hands together, allowing the four corners to meet at the top.
Step 6: Place the model on the table Place the model flat onto the table in a diamond shape, making sure there are two flaps to the right and two flaps to the left of the vertical crease running down the center.
TIP: You’ve just made a Preliminary Base, which can be used to make a wide variety of models.
Step 7: Push the top front corner inside Unfold the base slightly and push the top front corner inside to the very center of the model.
Step 8: Turn over and repeat Turn over and repeat on the other side, and then return the model to the Preliminary Base shape. You should end up with an overall diamond shape, with two separate white triangles on top and a larger, colored triangle on the bottom.
TIP: The white triangles will become the boat’s sails and the colored triangle will be its hull.
Step 9: Fold the sails Fold one of the white sail triangles down over the “hull” as far as it will go. Now fold the white triangle back up at a point slightly below the level of the hull; this “sail” should now be smaller than the other “sail.” Tuck the pleat at the bottom of the sail between the layers of the hull.
Step 10: Fold the base If you want your boat to stand up on its own, fold the bottom corner of the hull up to the edge of the hull, where the two sails meet, then unfold it slightly. There you go, you’ve made a sailboat! Now keep making them until you’ve got a whole colorful fleet.
FACT: Did you know? The ancient Egyptians made boats out of the same material they used to make paper—the papyrus plant.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

How to Make a Bird Base

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:27:05 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold one corner to opposite corner and unfold Start with the paper colored side up. Make a diagonal crease by folding one corner to the opposite corner. Unfold.
Step 2: Repeat with other corners Repeat with the two other opposing corners. You should now have two diagonal creases on the colored side of the paper.
Step 3: Flip paper over and crease paper in half Turn the paper over to the white side. Fold one edge of the paper to the opposite edge, then unfold.
Step 4: Fold other edges over Repeat with the other two opposing edges, but this time do not unfold.
Step 5: Bring four corners together Position the paper so that its folded edge is along the bottom. There should be creases on the paper that form a “V.” Hold the paper with each hand on either side of the “V.” Slowly bring your hands together, allowing the four corners to meet at the top.
Step 6: Place model on table Place the model flat onto the table in a diamond shape, making sure there are two flaps to the right and two flaps to the left of the vertical crease running down the center. This is a Preliminary Base.
Step 7: Rotate paper with closed point at top Rotate the paper so that the closed point is at the top.
Step 8: Fold bottom right and left edges to center Fold the bottom right and bottom left edges of the uppermost flap to meet on the center vertical line.
Step 9: Fold closed point down and unfold Fold the closed point over the two flaps as far as it will go. Unfold.
Step 10: Unfold two flaps Unfold the two flaps back to the Preliminary Base.
Step 11: Lift top layer and bring sides in to flatten Carefully lift up the top layer of paper as far as it will go. Bring the sides in, toward the middle, using only existing creases in order to flatten the flap. Note that no new creases are made during this step. You should now have created a long diamond shape.
Step 12: Flip over and repeat Turn over and repeat Steps 8-11. You’ve made a Bird Base—now you can really start to spread your wings.
FACT: Did you know? “Ori” is the Japanese word for folding, and “kami” is the Japanese word for paper.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

