Origami creations - Tessellation 101

I have seen a lot of beautiful origami tessellation works and just couldn't resist to seriously learn more.  

From my research, the best place to start is from the book of Eric Gjerde (referred to as a great primer on the principles of the most gorgeously abstract discipline in origami-tesselation).  I went about to reserve it at the HK Library and was lucky enough to get it.  

A very interesting and challenging book and allows one to progress slowly from easy projects to the more difficult ones.  A word of caution though, you must be very patient and have a tenacious attitude to complete the projects.  It is not surprising for one to experience discouraging moments but I assure that all your efforts will be well worth it!

Here is the first part of the tessellations works that I have done.

These are all my first folds using copy paper only.  The latest project I was doing was on negative stars and I unfortunately tore the paper from creasing.   I will get me a bigger and good quality paper next time to complete my negative stars.

Hope you've enjoyed my work and have a great christmas week!

- 0 -

Christmas is the time for Love and Great sights - Hong Kong 2013 (香港)

Christmas is a big celebration in Hong Kong and you will surely be spoiled and surprised by the many activities and extravagant decorations around town.

Around my area in Causeway bay, I was delighted to see a huge christmas tree in the shape of a fashion designers' dummy.  

Hysan Place, Causeway Bay by Onstage

A closer look at  how the tree is dressed ... 

O La La

Also, I was able to see a really REAL ballgown.

Unquestionably beautiful BALL gown

And, not to be bettered, a lovely flowery party dress.

Looks and smells good too!

I was also fortunate enough to have a visitor from the US and had to picked them up at the Check Lap Kok Airport.  There I saw the Bling Christmas tree.

Swarovski Christmas Bling Tree

There is so much to see and I took a lot of photo memoirs which I decided to make a short video instead.  Here it is:

Hope you enjoyed it.  Happy Holidays!

- 0 -

Origami Creations /Designs - Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus (聖誕老人) Tutorial

In a rush to make it before the Christmas Eve week, I finally completed my video tutorial for my Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus.  (Well, it's just Santa really except for the pink paper ... just didn't want Santa to be lonesome.  I was even planning to make green elves but fortunately was able to get a hold of myself).  The model is made from one sheet of square paper.

Here are the lovely couple (hope you can see the special effects on the photos as I do):

On a starry Christmas Day

On a snowy Christmas Morning

Video tutorial can be found here:

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!!

- 0 -

Origami Creations / Designs - Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus (聖誕老人)

Thought of a fun and challenging opportunity for me to test my creativity ... 

It is to make an origami christmas santa as seen in one of the FB groups which I have participated in.  I was really so surprised with the many wonderful creations so I thought I should give it a try.

Now ... I need to look for a "red and white" colored paper.  Just realized that I have used up all of those colors for kawasaki roses, so I ended up recycling one of my kusudama/modulars.

This is whats left of my Icosahedron ball.

Days and weeks passed and I am unable to fold anything except for Santa's face and could not complete the model.  Finally, I was able to come up with not only one but two ...

 

Yes, a Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.  It's sort of a stick figure and luckily pass the "cuteness test" by my tough model inspectors - my daughters.  It does remind me of the models made by another talented origamist - Riki Saito.

Hope you'll like this creation and will try to make the diagrams and tutorials very soon for all to enjoy.

Happy Holidays!!!

Origami Creations / Design - Panda Bears (熊貓)

When in Ocean Park - Hongkong, I can never miss to visit the Giant Panda habitat.  As always, they are in their usual selves - munching, lounging and enjoying "La Dolce Vita".  

See for yourself here:

Ying-ying dreaming the Sweet Life :o).

A very famous icon here in China/Hong Kong and much loved and adored by the citizenry.  This animal is uber cute with its round body and distinctive black spots - eyes, ears, arms and legs.  Even more famous globally when the Kung Fu Panda animated movie was made.  

In origami, it is a great challenge to make one because of the color change challenge.  I have tried it myself but I can only make one - a panda book mark which is using a Jo Nakashima base fold.

Here are my panda bookmarks.  

Front, Back, Solo and Bookmark views

True to its distinctive features, the eyes, ears, arms and legs are black ... and I added the bushy tail too!

When I have the chance, I will make a tutorial to share this lovely model too!

Have a great day!

- 0 -

More Info:

Panda in Ocean Park

Giant Panda Wikipedia

Dragon (龍) duel - Symbio at HK's Ocean Park (海洋公園)

Family is back in Hong Kong for the Christmas holidays and had the opportunity to show them around Ocean Park.  The last time I was there was like a decade ago and so much changes has happened.  Both my daughters were practically raised in Ocean Park as we had a family annual membership.  Aside from living closed to the park, it has a children's play area were my wife and I can sit back and relax as the kids enjoy the facility.

