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Origami is a great art which originated from Japan and was taught to people to save paper. It is the only paper art in which there are beautiful formations of paper made without cutting or pasting it. Origami is a great way of teaching new arts and crafts to children as well as adults who like to learn new things.

The fact that there is only folding involved in the formation of these paper crafts, there is a lot of paper wastage that is saved through it too. You can either use colored paper to make these objects or paint the plain paper objects. Another great formation which you can teach as well as learn is a paper boat. This is a very easy formation and doesn't take time to make it, and you can make many of these and float them in the water to have fun! Find some easy paper boat instructions mentioned below so have fun making it!

Origami Paper Boat Instructions

Making a paper boat is a very easy task as all you have to do is fold the colored paper in a particular pattern. You will only need a rectangular piece of origami paper or any other paper which you want to save from wastage. Paper boats are the easiest paper crafts to be made and if you are a preschool teacher or a parent, you can surely share these instructions with your kids. These exercises are fun especially for kids as they involve interaction, creativity and lots of enjoyment. You can follow the below mentioned paper boat instructions to sail it off your colorful boats and to watch them float away!

Steps to Make Paper Boat
Fold the rectangular piece of origami paper into half and then partially fold it again into another half, to make a crease in the center.
Once you can see the crease in the center of the half folded rectangular paper, fold the two upper edges towards the crease. This will form two triangles which are halfway through the rectangle.
Now, fold each of the lower edges in the upward direction to create another elongated rectangle. Then flip the formation over and repeat it for the other edge as well. If you hold this formation in your hand, it looks like a hat. You could also read about how to make paper hats.
Bring the two corners of the hat where you made the second folds and hold them towards each other. The hat will be formed into a diamond shape with the two last edges giving it a brim look. Press these two edges together and insert the loose paper edges into one another to give it a uniform look.
After you have followed these paper boat instructions of folding the two corners to make a diamond out of the hat, take the lower corner of this inverted square and fold it upwards. Flip the formation over and do the same for the other corner as well. Also read about how to make a paper boat.
Once more, press the two opposite edged of the square together, to make an inverted diamond. Hold them together in a tight manner so that, the creases are visible.
Pull out the corners of the square, one in each hand and keep pulling them to unfold the boat. Expand the hole under the boat to create a bigger surface for the boat to float on the water. Pull out each corner of the boat in a crisp manner so that all the folds are visible and made properly.
With those above mentioned paper boat instructions, you must have found how easy it is to make an origami boat. Since origami is such a great art, it should be encouraged in every preschool for the creativity of children to grow.

How to Make Paper Flowers

For various occasions, you can make paper flowers for decorations. Let that be a birthday, anniversary, or even wedding, we've got the instructions ready for you. Paper flowers craft doesn't really have that many difficult steps to follow and can be done in one seating. In the following section, you will learn how to make tissue paper flowers and cut out paper flowers.

Tissue Paper Flowers
In this section, we will be going over the steps for making tissue paper flowers. Use these flowers to decorate a party venue or even kid's bedroom.

Materials Required
A packet of tissue papers (colored)
Floral wire
Scissors

Directions

Before we learn how to make tissue paper flowers, first purchase one color of tissue papers or the assorted kind. On your workstation, keep the tissue papers in front of you. We will work with 8 sheets at a time. Depending on how many tissue paper flowers you want, you can repeat the steps over again. With the scissors, cut the 8 sheets in half so you'll be left with 16 sheets. Stack all sheets on top of one another. Now, we will begin folding the papers like an accordion. Each fold should be no bigger than ½ to 1'' in width. These folds will resemble a fan once opened. Once the folds are done, take the scissors to round off all the edges of the sheets. This will make the petals more attractive. You can also make a small cut in the middle of rounded edges to give the petals resemble Dahlias. Now take the floral wire and tie it exactly in the middle of the sheets. Open the sheets now so we get our petals. Slowly separate the layers from both sides and bring them closer to the center. Fan out the petals properly and arrange them around your home or bedroom. To make a two-toned flower, instead of the 8 sheets of the same color, use 6 sheets of one color and 2 sheets of the other color. For more paper crafts, click on the link to find more articles.

Simple Paper Flowers
When you wish to make a bouquet for a vase and need the help of paper flowers, you can make the following flowers and display them. Here are the paper flower instructions you can try at home.

