I think it is the repetition of the folding that elevates the process. Like a scale on a piano, it’s a poem you repeat with your hands instead of words in your head. My go-to folding is a jumping frog out of a cardstock rectangle. A business card will do, or anything with a good firm paper really. It’s good kid-entertainment at a restaurant. And two or more folded frogs make a race or a jumping competition.
Having a folded frog skill in your back pocket I bet will come in handy lots of times when you need to distract or entertain. That sounds like a cool fold! Thank you for reading.
I instantly wanted to fold something after reading this. I love a good crane, and have always wanted to do a crane a day and hang them from the ceiling. I was a huge writer/folder/passer of notes in high school. I even got good at throwing them across the room after the teacher separated me from my best friend. This was long before I was aware that bone folders were a thing. Using one definitely increases the folding satisfaction.
I know you found your bone folder. Maybe you found something to fold. Cranes are really special…. And delicate. I think a hanging crane display would be great. I wouldn’t have guessed you as the note passer in class. That’s a wonderful tidbit. Hope you have a good week.
You were successful! Both of our notes worked. We just didn’t want to decorate them. But it really is much easier than it seemed the night we tried it. I’m sure we were tired.
Great post! I did a few last year and gave one to my grandaughter. She slid it into her pocket and took it to school.
I laughed at how hard it was to figure out the folds and even get to back together again even if paper does have a memory . I found copy paper was the best. I used markers and water color. They are so pretty! I followed along with Karen Elaine on youtube. She is wonderful at small painted sketchbooks and things like this and has a super teaching voice. I put a note on the bottom square and also did a design on the back of that square.
I would have imagined you had made them, Gail, and I bet your granddaughter loved it! Yes, you can totally decorate the bottom — for the “decorating type,” it’s such a beautiful canvas to fill in, I think. I found the thicker paper much easier to work with, personally. The stability seemed to help with the collapsing, but I did do several on printer paper in testing. I’m more about “figuring it out,” I guess, than making it pretty. Hah! — Thanks for reading, Gail! Have a good day.
A bone folder! I love those and knew exactly what you described when using it. I've been making paper cards and paper things (birds, boxes, etc.) ever since I was 5. When I took a bookmaking class about 6 or so years ago, I was introduced to the bone folder and it's proper use and all of its strengths. Using beautiful paper with a great grain (I didn't know paper had a grain until that class, but it makes sense, as its fiber runs only one way). Pressing the bone folder onto paper and feeling that first bit of give in the paper as it does what you want it to, is so soothing. Thank you for bringing great memories back to me. I also appreciate your honest assessment of what you felt like, and didn't feel like, doing in the decorating department.
Thank you, Mary. I love your description of using the bone folder and that feeling of it giving. That’s it! You have a beautiful history with folding. I think folding is something many of us return to or drop in and out of. Folded birds…. I love seeing that in your list. Cranes, of course, but now I’ll have to do a quick search to see what other wonderful birds show up. Thanks for reading!
Oh, geez. Amy! Folding is a favorite topic of mine! Though I don't much enjoy folding my laundry (I do it anyway) and I did go through a phase where I was mad for Marie Kondo's version of folding t-shirts and underwear, I gave it up because I often lose interest in maintaining certain disciplines, I did origami for years and loved every minute of it. I do it sporadically now, but when I saw your post this morning, I giggled because I made a little note container more than a year ago that holds a picture of me as a little girl. I wish I could upload here to share. I think I can do it in notes, so I'm gonna restack. Loved this week's post. It is about the folding. An exercise in concentration, precision, and playing with color. But I enjoy the product of the folding as well!
I’m with you on the laundry — I’m much more interested in folding a scrap of paper ;) — That’s wonderful that you have a history with origami, too. As I said to Mary, above, I think it’s something many of us move in and out of to some degree. There are times, maybe, when it especially feels right. That you made a container note and put your photo it in, locket style, is awesome. Love that. Thanks for reading.
Love reading your stuff. Yes, I was part of a folding group in the early 2000's. We met once a month on a Friday night, all women, led/taught by a fabulous origami teacher. And there was a bring something chocolate requirement. So much fun. We met for about 2 or 3 years. I have some wonderful origami books. It's such a wonderful, contemplative practice. xoxo
Yes. I think you would have fit right in, remembering the cast of characters in that group. Wonderful nerd girl energy. I’ll let you know if there’s ever a reunion!
