Happy Easter - and see you in a while!

Easter and spring is here, and it is simply wonderful.

In a little while I'll be taking off to Berlin with my family for some restful days, and I just can't wait!

I have an awful lot on my hands at the moment, and will be putting the sort-of-weekly blog posts on hold for the summer. I might do the occasional recap, but otherwise I'll be back sometime in Autumn - because I do have lots and lots of ideas for paper designs, for wonderful things I feel like writing about and stuff to get curious about.

Have a fabulous Spring and Summer, and if you stopped by this blog for DIY's and inspiration, be sure to use the special page that links to all my posts with origami projects, free printables and so on - you will find it right here - or get inspired by my Pinterest boards.
 

Transparent Origami

My collection of paper is rather massive, and sometimes I force myself to go through the drawers, but I always end up not throwing anything away. I mean, I collect bits of gift wrap, interesting tickets and napkins, candy wrappers and pages from old foreign newspapers with interesting fonts. Road maps, beer coasters and that silky paper nice shops wrap up the clothes in, before it goes in the bag. Jeez. Those are some full drawers.

The other day I came across some of that lovely heavy and crisp egg shell white tracing paper - 'kalke' - we used at Architecture School, for doing the final drawings before they went to the printers. It's a bit parchment like, and semi transparent. It gave me the idea to make some origami that has that transparency as a sort of extra effect. The tracing paper turned out to be the most brilliant origami paper! The folds get super sharp, and it is strong, but still smooth, not coarse. Plus it slides through the printer like no problem!

I thought these so called gyroscopes were great in this kind of paper, because all the modules are made by double layers. So I made a design with a lot of random stripey patterns, and they look nice on top of each other. 

To make a 'spinning gyroscope' (click here for tutorial) you need twelve rather small origami squares to form six double star like shapes, that slides into each other in a really cool way! This is an easy and very satisfying modular origami project. I'm on my way to more complicated modular things, I think, but I'm not quite there yet!

I made this easy for you - just print the ones that I have made for you, in four pretty colors, cut them, and give it a go! These are fun to make, I promise!

See end of the blog post for info on tracing paper.

Get the 12-mini-origami-sheets PDF!

2021: I have a new location for my downloads, please go here:
Pink  /  Grey  /  Blue  /  Yellow  

What is tracing paper?

The paper I used was this kind, and you should be able to get something like it in any paper web shop or well stocked stationary or art supplies shop. Just gently tug the individual sheets off, and feed them into your printer tray. 

If you print a lot of dense patterns and color on tracing paper, you should leave it to dry for a while, before you start working with it.

Lunch on top of the world (sort of)

I have covered the fantastic place I go skiing with my family every year in blog posts before, here and here, but there is this special spot we've become very enthusiastic about, and it's definitely worth it's very own post. So here's where we had lunch a couple of weeks ago.

Restaurant Tusen is situated on a quite steep mountain slope, and you can only get to it on skis or by snow scooter. But there it is, quite impossible to imagine how they built it - and you can have a very tasty lunch indeed (for instance a gourmet reindeer hot dog with creamy mushrooms, yum. See last image!), or a hot chocolate and a kanelbulle. And stretch those tired legs. 

Clad in birch logs, and inspired by a sami tent - or a kåta - it looks like no other skiing facility I've ever seen! It was designed by Murman Architects from Stockholm, and built in 2009. If you happen to swing by Ramundberget in Härjedalen, do visit this place!

Taking a plunge

The fact that you can make a slight adjustment to an incomplete calendar by simply adding a day every fourth year, sounds like a solution so nuts, but at the same time pragmatic, that just imagining how anybody came up with it in the first place, makes my head spin. 

I had a school friend who was born on a leap day, so the whole wackyness of this phenomenon, has occupied my mind for the longest time! I like the English term 'Leap Day' though. In Danish it's called 'skuddag'  which sounds more like a day where you should go shoot someone. 