Materials Required
Colorful printer paper
Floral stem wires
Scissors
Glue gun
Ruler & Pencil
Directions

Place the papers on your workstation and make 1-1/2'' wide strips. Once you cut these strips, you will cut those strips further on. For this, you need to cut one strip into four 2'' and one 4'' pieces. Take the 4'' piece and round two corners on the diagonal sides with a pencil. Cut the edges into rounds with the scissors. Do the same with the 2'' pieces as well. These pieces will look like petals. Wrap these petals around the pencil so they will be form a cone shape. Unfold and fold the other way around. Now with the glue gun, we will glue these petals to the floral stem wire. Apply glue on the bottom of the petals and one by one, stick them in the form of real petals. And that's how you can make all your paper flowers. For more paper flower patterns, click on the link to find more information.

Use these paper flowers for weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, or for decoration purposes around home. Follow the instructions mentioned in the article and see how you can quickly and inexpensively decorate anywhere. Make as many flowers as you like and do have fun!

Tissue Paper Flowers - How to Make

I know that I mentioned before that tissue paper flowers can actually replace real ones. This statement is true and false at the same time. You can definitely use these paper flowers while decorating for a birthday, wedding, and baby showers, many a times, the real deal is much better. So, when do these tissue paper flowers come in handy? When you've got to include the decorations in a specific budget, that's when you require these gorgeous, almost real paper flowers. And when you need to learn how to make tissue paper flowers, what better way than beginning from here. Take a look at making rose, sunflower, and carnation paper flowers.

Tissue Paper Flowers - Roses
To make the paper roses, you'll require - 8 red or pink tissue papers, 4 green tissue papers, 1 thick and 1 thin floral wires, green florist tape, scissors, wire cutter, and pencil.
Depending on how small or big you want the roses to be, cut the 8 red or pink tissue papers accordingly. Each paper will be considered as a petal.
Take 4 petals and cut round shapes on 3 sides (as there are 4 sides to the rectangular paper). Again, take 4 petals and cut similarly.
Stack all 8 petals together and roll them over a pencil. This will give the petals a curvy shape. Open the petals and follow this step on the other side as well.
Separate all 8 petals. Take the thick gauge wire as we will use it for the stem. Begin at the center; wrap 3 petals closely together around the wire.
Then, wrap another petal to surround those 3 petals. One by one, take the other 4 petals and make fuller looking rose.
If you want make a rose bud, then keep the petals close to one another. If you want a bigger rose, you can use more petals.
Take the thin wire and wrap it around all the petals to secure properly. Keep the rose aside for now.
We will take the 4 green tissue papers and cut them in the shape of leaves. Similar to the petals, we will wrap them around the pencil as well.
You can either wrap the leaves at the bottom of the rose or leave them opened, attached to the wire. And that's it. Those are the instructions on how to make paper flowers.
Tissue Paper Flowers - Sunflowers
To make paper sunflowers, you'll require - yellow, golden, green, and brown tissue papers, hard paper plate, hole punch, pipe cleaner stems, glue, scissors, and sunflower seeds.
Place the yellow, green, and golden tissue papers in a stack and fold them 4 times. You will have a square shape ready.
Take the scissors to cut at least 3-4 petals from them. As we fold the papers, you will end up with many petals. You can choose the shape and the size of the sunflower petals.
Make sure that the paper plate you choose is small as we will be sticking the flower on it. On the paper plate, you need to glue, from the center, the green petals (or leaves) of the sunflower.
Make a spiral design with the green leaves and cover the entire plate. Also, extend the leaves towards the side of the plate.
The gold and yellow petals will be glued in the front. So overlap them one by one, starting from the center. You can alternate both colors to make the flower look more elegant.
Now take the brown paper and cut it in half 2 times. Take the papers and wrinkle them in your hands. In your palms, form soft balls with them. It's alright if they are not even.
In the center of the flower, we will glue these 2 balls. Press it down on the plate so that the layer is even.
Leave the flower on the side to dry completely. Next, we will glue the sunflower seeds on the brown paper section. Glue as many as you want.
With the punch hole, make 2 holes in the paper plate. Leave at least 1'' space between them. Take the pipe cleaners and insert 3-4 of them inside. This will make the stem.
Twist the pipe cleaners in each holes together to make the stem. You can also make green leaves to attach on the stem.
And that's it. That's all it takes for making paper flowers.
Tissue Paper Flowers - Carnations
For our third tissue paper flowers instructions, you'll require - pink & white tissue papers, 4 paper clips, red & purple markers, floral wire, floral tape, pencil, wire cutter, a jar lid, and scissors.
Stack the 2-3 pink tissue papers together and fold them in half, 3 times. Place the jar lid on top and draw a circle with the pencil.
Cut around the edges and use both paper clips to secure. Follow the same steps for the white tissue paper as well.
Now take red marker to color the edges of the pink tissue papers and the purple marker for white.
Take the paper clips off and punch 2 holes in both tissue papers, in the center; leave at least 1 inch space.
Insert pipe cleaners in one hole and insert it again in the second hole. Crimp the pipe cleaner together.
For the petals, you need to separate each circle with one another and wrinkle it a bit. Move in upward direction, starting from the center. Use your fingers to do so.
Follow the steps on all the petals of both pink and white carnations. As you work your way down towards the petals, make bigger petals so that the carnations look fuller.
And that's how easy it is to make this carnation tissue paper craft.
These were the instructions on tissue paper flowers for kids and adults to make. As I mentioned earlier, if you use more petals, your flowers will look more fuller and bigger. Use as many different colors as you like to make these tissue paper flowers. I always believe in the more, the merrier!

