Cat Head

This model is another two part one like the elephant. It was six steps for the head and took about seven minutes. I had trouble with the proportions at first. I added eyes and a mouth which I think make the piece.

Peacock

This model was rather simple with only seven steps and about five minutes. I like how the choice of paper looks like feathers. The tail is a bit big though.

Pelican

Today's model is a pelican. It was similar to the chinese duck the first week. A few folds reversed and they are interchangeable. It took nearly ten minutes annd was eight folds. I like this one more than the duck. It is maybe my third favorite piece.

Inside Outside Reverse Fold

This was just a simple model to show how to do a reverse inside fold and a reverse outside fold. Both folds have three steps. This one should have been earlier in the calendar since a number of pieces have used these two folds already ie: chinese duck

Paper Cup

This model was quick, easy, and functional. It was five steps and maybe three minutes. It even holds water! I like it!

Mushroom

This was an interesting model. The trunk gave me a bit of trouble until I figured it out. It was six steps and about seven minutes. A fun shape

Mouse

This model is supposed to be a mouse. It is pretty weak. It was ten steps and only about seven minutes. The trickiest part was the ears. I don't really like this one.

Magazine Box

This model is made from regular 8.5x11 inch paper. It was seven steps and took about five minutes. I used plain paper; i think it would look better with colored paper like from a magazine. It could be a useful little box.

Dollar Peace Dove

This was the model with the most steps at thirteen and it took fifteen minutes to make. The first of the money origami. The paper money was nicer to fold than regular origami paper. The key, I learned, is to start with a crisp new bill. I enjoyed making this piece.

Kite base

Base for kite. Three steps and two minutes. Kinda boring

Fish base

Five steps a couple minutes. Boring by itself but a steping stone to something else.

Elephant

This is the second half of the elephant from the previous day's elephant head. This piece was four steps and only a minute or two. The head then fits on the top to complete the elephant. The model was made over two days using two pieces of origami paper. I think it looks pretty good. The panda is still my favorite; this one is my second fave.

Elephant Head

Today was the first part of a two part elephant model. The head was made today with the body to follow tomorrow. It was eight steps and about seven minutes. I added some eyes to make it more life-like.

Cat Boat

The cat boat is a sailboat with the main mast near the front of the boat. Interesting that out of nine models three have been boats so far. This one was six steps and about five minutes. Regular origami paper would have made it look better. The previous days instructions on the sail are a little distracting.

Boomerang Airplane

This model of an airplane was quick and fun to make. It was seven steps and maybe took three minutes.
You hold it just behind the nose to throw it, and it comes right back. Great for use in a small space like an office cube.

Horse

Today's model is a horse. It was ten steps (the most so far) and about seven minutes. It is a pretty simple piece. I think the paper works well too. It would be better if it had legs or ears, but that would make it much more difficult.

Week One Models

These are all the models created this past week. The Saturday/Sunday page included some history about the earliest known origami books instead of a model. It mentioned that some of them even included cutting techniques. Some 'Pureland' followers think there should only be folding. Maybe I will have to be more open minded about what techniques can/should be used with origami.

Panda

This piece was the most difficult so far. It took over ten minutes. I had to start over because the first time I got the second fold out of proportion. It had eight steps. I added the eyes to finish it off. I think the black paper worked well for this piece.

Twin Sailboats

This piece was another that required scissors. They were only used to cut the standard paper in half to make two triangles. You could easily fold the paper in half to make on sailboat per sheet instead of two. The aesthetic isn't as good as it could be due to the previous days instructions on the back. These two took about seven minutes to make with most of my time on trying to get a straight cut. It was five steps per boat.

Gnashers

This piece was the first in the calendar so far that didn't use origami paper. It was made with regular 8.5x11 inch paper. It was also the first that required the use of scissors. To me, using scissors in origami is cheating. This piece was pretty simple and easy. It was nine steps and took about five minutes. I drew eyes on the paper to make it more life-like. It is a fun piece, and it moves.

Chinese Duck

The piece today was the hardest so far. It took me almost ten minute and only had six steps. I felt like the last two steps could have been expanded. They were forming the head and tail with valley and mountain folds (folding away and towards). It wasn't very intuitive. I am liking how the paper for each day fits the piece. The paper for the duck looks like feathers.

Billfold

January 3rd is a billfold or wallet. It folds in the middle and has two pockets to store items. This piece had six steps and took about five minutes. I had to work the paper slightly after finishing to get the pockets open. It is about 2-3 inches long and about an inch tall. The rowboat was more fun.

Rowboat

The rowboat is the first piece created for the year. It was pretty easy. It took about five minutes and had eight steps.