Get dizzy or take a leap! (and please don't shoot anyone)

A hidden heart origami letter

The other day I taught you how to fold traditional Japanese menko and tato envelopes. And if you didn't quite get around to it the other day, here's the chance. And I even designed this very romantic version, where you unfold and discover a hidden heart. 

The rest is up to you!

Download the special Valentines / Galentines / Palentines heart-letter origami paper here, in both passionate red and and a very girly and delicate pink. Print on both sides of the paper for this design, and start folding with the heart pattern facing you. 

 

2021: I have a new location for my downloads, please go here:
Red front  /  Red back  /  Pink front  /  Pink back

Learn how to fold the menko - video on YouTube here (and it's very easy, I promise.)

February 13th is Purple Hijab Day

Purple Hijab Day is an international day of raising awareness against domestic violence. It is founded in the Muslim community, in memory of Aasiya Zubair, who was murdered by her husband. You show your support for the cause by wearing a purple hijab, scarf, tie, hat - or whatever is at hand!

While it is by no means meant to be only a Muslim event, a very important focus of Purple Hijab, is to go against the prevailing stereotypical idea, that the Koran somehow allows violence against women, and that all Muslim men are misogynists or anti-feminist. In Denmark where I live, the demonisation of Muslims gets worse by the day in our media, and I find that extremely worrying. This is why I love it when things like this, helps us a few steps back on the right track. Or at least a better track.

I hope that lots of people will put on something purple today as a gesture towards more understanding between our different faiths, much more respect between the sexes - and in hoping that the generations to come won't have to celebrate it at all - or perhaps will do so, only to remember Aasiya's story and because it looks great. As in the image above, where a woman in Ethiopia have not only donned her purple hijab, but also painted her doorway purple. The image (the photographer is not credited, too bad - it's a fantastic picture) is from this article.

There are also countless pages about Purple Hijab on Facebook, go check it out if you are curious about local events or activities. 

Menko and Tato - folded origami letters

Okay, so we all agree that Valentines Day is a nasty old capitalist conspiracy. Now that we've gotten that out of our systems, I was thinking, maybe you have someone to give a small gift to on Sunday, or perhaps a flower? Or just a few words, or something?

So, after blogging under this name (look up at title header) for years, it's a bit odd that I've never done a Valentines post before, I guess. And since I started liking to fold small, practical origami bags, boxes, envelopes, etc., one thing lead to another.

Go make someone smile on Valentines Day - or is it Galentines? Or Palentines? Either way, these are fun to make, and very, very easy. They are big enough for a letter, saying you promise to empty the dishwasher more often - or a photo, a movie ticket, a diamond ring. 

Under each photo, links and explanations - and at the end of the post, links to the special, pretty red/pink large origami papers I have made especially for these. All of them are two sided, because these designs look so much better with color and pattern on both sides of the paper. 

I have saved you a lot of time and found the videos on YouTube (there are thousands of origami videos, and I promise you I have found a couple that are tested by me and easy to follow!) Happy folding!

Now, these - I call them Pinwheel Cards - are not even real origami. They are the most basic way to fold an envelope, but added a little twist. Make them from my template, that is by far the easiest way, and the template (print one on card stock and cut it out, and use it again and again) also explains the eight easy folds you have to make. 

Pinwheel Card template here

This is a basic One Sheet Menko, the simplest kind of origami envelope. It is a nifty little container, and of the four variations shown in this blog post, this the strongest, and one that actually closes tightly. It divides the paper into nine squares, which means it will be quite small. 

Make a One Sheet Menko - video on YouTube

This I will call a Pinwheel Tato - 'tato' being another kind of origami envelope - and it is also very simple, and only requires a bit of skill when the last fold is to be tucked under the first, for closing. You will make a couple of very messy looking ones first, and then you will get it. 