Quilling art is a unique art-form which uses small rolls and delicate strips of paper to shape intricate designs. Quilling art dates back to the Renaissance period and quite possibly to the Ancient Egyptians (who used thin metals). It is said that the early quillers used a feather or quill to roll papers and that's how it gets its name. Though there is no definite evidence but it is said that quilling art must have taken shape fairly quickly after the invention of paper. Paper was a highly precious commodity in those ages, as such quilling was an important art form. It was very popular during the Victorian ages where young women were taught quilling along with sewing. Monks and nuns also decorated religious artifacts with paper quilling art. Over the decades, it has been known as paper-rolling, paper-scrolling, filigree, and paper mosaic as well. This elusive art form has remained in the shadows and not gained the popularity it rightly deserves, but it is definitely not dead.

Turning strips of paper into art by quilling can be extreme fun. Paper quilling art has an almost old-world kind of charm. It uses a simple material like paper to create complex and intriguing designs. It requires patience, adeptness and minute detailing, not to mention immense creativity. It is a timeless and inexpensive style of paper craft which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a bit of imagination, you can create innumerable designs and give your creativity wings.

Quilling Designs
Quilling designs are basically made by rolling, bending, crimping delicate papers strips to create various forms. You can begin with simple, uncomplicated designs and move on to intricate pictures. Quilling designs also tend to make unique gift ideas. There are a few basic designs used in quilling art and once you master this art, you can use your own imagination to create endless designs.

A few basic designs of quilling are:
The Tight Roll - This is simply done by tightly rolling a strip of paper. It is used as centers and can also be used to elevate other shapes.
Loose Roll - This loosely rolled strip of paper is used to create other shapes by pinching in different directions.
Diamond - The shape is acquired by pinching the loose roll on both sides.
Tear Drop - This shape is acquired by pinching the loose roll at one end.
Square - This shape can be made by pinching the diamond into a square.
Heart Shape - A heart shape is acquired from the tear drop shape. Push the round end of the tear drop inwards and pinch the paper so that it stays that way.
S-shape - Coil up the ends of the paper strip to make the S-shape.
Basic designs like a butterfly, flowers, etc., can be made with the help of these shapes. You can also make flower baskets, innovative Christmas crafts like a Christmas tree or holly leaves, birds, etc. Quilling art can make excellent handmade gift ideas. You can incorporate brass/metal embossing or paintings with the quelling designs. Using recycled material for quilling art is also an innovative idea. You can use quilling designs for making kitchen magnets, making cards for your loved ones, scrap booking and preparing decorative arts and crafts items, picture framing, and whatever you can think of. The sky is the limit!

