day 41 - openness

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." 

- Leonard Cohen

Openness isn't the absence of boundaries; it's the presence of room to breathe. 

This structure literally holds its shape by leaving space. 

Folded by my origami teacher more than 25 years ago, this woven cube is still letting light in - on the benefits of cultural exchange, learning through experience, the joy of folding, and expanding attitudes and possibilities.

Today I'm practicing openness by remembering that a strong form can still be open.

day 30 - amends

Amends begin with acknowledging harm.

They are accomplished when we repair with dignity.

This emerald green heart reminds me that amends are, first and foremost, emotional and relational. They are about reestablishing trust and care. 

The pretty gold details echo the Japanese art of Kintsugi which honors what was broken by making the repair visible and meaningful. 

It says, we can't go back to how things were. 

We can go forward mended, changed, and more intentional. 

Today I'm practicing amends by asking, where can I make amends in my life in a way that adds care, not just covers cracks? 

What would that look like?

Heart Pendant - Fumiaki Shingu

day 24 - harmony

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." 

- Mahatma Gandhi

Harmony happens here, in the way pattern, patience, and purpose meet.

Inhale. Exhale. Chrysanthemums slowly open, cranes glide across the sky, colors and folds settle into peaceful alignment. 

Each reminds me: balance is not aspirational - it is beneath my feet, in my hands, in tiny micro-calibrations, in the rhythm of now.

Today, I am practicing harmony through my breath—letting attention, intention, and action move together, as one living flow.

day 17 - integrity

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."  

- Charlotte Bronte

Integrity asks for alignment between what I intend and what I actually do. 

On paper, each fold shows immediately whether I was paying attention or not. 

Today I'm practicing integrity by matching my care to my intention.

Bird card by Jeremy Shafer

day 10 - faith

"Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark." 

- Rabindranath Tagore

For me, faith isn't blind certainty. It's moving forward with trust - rooted in experience, yet without guarantees. 

Today I'm practicing faith by trusting the process of folding a new origami model by an artist whose designs I've succeeded with before. Each crease, each careful fold, reminds me that even when the outcome is uncertain, the act of showing up matters.

Origami Crane by origamiba-ba on YouTube

day 4 - caring

"It is the time you have wasted on your rose that makes your rose so important." 

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

Caring shows up in how I handle things, not only how I feel about them. This crisp origami paper from Japan holds and shows every crease I make, carefully or carelessly. 

Today I'm practicing caring by cherishing and being gentle with what's in my hands.

Rose and Double Leaf by Nanahoshi

day 2 - smiling

"Peace begins with a smile." 

- Mother Teresa

Smiling is easy to dismiss as superficial, but today I'm paying attention to how profound it really is. When my face softens, something deeper seems to soften too. 

This little vignette reminds me that small shifts can change both the expression and the impression, and they can be contagious. 

Today I'm seeing what happens when I let that softness show more freely.

Black Cat Silhouette by hiroko_daichan origami on YouTube

a soft vanitas

This pin is inspired by the Vanitas tradition: still life paintings featuring wilting flowers, fruit with bruises, flies feasting, snuffed candles, skulls and other symbols of impermanence - a reminder that nothing lasts forever.

The term comes from the Bible and emphasises that the pursuit of worldly possessions is futile compared the goal of heavenly salvation. It encourages the audience to reflect and repent.

I hope this fly pin makes a softer statement - Less warning, more witness. 

As origami ages, creases soften and colors fade. 

I could seal my works with some kind of resin or shellac but I don't - not to neglect preservation, but as a practice of appreciation and attention. 

In my mind, sealing paper feels false. I would rather let it age with me. I know what will remain is not the object, but a memory and the invitation to fold again. 

It's like affirming: 

• I won't poison myself and the planet to preserve beauty
• I won't harden something meant to stay pliable
• I won't pretend permanence is the goal

Unlike an oil painting, this pin doesn't aspire to a museum. It aspires to be brought to life on a jacket or a bag, touched by sunlight and hands and one day, become compost, fertile material for growth.

It is an art, this presence and release. As you can see from the irony of my archived photos and words, it's one I'm still practicing.

library session, origami folding resources and references

This post accompanies a live origami "Paper to Pin" folding session offered at the Strathcona County Library.

During the session, folds are taught live and by demonstration. It is an analogue, embodied, traditional knowledge experience supported by the web, not replaced by it.

The links below are provided as optional references for participants who would like to revisit the forms later.