How to Make an Origami Flapping Bird

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:26:13 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position Bird Base Position the Bird Base so that there are separate right and left flaps on the bottom. These flaps will be the tail and neck of the bird.
Step 2: Fold flap up and at angle Fold one flap up and out to the side at a 45-degree angle above the center horizontal, pivoting at the center of the model.
Step 3: Unfold Unfold.
Step 4: Fold flap in on itself Fold the flap in on itself, between the model’s two layers, along the existing creases. This reverse fold creates the tail.
TIP: Be sure to create your fold by pivoting at the center of the model, or your bird will flop, not flap.
Step 5: Repeat the reverse fold Repeat the reverse fold on the other side, folding the flap up and out to the side at a 45-degree angle above the center horizontal, pivoting at the center of the model, then unfolding and folding the flap in on itself, between the model’s two layers, along the existing creases. This creates the neck.
Step 6: Fold the head Fold the tip of the neck in on itself to form a head.
Step 7: Lower the tail Grasp the wings and lower the tail slightly so the bottom of the wing is centered in the middle of the tail.
Step 8: Fold one wing down Fold down the top of one of the two remaining center flaps diagonally to make a wing by pivoting at the lower corner of the back of the wing. Line up the front edge of the wing against itself and crease softly.
Step 9: Repeat with other wing Repeat with the other wing.
Step 10: Hold bottom of neck and pull the tail Grasp your bird at the bottom of the neck with one hand. Gently pull the tail with your other hand and. . . up, up, and away!
FACT: Did you know? The smallest origami flapping bird on record was made from a square of paper about 1/10 of an inch on each side and mounted on a needle.

You Will Need

A square of origami paper folded into a Bird Base
A flat surface

How to Make an Origami Inflatable Bunny

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:25:28 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold the edges to the opposite sides and unfold With the colored side up, fold one edge to the opposite edge, then unfold. Rotate the paper and do the same with the other two edges.
Step 2: Flip the paper over and fold corner to opposite Turn the paper over to the white side and fold one corner to the opposite corner. Unfold.
Step 3: Rotate the paper and repeat Rotate the paper and repeat with the other two corners. Do not unfold.
Step 4: Collapse into an upside-down pyramid You should have an overall triangular shape with creases that form a “V” on either side of the center vertical crease. Pick up the model and hold it with your fingers on either side of the “V.” Gently bring your hands together allowing the paper to collapse into an upside-down pyramid shape.
Step 5: Place on table Place the model back down on the table and arrange it so that there are two flaps on each side and the closed point is at the top.
Step 6: Fold bottom corners up Working only on the front flaps, fold the bottom right and bottom left corners up to the top point.
Step 7: Fold one top corner to create landmark crease To mark the center of the model, fold ONE of the top corners to the bottom and then crease, creating a landmark for the next step, and unfold.
Step 8: Fold corners to meet at landmark crease On the top layer, you should now have a diamond shape. Fold the right and left corners of the diamond to meet in the middle at the landmark.
TIP: You should now have two little triangles, the top edge of which has two layers. These form pockets that will be used later to lock the model.
Step 9: Fold top corners to cover pockets Keeping the pockets in place, fold the two top corners down and out to the side, covering the pockets.
Step 10: Fold outer corners to center Fold these outer corners to the center to meet. You should now have two tiny triangles covering the pockets.
Step 11: Tuck triangles into pockets Gently tuck these triangles INTO the pockets, forming a lock. The top layer of your model should now be a lozenge-shaped hexagon.
Step 12: Flip model over Turn the model over to the plain pyramid shape.
Step 13: Fold long sides to center Fold down each of the long sloping sides to align on the center vertical crease.
Step 14: Form upside-down triangle Pivoting on the lower right corner, grasp the bottom right flap and fold it over to the right. You will form an upside-down triangle with a top edge parallel to the bottom of the model.
TIP: You may need to adjust the fold using the pivot before creasing into place.
Step 15: Repeat on left side Repeat on the left side. You should now have an overall boat shape with a large sail.
Step 16: Fold bottom right edge to center Pivoting at the bottom of the center vertical crease, fold the bottom right edge of the boat to lie on the center vertical. Repeat on the left side.
Step 17: Arrange four flaps into “+” sign Keeping these flaps in place, pick up the model and look at it from the bottom—arrange the four flaps of the model into a “+” sign.
Step 18: Puff into small hole There’s a small hole in the center of the plus sign (+). Give a strong short puff into the hole to bring your bunny to life!
FACT: Did you know? Instead of a man in the moon, the Japanese see a rabbit making mochi, a traditional New Year’s treat made of smashed rice.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