Quilling Tools
Quilling art doesn't need a lot in terms of tools. You can make do with simple instruments around the house itself. Some of the quilling tools are as follows:
The Quilling Needle - This is an essential tool used in the art of paper quilling. It is used to roll the thin strips of paper. To make the work easier, you can moisten the end of the paper and then start rolling it. If the quilling needle is not available, you can try rolling the paper with the help of a toothpick, hat pin, etc.
Quilling Paper Strips - The most common width of paper used for the art of paper quilling is 1/8 inch or 3 mm. Paper quilling strips that are generally available in the market range from 2 mm to 10 mm. You can make the strips yourself from colorful paper with the help of a paper trimmer. But it is important to remember that the strips should be cut accurately. You can also make use of the paper shredder. There are many beautiful types of quilling paper available in the market. You can buy gold/silver/bronze edged quilling paper, as these make gorgeous quilling designs for occasions like Christmas or weddings. Pearlized paper also gives a stunning effect. Quilling paper that fades to a lighter shade or to white in the middle or at both ends can also be used.
Glue for Quilling - The best adhesive is transparent glue, as in case there is excess glue it will not be seen prominently. You can also have a fine tip applicator. A cocktail stick will also work fine, which you can dip in the glue and use.
Quilling Boards - A quilling board is an extremely useful tool to have in quilling art. It is usually made of firm foam. It has a template with holes of various sizes, which is attached to the foam. These templates help the coils to open to the right size when they are left in the holes.
Quilling Fringer - When paper is put through the quilling fringer it comes out unevenly cut, ready to roll and be used in quilling art. Sharp scissors can also be used to cut the quilling paper, but the fringer is a quicker option. Such paper looks very attractive while making fringed flowers.
Onion Holder - This kitchen aid can be used to cut the quilling paper. It is used to get a unique effect on the paper. This is done by wrapping the paper around selected teeth of the onion holder.
Other items that you can keep ready to hand are scissors, ruler, bulldog clip, crimping machine, tweezers, etc. With the help of these tools, basic knowledge of quilling art, and loads of creativity, you are all set to explore this unique and timeless art form. You can include basic quilling in your kids craft ideas as well and see them enjoy this art form.

So, go right ahead and give your creative instinct a new direction with the quilling art form,

We used to make pinwheel with different paper sheets, and stick the paper to a wooden stick using a thumbtack pin. We used to make pinwheel toys in summer vacation, and waited for the wind to blow so that the pinwheel would start spinning. However, if there used to be no wind, then just out of sheer boredom, we used to go running around the whole place so that the opposite and fast motion will make the pinwheel move. It was a lot of fun, and a good way to pass the time during long summer vacations. If you want to know how to make a simple pinwheel for kids, then follow these instructions.

How to Make a Pinwheel

The stuff that you will need for making a simple pinwheel are:
A square sheet of paper
Scissors
Marker
Thumbtack
Ruler
A wooden stick (pencil will do)
Glue
Step #1: To start making a simple pinwheel origami toy, hold the square sheet of paper, and from its center to the four corners draw lines. This means you will have to use marker and ruler along the two diagonals of the square paper sheet.

Step #2: Now cut the along the four lines till halfway using scissors. Now, hold the sheet of paper in front of you with the base straight line parallel to the edge of the table.

Step #3: Take the left edge of the first triangle cut out and place it in the center of the paper, and tilt the paper in an anti-clockwise direction, again making the next straight part of paper parallel to the table. Then again place the left edge of the triangle cut out on center, overlapping on the first cutout edge.

Step #4: This way place the ends of the other four triangular cut outs on the center too. Make sure you get this easy paper folding part right; it is quite simple, just work in anti-clockwise direction.

Step #5: Now, place a thumbtack pin in the center of the paper, to hold the pinwheel pattern together. Then hammer the thumbtack and pinwheel paper to the top edge of a wooden stick or a strong straw, place the pinwheel in a windy place and enjoy the show!

Pinwheel Patterns & Ideas

Above were the pinwheel directions to make a simple kids craft pinwheel. Here, are some ideas to make different pinwheel paper crafts.
Just like you made a simple pinwheel using one sheet of paper, you can also stack a longer sheet of pinwheel over a medium sheet of pinwheel, and a smaller sheet of pinwheel and then stick the thumbtack. This way you will have three different fans stacked on top of each other. You can color the three papers, with three different colors to make these pinwheel patterns look even more beautiful.
You can also make circles starting from the center, till circles ending till the edge of the paper. These concentric circles, when used to make a pinwheel pattern, will give a hypnotizing effect.
While making the above pinwheel pattern, you can divide the square sheet of paper into four parts and start coloring pages with different color, and then stick them using a thumbtack to create a 4 colored winged pinwheel.
You can also experiment with other ideas of pinwheel patterns, by trying out different patterns of paper, different material of paper, more beautiful pins, or using colorful plastic rods, etc.
This was all about the pinwheel things to make with paper. So, follow the above how to make a pinwheel instructions, but make sure that children are assisted by adults while cutting the paper and while hammering the pins into the rod.