Make a Pinwheel Tato - video on YouTube

And now the last design: let's call it a Diagonal Pinwheel Tato. It is the trickiest, but actually I think it's a bit easier than the one above, it locks or closes more snugly. 

Follow the advice in the video and use a thin knitting pin or something like that, plus a ruler, to score the diagonal lines before folding them. It really works! And about half way in the video you will go: 'Whaaat??' - but watch it again, try, and soon you will see. And these odd looking folds will magically twist into this beautiful little flexible thing. I love that kind of origami!

Make a Diagonal Pinwheel Tato - video on YouTube

And now; the origami papers. All the ones shown in the photos above, for free download! Have fun.

Valentines red/pink origami # 1 - and the back side design for # 1

 

Valentines red/pink origami # 2 - and the back side design for # 2

 

Valentines red/pink origami # 3 - and the back side design for # 3

 

Valentines red/pink origami # 4 - and the back side design for # 4

 

Valentines red/pink origami # 5 - and the back side design for # 5

Masashi Wakui - Tokyo by night

As anyone who sometimes reads this blog knows, I'm a bit of a Japanophile, or whatever the phrase may be. I have visited Japan only once, about fifteen years ago, and I work hard at convincing my husband who hasn't been there, that we really, absolutely must go, some time. I know both he and my son would completely love it.

I came across this fine photographer - Masashi Wakui - who takes the most stunning pictures of street scenes in Tokyo, especially at night. They show a Tokyo actually very much as I remember it; a lot of hustle and bustle, but also lots of tranquil little alleys, and all of it vibrantly, insanely colorful. Lots of wild contrast; steel-and-glass high rise architecture next to two storey wooden houses, and an ancient shinto temple or perhaps a crazily noisy gaming arcade stuck in between. Rain, umbrellas, neon and red silk lanterns. Gleaming, shiny taxis (the Japanese taxi drivers wear white gloves and polish their cars every day. They also sometimes have little lace doilies on the headrests). It's just a marvellous place, full of wonder and unexpected things.

Taking pictures at night is so hard, I find, and his way of doing it is really seductive. He does a lot of sophisticated afterwork, and if you feel inspired, I came across a Photoshop tutorial for matching his visual style. Maybe worth a try? Interesting, anyway. 

In the meantime, enjoy his beautiful Tokyo.  

(All images copyright Masashi Wakui, from his flickr site)

January and Breeze Blocks

January has almost flown by in it's own dull way. I am very busy at the moment, and have less time for blogging than usual, but rather than pausing the blog, I'll just post whenever I can - and that's that. This is my space for sharing my paper craft craze, and also my drawer for keeping whatever I stumble upon, and somehow can't stop obsessing over.

Recently I have been dreaming about other times, places and warmer days on Instagram. I do that often, except when the place nauseates me with all it's peppy, staged wonderfulness, that has little to do with life as we know it. But who am I to criticize, I do that shit myself. I am in this dilemma most days of my life.
 

But Instagram is a great spot for curious souls to congregate and dream a bit, no matter the collective navel gazing. I like accounts with historic images, old architecture, and travel photography. And I have made a delightful and completely random discovery. 

I have fallen in love with breeze blocks, or as they are (apparently) more often called in US: cinder blocks. And what are they? Well, lightweight, ornamental building blocks, that allows the light and wind through decorative openings, one might say. 

They are an architectural detail I have often noted, and admired, and much seen in mid century modern architecture, but with roots in Arabic/Mauric and even Asian culture, at least the way I see it. And if you love geometric patterns, you must love breeze blocks.
 

When I was in Miami last year, I noted their practicality - the way they're adding a shading, cooling layer to a facade or in front of a patio or balcony. Apparently they are also a practical building material in areas with high winds or hurricanes.

I mostly love them for their abundant variety - when you get into the topic, it's unbelievable how many different kinds you have been able to get in the thirties to seventies, alone in the USA.

I've discovered that there are a lot of breeze-block heads out there: check Instagram or Pinterest!