I want to make Victorian pocket notes and have them be all that I give people for Christmas this year. I probably won't be able to resist doing more, but I love them that much! The folding (I still fold many clothes in thirds because when we lived aboard our sailboat, that was the only way I could make them fit in the storage areas we had) is as compelling as the unveiling of the tiny messages. I'm glad you came back to this project, Amy. I'm glad you let it unfold in its own way.
That’s such a perfect response to this, Elizabeth ….I love this comment about holiday letters. Right, it probably wouldn’t be the only thing, but if you have people who would appreciate the wonder of such a thing, how perfect that it might be “a” thing. I love that! I hope you do it! (I know that my kids would be seriously uninterested, sadly.)
Mine would be interested and might even be persuaded to make them with me (except that I expect only one of the two to be here for the holidays). They would also be astonished were that all there was. So would I, for that matter! Friends, though -- I can see it working there for a small handful.
I really enjoyed this post, Amy. I love folding paper. I got really into origami when I was in 5th and 6th grade. I was given an origami book and some beautiful colored papers and I was immediately drawn in. The satisfaction of finally figuring out a fold that was so confusing drawn out in the instructions! And then once I knew how to do it, it was so soothing and satisfying. Another creative activity I could get lost in when I was a kid (I guess that is still my goal all these years later…to get lost in a creative activity, to disappear into my own little world.) My favorite thing to make is a gondola….I love the last step when you pull this flat shape into a three-dimensional boat. I haven’t made one in years, but it is interesting how the folding steps just come back to me…just have to get those first folds right…
I find the way steps are drawn is often hard to follow. We are lucky now to also have so many videos showing steps, right? I love your memory of the gondola. I’m going to have to look that up to see. (I think we may have talked about a paper boat before? Or else a paper hat. lol. As I read your comment, I started to think this has come up!)
A beautiful post, Amy, at literal and metaphorical levels. I”m going to try making a Victorian puzzle note.
Thank you for reading, Karen. I hope you enjoy trying your own puzzle note - whether it’s about the folding or the decorating, too!
I think it is the repetition of the folding that elevates the process. Like a scale on a piano, it’s a poem you repeat with your hands instead of words in your head. My go-to folding is a jumping frog out of a cardstock rectangle. A business card will do, or anything with a good firm paper really. It’s good kid-entertainment at a restaurant. And two or more folded frogs make a race or a jumping competition.
Having a folded frog skill in your back pocket I bet will come in handy lots of times when you need to distract or entertain. That sounds like a cool fold! Thank you for reading.
I instantly wanted to fold something after reading this. I love a good crane, and have always wanted to do a crane a day and hang them from the ceiling. I was a huge writer/folder/passer of notes in high school. I even got good at throwing them across the room after the teacher separated me from my best friend. This was long before I was aware that bone folders were a thing. Using one definitely increases the folding satisfaction.
I know you found your bone folder. Maybe you found something to fold. Cranes are really special…. And delicate. I think a hanging crane display would be great. I wouldn’t have guessed you as the note passer in class. That’s a wonderful tidbit. Hope you have a good week.
I guess I’m gonna have to try this folding puzzle again. I certainly wasn’t successful the first time. 🤪
You were successful! Both of our notes worked. We just didn’t want to decorate them. But it really is much easier than it seemed the night we tried it. I’m sure we were tired.
Great post! I did a few last year and gave one to my grandaughter. She slid it into her pocket and took it to school.
I laughed at how hard it was to figure out the folds and even get to back together again even if paper does have a memory . I found copy paper was the best. I used markers and water color. They are so pretty! I followed along with Karen Elaine on youtube. She is wonderful at small painted sketchbooks and things like this and has a super teaching voice. I put a note on the bottom square and also did a design on the back of that square.
I did read about them too. Delightful!
I would have imagined you had made them, Gail, and I bet your granddaughter loved it! Yes, you can totally decorate the bottom — for the “decorating type,” it’s such a beautiful canvas to fill in, I think. I found the thicker paper much easier to work with, personally. The stability seemed to help with the collapsing, but I did do several on printer paper in testing. I’m more about “figuring it out,” I guess, than making it pretty. Hah! — Thanks for reading, Gail! Have a good day.
Such a beautiful post and a wonderful way for me to start my Sunday afternoon creative efforts!
