Origami, the art of paper folding, has always fascinated me. In grade school I learned how to make a paper cup by folding a piece of paper following directions shown above. I was pleased with this accomplishment and actually found it useful to be able to produce a paper cup when I needed one.
Our book store sells packs of origami paper, every color and pattern you can imagine, and I was intrigued to try my hand at it again as an adult. My granddaughter wanted to join me, so we bought a book of “simple” Origami animals. We quickly learned that the Japanese definition of simple and our definition were vastly different. Although each of us could make a paper cup, that was the best either of us could clearly execute. She even had the good idea to watch kids do origami on You Tube. That only made us feel less dexterous than we already did. We abandoned our elaborate project of making a full menagerie of paper animals. We admitted defeat.
Every now and then when we are together at the book store I look longingly at the seductive stacks of origami paper. Maybe we should try again? Absolutely not she replies. One afternoon failing to fold was enough.
Saved By Words 
Of all the things I have tried in my life, folding paper never featured.
And it certainly won’t now. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wise man.
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I can make two kinds of paper aeroplanes (which probably don’t count) and water bombs (which do). Water bombs are hollow spheres (roughly) which you can fill with water to throw at people. Bet your granddaughter would like that!
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Wow. Do you have the directions anywhere?
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See: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=make+a+paper+water+bomb&view=detail&mid=63C2A83D6C4DDA26B4BB63C2A83D6C4DDA26B4BB&FORM=VIRE
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Wow. Thanks. Just in time for the 4th of July.
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I shall add to my list of things never to attempt
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That would be a fun post: things never to attempt.
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We used to do paper folding when we were in grade school. All I remember until now is making a paper kite, making a paper ball and yes, a cup too.
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A paper ball sounds very impressive.
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Never did any origami nor had the desire to do so. But I do remember that paper fortune telling gadget we made as kids. Remember this? https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Paper-Fortune-Teller-2/
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I do remember that. It seemed to be focused on boy friends as I recall.
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For a time I ran an origami club at school (whilst I was teaching). I do love the principles of the art but I have never been an expert; I was just one small step ahead of the kids. We usually succeeded – often it was a collaborative effort. As a club it proved to have more benefits than the paper creation itself.
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Wow! I am completely impressed.
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I learned “cootie catchers” and the cube shape you could blow up. That was as far as I got with paper folding. What creative use have you found for the origami paper? Scrapbooking, maybe?
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I was remembering cootie catchers after I wrote this post. I could make those too.
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At least you and your granddaughter tried origami together, and that’s more than I can say for myself – since maybe grade school! Do you think you might try it again?
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I just got directions from another reader on making water bombs, so we just might. Hey–glad to see you.
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(I’m waving to you)!
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Hi back.
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Love this! I run a blog dedicated to trying out all kinds of new hobbies and documenting the process. My most recent post is about my attempt at Origami! Check it out!!
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