How To Make an Origami Lily

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:42:56 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make diagonal creases and unfold With the paper colored side up, make a diagonal crease by folding one corner to the opposite corner. Unfold. Repeat with the two other corners. You should now have two diagonal creases on the colored side of the paper.
Step 2: Fold corners to the center and unfold Turn the paper over to the white side. Fold all four corners to the center and unfold.
Step 3: Fold edges to opposite edges Fold one edge of the paper to the opposite edge. Unfold. Repeat with the other two edges. Do not unfold.
Step 4: Bring four corners together Position the paper so that the folded edge is along the bottom. There should be creases on the paper that form a “V.” Hold the paper with each hand on either side of the “V” and slowly bring your hands together, allowing the four corners to meet at the top.
Step 5: Place model on table Place the model flat onto the table, making sure there are two flaps on the right and two flaps on the left and the closed point is at the top.
Step 6: Flatten down a flap Take one of the flaps and stand it up so that it is perpendicular to the table. Insert a finger between the layers of the flap to spread them open. Flatten down the flap, aligning the center vertical crease with the white layers underneath. There should now be two small white triangles at the bottom of the model.
Step 7: Repeat on the other side Turn over and repeat on the other side.
Step 8: Rearrange and flatten remaining flaps Rearrange the flaps so that you can perform the same maneuver (squash) on the remaining two flaps. When you are finished, make sure that there are now four flaps on each side and that two white triangles are visible.
Step 9: Fold the white triangles to the center Working with one layer only, fold in the sloping side of the right white triangle to align on the center vertical line. Repeat on the left side. Unfold both sides.
Step 10: Lift the bottom edge and flatten You now have a large colored triangle above two white ones with creases running through them. Lift the bottom edge of the colored one up and back as far as it will go, drawing the sides together. The sides of the white ones should meet along the center vertical, forming a kite-shaped flap. Flatten this down so you don’t have any white showing.
Step 11: Flip the model and repeat Turn over and repeat Steps 9 and 10 on the other side.
Step 12: Flip the model two more times and repeat Rearrange the flaps and do Steps 9 and 10 on the remaining two sides.
Step 13: Fold sloping edge to center line and repeat Rearrange the flaps evenly so that there is a plain surface (without any flaps) on the front and back. Starting at the closed end of the model and working with one layer only, fold the sloping edge to lie on the center vertical. Repeat on the right side.
Step 14: Flip model and repeat Turn the model over and repeat Step 12 on the back.
Step 15: Rearrange and flip Rearrange the flaps to reveal the two remaining plain sides and repeat Step 12 front and back.
Step 16: Fold down four flaps Rotate the model so that the closed end is at the bottom. Taking each in turn, fold down the four flaps at the top of the model to form petals.
TIP: You can give the petals a nice curl by wrapping them around a pencil.
Step 17: Arrange petals Arrange the petals to your liking, then stop. . . and smell, or at least admire, your flower.
FACT: The lily was a sacred plant in ancient Japan, and Sayuri—or “Sacred Lily”—is a popular girl’s name.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface
A pencil

How to Make an Origami Bat

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:39:26 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position paper as diamond Position the paper in front of you in a diamond shape with its white side up.
Step 2: Fold bottom corner up Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner.
Step 3: Fold right corner to left and unfold Fold the right corner over to the left corner, crease it, then unfold.
Step 4: Fold right corner to top and then to bottom Fold the right corner up to the top. Then fold the same corner back down to the bottom, creating a smaller triangle.
Step 5: Fold top side of small triangle to bottom Fold the top horizontal side of this small triangle out to the bottom sloping side.
Step 6: Repeat on left side, then flip model Repeat Steps 4 and 5 on the left side, then turn the model over.
Step 7: Fold top corner down Fold both layers of the top corner down to the bottom corner.
Step 8: Fold smaller triangle half above larger triangle Fold both layers back into a smaller triangle that sits half above and half below the larger triangle.
Step 9: Fold protruding portion behind model Fold half of the protruding portion of the triangle behind the model.
Step 10: Fold sloping edges of large triangle to center Fold the two sloping edges of the large triangle to align on the center vertical, allowing the back flaps to flip forward.
Step 11: Pull out loose corners At the bottom of the model, there are two loose corners that extend beyond the top layer. Pinch a corner in each hand and pull them out. Yikes, it’s a bat!
FACT: Did you know? Tropical bats pollinate flowers and drop seeds for many trees—including bananas, mangos, nuts, dates, and figs.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