Thanks so much for reading, Jason! I appreciate the comment. Have a good week ahead! Make something awesome.
A bone folder! I love those and knew exactly what you described when using it. I've been making paper cards and paper things (birds, boxes, etc.) ever since I was 5. When I took a bookmaking class about 6 or so years ago, I was introduced to the bone folder and it's proper use and all of its strengths. Using beautiful paper with a great grain (I didn't know paper had a grain until that class, but it makes sense, as its fiber runs only one way). Pressing the bone folder onto paper and feeling that first bit of give in the paper as it does what you want it to, is so soothing. Thank you for bringing great memories back to me. I also appreciate your honest assessment of what you felt like, and didn't feel like, doing in the decorating department.
Thank you, Mary. I love your description of using the bone folder and that feeling of it giving. That’s it! You have a beautiful history with folding. I think folding is something many of us return to or drop in and out of. Folded birds…. I love seeing that in your list. Cranes, of course, but now I’ll have to do a quick search to see what other wonderful birds show up. Thanks for reading!
❤️🦅
Oh, geez. Amy! Folding is a favorite topic of mine! Though I don't much enjoy folding my laundry (I do it anyway) and I did go through a phase where I was mad for Marie Kondo's version of folding t-shirts and underwear, I gave it up because I often lose interest in maintaining certain disciplines, I did origami for years and loved every minute of it. I do it sporadically now, but when I saw your post this morning, I giggled because I made a little note container more than a year ago that holds a picture of me as a little girl. I wish I could upload here to share. I think I can do it in notes, so I'm gonna restack. Loved this week's post. It is about the folding. An exercise in concentration, precision, and playing with color. But I enjoy the product of the folding as well!
I’m with you on the laundry — I’m much more interested in folding a scrap of paper ;) — That’s wonderful that you have a history with origami, too. As I said to Mary, above, I think it’s something many of us move in and out of to some degree. There are times, maybe, when it especially feels right. That you made a container note and put your photo it in, locket style, is awesome. Love that. Thanks for reading.
Love reading your stuff. Yes, I was part of a folding group in the early 2000's. We met once a month on a Friday night, all women, led/taught by a fabulous origami teacher. And there was a bring something chocolate requirement. So much fun. We met for about 2 or 3 years. I have some wonderful origami books. It's such a wonderful, contemplative practice. xoxo
I’ve clearly hung out in all the wrong places. lol. That sounds like an awesome group - such fun.
Yes. I think you would have fit right in, remembering the cast of characters in that group. Wonderful nerd girl energy. I’ll let you know if there’s ever a reunion!
I want to make Victorian pocket notes and have them be all that I give people for Christmas this year. I probably won't be able to resist doing more, but I love them that much! The folding (I still fold many clothes in thirds because when we lived aboard our sailboat, that was the only way I could make them fit in the storage areas we had) is as compelling as the unveiling of the tiny messages. I'm glad you came back to this project, Amy. I'm glad you let it unfold in its own way.
That’s such a perfect response to this, Elizabeth ….I love this comment about holiday letters. Right, it probably wouldn’t be the only thing, but if you have people who would appreciate the wonder of such a thing, how perfect that it might be “a” thing. I love that! I hope you do it! (I know that my kids would be seriously uninterested, sadly.)
Mine would be interested and might even be persuaded to make them with me (except that I expect only one of the two to be here for the holidays). They would also be astonished were that all there was. So would I, for that matter! Friends, though -- I can see it working there for a small handful.
I really enjoyed this post, Amy. I love folding paper. I got really into origami when I was in 5th and 6th grade. I was given an origami book and some beautiful colored papers and I was immediately drawn in. The satisfaction of finally figuring out a fold that was so confusing drawn out in the instructions! And then once I knew how to do it, it was so soothing and satisfying. Another creative activity I could get lost in when I was a kid (I guess that is still my goal all these years later…to get lost in a creative activity, to disappear into my own little world.) My favorite thing to make is a gondola….I love the last step when you pull this flat shape into a three-dimensional boat. I haven’t made one in years, but it is interesting how the folding steps just come back to me…just have to get those first folds right…
I find the way steps are drawn is often hard to follow. We are lucky now to also have so many videos showing steps, right? I love your memory of the gondola. I’m going to have to look that up to see. (I think we may have talked about a paper boat before? Or else a paper hat. lol. As I read your comment, I started to think this has come up!)