My favorite spot - from where I have reposted all these images below - is @breezeblockhead, with images from all over the world, curated by the Australian architect Sam Marshall.

Se the bottom of the post for individual photo credits.

Images from top:
1: Brisbane by @endless_summer_studios, 2: by @kunstambauddr, 3: by @joegaldo, 4: Parker Hotel, Palm Springs by @meloccomoorearchitects, 5: Motel Mexicola by @concrete_swan, 6: by @breezeblockhead, 7: Barcelona by @stoptheroc, 8: by @jeremywilliam123, 9: by @rorythearchitect, 10: Palm Springs by @judeeeoliva.

Truly sad

When I heard the news about David Bowie's death this morning I was very moved and truly sad, a bit to my surprise, actually. I was at work, when I flicked some media open on my screen and saw it, and had tears in my eyes after reading the brief 'breaking news' story.

Come to think of it; maybe it's not that strange? For more than thirty five years I have never not listened to him, he is perhaps the one youth idol that has truly stayed with me, in the most constant way. 

The mass and scope of his art and of his whole electrifying person, is almost not comprehensible, and all his many colors and forms (and albums) have been interwoven with all important periods of my adult life. And all the unimportant ones, as well. And he, that is his music, has actually been a very real part of my life, I realized. I don't think I can say quite the same about any other artist? 

So yes, a sad and deeply thankful goodbye to David Bowie.

And a memory, one among many....

I was nineteen and lived in Sweden at the time. I worked and lived in a Waldorf School teacher seminar (I was a kitchen worker) out in the countryside, near Stockholm, and had - with a great deal of trouble and standing endlessly in line, secured myself and some friends tickets for the 'Serious Moonlight Tour' concert in Gothenburg, at the big Ullevi Stadium. We were really poor, and couldn't afford train tickets, and hitchhiked (also with a great deal of trouble) across Sweden, and made it to the concert just in time. It was such a journey (I wasn't much used to hitchhiking either), but that somehow felt appropriate, I mean: we were going to a Bowie concert! I remember how much I looked forward to it, the ticket stuck on my wall for months. Perhaps I actually still have it somewhere, I wouldn't be surprised.

The concert was a bubble of golden unreal. It was during his glamorous, blond, pastel suited, suntanned superstardom, following the irresistible 'Let's Dance' album, and wonderfully alien to my days of peeling organic potatoes and brewing herbal teas in the big school kitchen where I worked (and loved to work!). 

I just googled the set list - because that's what you can do these days - and that was almost too much for me. So never mind the set list, I'll stay with the golden bubble memory of that June evening in 1983. Because that was the only time I ever managed to catch him live, despite several opportunities.

Of course we couldn't afford a hostel or camping either - so we hitchhiked back to Stockholm again after the concert. I remember we had a single beer or two after the show, because we didn't dare to become too sleepy - and then it was back to the highway again, and the loooongest trip home after any concert, ever.

Here he is, dispensing Serious Moonlight to a delirious crowd:

Somewhere in that crowd was a girl, who was already a big fan, and had been for some years - and would remain so, through all kinds of periods in my life where I delved deep into things (as I tend to do). I had a year long period of listening almost exclusively to jazz - and several ones of listening a lot to classical music, opera. And there has been my Motown era(s). My African, Arabic and Latin American periods. But Bowie was always listened to, as well. Always.

Now I listen to all of the above. And much more to silence, which means that I choose my listening with more care, because we are only here for a brief, wonderful time.

As we were reminded today. 

My favorite albums? Space Oddity, Honky Dory, Young Americans, Heroes. 

Perhaps especially Heroes. Something about how it just captures a certain time. It's a time capsule for me, still.

The photos above are from a contact sheet of photographer Masayoshi Sukita, who took the legendary cover photo, and many, many other iconic Bowie portraits (click the link and read about their life long collaboration).