How to Make an Origami Fish

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:30 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold corner to opposite corner and unfold Begin with the white side of the paper facing up. Fold one corner to the opposite corner creating a diagonal fold. Unfold.
Step 2: Fold edges to center line and unfold Fold one edge to line up on the center diagonal line. Fold an adjacent edge to meet on the center line, creating an ice cream cone shape. Unfold completely.
Step 3: Repeat on other end of paper Repeat Step 2 on the opposite end of the paper. Unfold completely.
Step 4: Rotate paper Rotate your paper so that the center diagonal crease is horizontal.
Step 5: Pinch triangular tab closed & fold it to one side Working on the bottom right and left edges at the same time, refold the ice cream cone folds. As you do this, the two sides should line up on the center diagonal and create a triangular tab that sticks up. Pinch the tab closed at its center and fold it to one side.
Step 6: Repeat, creating a second tab Repeat Step 5 on the remaining white edges, creating a second tab directly opposite the first. Fold it down in the same direction as the first.
TIP: This is a Fish Base, and you can use it to create whales, dolphins, sharks, and other sea creatures.
Step 7: Flip the paper over Turn the paper over to the smooth side.
Step 8: Fold a long point to the center Fold one of the long points to the middle of the model, lining it up on the center diagonal.
TIP: To make a swordfish, fold the long point back out, shortening it by creating a small pleat in the paper. The long point will be the “sword.”
Step 9: Fold the model in half Fold the model in half along the center diagonal so the tabs end up on the outside.
Step 10: Arrange so blunted end is the head You should have a blunted end (the head) and a long pointed end (the tail). The triangular tabs formed in Steps 5 and 6 are the fins.
Step 11: Fold the tail and fins Fold up the long end to form a tail to your liking. You can also reverse this fold in on itself to keep it in place. Adjust the fins to your liking, and don’t be coy — enjoy your paper koi.
FACT: Did you know: On Children’s Day in Japan, koi flags are raised—orange/red koi represent the mother, black koi represent the father, red/pink koi represent girls, and blue/white koi represent boys.

You Will Need

A sheet of square origami paper (6″ x 6″ / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface

How to Make an Origami Jumping Frog

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:33:59 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position the card Position the card in front of you with the lined side facing up, and one of the short sides closest to you.
TIP: The stiffer the paper you use, the farther your frog will jump.
Step 2: Fold the top corner to the opposite edge & unfold Fold the top left corner over to the right edge, forming a triangle. Unfold.
Step 3: Repeat on the other side Now do the same with the top right corner. Unfold. You should now have a large “X” on the top half of your card.
Step 4: Flip the card over Turn the card over to the plain side.
Step 5: Fold the short edge to the X and unfold Fold the top of the X (short edge) to the bottom of the X. Unfold.
Step 6: Flip the card and poke the X Turn the card back over to the lined side. With your finger, gently poke in the middle of the X, forming a slight scoop shape.
Step 7: Bring the sides together and flatten the top With each of your forefingers, bring the sides of the scoop together. Flatten down the top into a triangular shape.
Step 8: Fold the frog’s arms Working only on this triangular shape, fold the bottom corners up to the top, forming the frog’s arms.
Step 9: Fold the sides to the center The overall shape of the card should now be like a house. Fold the sides of the “house” in, to meet in the center.
Step 10: Fold the bottom to the top Fold the bottom of this narrow “house” all the way to the top. Crease gently.
Step 11: Double the edge back on itself Fold this same edge back to the new bottom, again creasing gently. This forms the back legs of the frog.
Step 12: Arrange the legs Looking at the model from the side, arrange the back legs of the frog to form a “Z” shape.
Step 13: Jump Place your frog on the table and give its back a gentle and quick tap. Now jump to it!
FACT: Did you know? In Japan, frogs are symbolic of good luck, and frog charms are often given as gifts to travelers.