They point to external resources with diagrams or guides that are free to view and good for beginners.

Patterns explored today:

* Simple Origami Cup at Origami Club

* Heart Pendant at Origami Club

* Tanzaku (traditional, unpublished)

* Mini Zine at Migra Whistle

Note: 

*Many variations of these origami models exist; these links are offered as starting points rather than definitive instructions. 

* You are welcome to bookmark or explore these pages on your own time if you want to practice a fold again or make more origami models at home.

Origami Pattern References

This link leads to diagrams and folding guides for simple paper forms like hearts, cups, and more:

Origami Club — Diagram Library 

Origami Club is an index of a large collection of origami diagrams, folding animations and videos that you can explore by category and by western and Japanese seasonal holidays (animals, objects, basic shapes, Valentine's Day, Star Festival etc. ).

Zine Folding Instructions

Migra Whistle

Fold a single sheet of paper into an 8-page mini-zine using this beginner friendly guide.

This page includes downloadable zine folding diagrams and printable files that show how to fold and assemble simple zines. 

The downloadable files on this site include a Zine Folding: How To document you can use as a reference for folding a mini zine from a single sheet of paper.

no-face, spirited away

Do you have a favorite Studio Ghibli movie?  

I have several, and Spirited Away is definitely in my top 5. 

This No Face model was really fun to fold.  

I don't usually like having to draw on a face because I always "ruin it" but this one was actually really easy.

And turning it into a pin was a no brainer. This guy deserves to be seen!

it's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day

I hope your day is going well and the sun is brightening your mood. 

I folded this sunny origami pin back in the fall when the weather was still warm and the flowers were nodding sleepily in the fields.

The softly cloudy hexagon background is folded from a quarter sheet of copy paper. The rest is made with origami paper. 

The sunflower is designed by Makoto Yamaguchi. If you would like to try folding it, here's a helpful video from Origami Maniacs on YouTube.

The double leaf is a clever design from Japanese artist Nanahoshi. I absolutely love her wreaths and floral swags. Check them out!

trending 2026: analogue bags

2026 is the year to embrace anologue. 

Let's wean ourselves off of our phones by loading up baskets and bags to reach for between tasks. 

Stash craft supplies, notebooks, puzzles and pens to support your well-being and reduce screen time. 

I know what's in my bag - a good book, a healthy snack, a commonplace book and origami paper! 

What's in yours?

made for giving

 

dinner in?

you make me smile!

 

little things

 

Sometimes when the big things in life don’t seem to be coming together it helps to feel like the little things fit.

These modular boxes were folded by me with origami paper from Oomomo. 

The box and lid are designed by Tomoko Fuse.

#initforallthelove, enemies

 

Day 11/14, Corner Hugger Heart Bookmark (Origami Club)

Oh... where do I even begin?

This excerpt from “Soul Friends” by Stephen Cope says it better than I ever could. Please excuse me, I’m going back to practicing.

There is no greater misfortune than feeling 

“I have an enemy”

For when “I” and “enemy” exist together

there is no room left for my treasure 

Thus, when two opponents meet

The one without an enemy will surely triumph

- Lao-Tzu

#initforallthelove, animals

 

Day 7 of 14) Lion Face (designed by Kamikey Origami)

This post is dedicated to my beloved animal friends, past, present and future.

You tame me, test me, teach me, and tell me you love me just as I am. How can I thank you enough?

To the creatures who share my yard and my earth home, totem teachers and magical messengers, I love sharing this world with you!

Special shout out to the little lion who currently has me wrapped around his paw, Mr. Ricky Baker.

#initforallthelove, lovers

 Day 4 of 14) Masu Box (traditional) and Origami letters (Origami Club)

Today I offer ardent, amorous love and hot-blooded appreciation to my lovers, crushes and flames, past, present and future.

Romance and intimacy are such a gold mine for deep connections, awakenings and alchemical collaborations that I can’t imagine my life without them.

I am smitten with you, thank you for sharing that sense of aliveness and pleasure with me.  

#initforallthelove, friends

Day 2 of 14: Origami Lilies (traditional)

In the Victorian language of flowers, yellow lilies represent thankfulness, joy and friendship, and orange lilies represent energy and confidence.

I offer this Valentine’s bouquet to all of my friends, past, present and future.  

I love and cherish each and every one of you and thank you for all the ways you bring beauty, joy and positive energy into my life.  

You offer such warm encouragement, sparkling inspiration and sense of belonging!  With you I feel attuned and affirmed, seen and heard.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!