Origami is a popular Japanese art of paper folding, known for its elegant and amazing paper molds. The term origami has been originated from the two Japanese words 'Ori' and 'Kami', meaning folding and paper, respectively. It is one of the most popular arts and crafts activity enjoyed by people of all age groups, especially kids. Being inquisitive and quick learners, making beautiful origami flower folding and other paper models can help kids explore their hidden artistic talents and focus on something which is productive and useful such as dexterous fingers, logical and disciplined mind. Swan, crane, box, dragon, etc. the list of origami paper molds can go on and on. But here in this article we learn how to make different paper folding flowers, so keep reading...

The only thing that is required to create origami models is paper, and especially when you are making paper crafts flowers, the type of paper should be given much attention. Nowadays variety of papers with different colors, sizes, patterns and textures are available in the market. If you are an amateur or novice artist, try using thin crisp papers as they allow bending and unfolding in a smooth way and give a fine finish. So without delaying, let us try to learn making some of the common origami flowers, including rose, tulip, lily, etc. More on paper crafts.

Paper Folding Flowers

Making Paper Rose
If you want to make a red rose, use three pieces of red colored square paper of varying sizes.
The second paper should be 3/4 the length of the first one and the third paper should be 3/4 the length of the second.
For leaves, pick a green paper of same size as the largest red paper.
Each of the red paper pieces will be folded in the same way, so start by folding the right corner of the base to the center-line and then unfold.
Fold the edge onto the just formed crease mark and then fold that corner again.
Repeat the previous step on the left corner, as well as on the two corners on the back of the piece.
Fold the right edge to the left and repeat the step on the back side as well.
Carefully open up the piece with your fingers, take the other two paper pieces and repeat the entire procedure.
Now take the green paper and make an origami lily (procedure is explained below).
Nest the rose petal formed inside each other and place the lily at the bottom, forming the mini leaves or the calyx of the rose.
If required, you can use a few spots of glue to hold the parts together and finally your origami rose is ready.
Making Paper Tulip
Fold one edge of the paper back and crease the other side of the paper with your fingers to form a square shape; strongly press the edge of the paper.
Slowly and carefully pull the two opposite diagonals from the center-line and you will get a small square shaped structure.
Press the opposite sides again to form an arrow, pointing towards the open side of the paper. Repeat the step on the both the sides.
Stretch the paper on one side, up and then back, and fold the open end of the paper to create a diamond shape.
Repeat the step on to the both sides of the paper and make a turn of 180 degrees around.
Fold the edges of the bottom to both the sides of the paper and with the help of a pen, move the petals down to give a natural look to the tulip.
Making Paper Lily
Take a square piece of paper, fold it in to half and again fold the half folded paper in to half. Crease the paper well and then unfold it.
Turn the colored side paper down and fold it diagonally in both directions; crease the paper well and unfold it again.
Now hold the paper from the middle crease line and take both the center points toward the bottom center line.
Flatten the paper and you will be having a triangular piece of paper, known as water-bomb base.
Fold and then unfold the top triangle of the water-bomb base in to the center, and then open and flatten the triangle, using the crease line.
Repeat the above step on all four sides of the flaps of waterbomb base and you will end up having a diamond shaped paper.
Fold the entire diamond in half and then unfold. Following the creases made in the above two steps, raise the bottom pint of the paper on the uppermost layer, hence taking it to the top as well as bringing in both sides of the paper.
Now repeat the above two steps on the remaining four sides and fold all the triangles down on all four sides.
Turn the entire structure upside down, in such a way that the open part is now at the top.
Now fold the outer flaps of all four sides toward the center and flatten them.
Finally, you will be able to see the flower petals, which you can fold down using a pen to give it a natural look.

These were some simple paper folding flower instructions that are easy to understand and follow. I hope, these step by step guidelines will help you learn how to make origami flowers, effortlessly and in less time, as all you need is to follow the aforementioned steps carefully. So, what are you waiting for? Collect a few colorful papers and start making these beautiful and elegant origami flowers folding to gift someone or to just decorate your room. Have Fun!