You Will Need

A 3″ x 5″ index card
A flat surface

How to Make an Origami Crane

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:33:49 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Position Bird Base Position the Bird Base so that there are separate right and left flaps on the bottom. These flaps will be the tail and neck of the bird.
Step 2: Fold the right flap to the center edge Narrow the top layer of the right flap by folding its outer edge to meet the center vertical edge.
Step 3: Fold the left flap to the center edge Narrow the top layer of the left flap by folding its outer edge to meet the center vertical edge.
Step 4: Flip the model over and repeat Turn the model over and repeat, narrowing the remaining layer of the right and left flaps on the other side.
Step 5: Fold entire right layer over Fold the entire top right layer over to the left side, along the center vertical.
Step 6: Flip the model over and repeat Turn the model over and repeat, folding the top right layer over to the right side, along the center vertical.
Step 7: Fold the bottom flap up Fold the top layer of the long pointed bottom flap all the way up to the top. This forms the tail.
Step 8: Flip the model and repeat Turn the model over and repeat, folding the remaining long pointed bottom flap all the way up to the top. This forms the neck.
Step 9: Fold head Fold the tip of the neck in on itself to form a head.
Step 10: Fold left layer over Fold the top left layer over to the right side, along the center vertical.
Step 11: Flip model over and repeat Turn the model over and repeat, folding the top left layer over to the right side, along the center vertical.
Step 12: Pull tail down Pick up the model and hold it in the middle along the bottom. With your other hand, reach in between the layers and pull the tail down and out to a pleasing angle.
Step 13: Repeat to pull neck down Repeat on the other end to form the neck, and pull out the head.
Step 14: Fan the wings Gently spread apart the wing flaps, allowing the crane’s back to spread open.
FACT: Did you know? An origami crane folded in 2001 in a Japanese stadium had a wingspan of 256.5 feet—nearly the length of a football field.

You Will Need

A square of origami paper folded into a Bird Base
A flat surface

How to Make an Origami Box

Howcast — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:44:05 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Place paper sideways Place the paper on the flat surface with the long edges at the top and bottom.
TIP: 8 ½” x 11″ printer paper works well, but the cover (or a page) of a magazine works even better—and it’s a great way to recycle.
Step 2: Fold long edge to opposite edge and unfold Fold one long edge to the opposite long edge, crease, then unfold.
Step 3: Fold longs edge to center and unfold Fold one long edge to meet the center crease you just made. Now do the same with the other long edge, so they both meet in the center. Unfold completely.
Step 4: Fold short edge to opposite edge and unfold Rotate your paper and fold one short edge to the opposite short edge. Unfold.
Step 5: Fold short edge to center Fold each short edge to meet the center crease similar to Steps 1 and 2. Do not unfold.
Step 6: Fold corner nearest bottom right-hand crease Orient the paper so that one of the long folded edges is closest to you. There should be three vertical creases in your paper. Starting at the bottom of the right hand crease, fold the nearest corner so that the folded edge lines up along the nearest vertical crease. Crease hard through all the layers.
Step 7: Repeat creasing. Repeat this creasing on the three remaining corners.
TIP: You should now have a football shape with four triangular corners, two short edges, and two long, loose edges in the center of the model.
Step 8: Fold loose edge away from center Fold one of the loose edges as far as it will go away from the center (over two of the triangles), bending the two small end tabs over to ‘lock’ the edge in place. Repeat with the other edge.
Step 9: Lift up box Place your thumbs inside and under the hemmed edge, and gently lift upwards to open up the box.
Step 10: Pinch corners Pinch each corner and you’re done. Now make another one for a lid!
FACT: Did you know? Origami began in China and later caught on in Japan, where documents were folded in order to “certify” and secure them.

You Will Need

A sheet of rectangular paper
A flat surface
The cover or a page from a magazine (optional)