 The evening show, Symbio, was a major highlight.  It is the world's first 360 degrees water screen show in which two 9 meter tall dragons duel.  Fire and Water dragons fight (balls of fire and water are hurled in the lagoon) amidst astounding lighting and sound effects.

I took a brief video here for your viewing pleasure:

When in Hong Kong, make sure to drop by and not miss this show.

Have a nice day!

- 0 -

More info:

Ocean Park Attraction - Symbio

Origami Creations - A rose (薔薇花) by any other name

As what we've heard and read a lot, it says that "a rose by any other name, is still a rose".  But it is said, that the correct and actual quote is "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" and taken from the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

In origami, there is a famous Rose model by the name of Kawasaki and a lot of the rest of the models practically follows its folding base.  Named after its creator Toshikazu Kawasaki, he was the first to develop the technique of "iso-area folding" i.e. symmetrical folding on all 4 sides to make your origami model piece.

Below is a photo to show the folding symmetry.

A sequence of prelim folds to make the Rose

Noticed that all four sides are folded the same way (a mirror image of each other).

And, below is the final model with some curling to try and imitate the beauty of the Rose.

A full blown Kawasaki Rose

A full and midway Rose bloom

Isn't it a beauty?  

Therefore, in origami, a Rose by any other name is still a Kawasaki Rose.

Have a great day!

- 0 -

More info:

Toshikazu Kawasaki Wiki

Origami Design - Baby Wolly Mammoth Elephant (長毛象寶寶)

I have written about elephants being commonly used as an origami model due to their distinctive looks - trunks, flappy ears and their big size.  Out of the blue, I have decided to make one for myself.

Here is what I have made:

I call this the Baby Wolly Mammoth (elephant).  I made it stand on its front legs to add a bit of movement.  This animal can be seen in the famous animation movie "Ice Age" and her character name is Peaches.  Below is the image of Peaches with friends.

Do  you see any resemblance?  Hope so ...

Once I get to have the time, I'll prepare origami diagrams and video tutorials to share it with the world!

Have a great weekend!

- 0 -

More info:

Ice Age Movie Link

Origami Creations - Spiral Stars for Christmas

Among the first modular origami that I have made and enjoyed a lot was the Spiral Stars by Grzegorz Bubniak.  I was immediately attracted by its colors, spiky atypical shape and the rose-like core. Even better it required only 6 (six) units to make.

Here are the photos of what I have made:

 

Assembling is a little bit tough but the overall beauty and everlasting joy it brings my family and friends (whom I have gifted it to) is overwhelming.

You may find the diagrams for this model here.  I am also enclosing the video tutorial below:

Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

- 0 -

More info:

Check out Grzegorz Bubniak website for more goodies

World's Best and Easy Apple Scones

One of the most in-demand food that I regularly bake for the family is my simple and delectable Apple Scones.  The reason is because it is my wife's favorite "goto" snack and she needs the sustenance and energy for teaching the young leaders of Hong Kong.

See for yourself if you are not attracted to this:

Click for a Mouth-watering view

 

It's simple and healthy cooking all the way and good for the holidays!

Below is a simple "how-to" video tutorial for your enjoyment.

Enjoy your food and have a great day!

- 0 -

More info:

Recipe:

Apples - 2 or more

Wheat Flour - 2 cups

Baking Powder - 3 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Unsalted butter - 2/3 cup

Sugar - 3/4 cup

Non-Fat Milk - 150 ml

Egg - 1

Steps:

1.  Peel and cut/dice your apples.

2.  Place flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.

3.  Mashed in the butter (sliced the butter and used a softened one for easy mixing)

4.  Add the sugar, milk and the sliced apples.  Mix everything properly.

5.  Place the mixture to your baking tray lined with aluminum foil or baking paper.

6.  Brush with a beaten egg (to create the lovely shimmer on top). 

7.  Preheat the oven to 200c.  Once ready, cook for 18 minutes.

Origami Creations - Origami and Tess Combo: Tessellated Owl

I have wrote about my Hydrangea tessellation work and have decided to do other models to learn more  about this technique/skill.  Browsing through the web, I found an origamist who makes models using both origami and tessellation.  Her name is Ms. Beth Johnson.  A very talented and generous person as she freely shares her work and diagrams for others to enjoy.

Looking through her designs, I was attracted to her Hex Owl model and have decided to challenge myself to make one.  This is my finished piece:

Owl looking good perched on our Christmas wreath

As my tessellation experience is minimal, I honestly struggled to fold this model.  Nevertheless, completing it brings me and my family boundless joy and enthusiasm to do more.

It was a wonderful and productive weekend for me and I hope it will be for all of you too.

- 0 -

Crispy Eggplant Delight - Healthy Snack Food for the family

I have been writing about my cooking and baking experience for a month now.  Next in line, is my favorite vegetable - the eggplant.  And, I call this simply "Crispy Eggplant Delight" as it makes my youngest daughter very happy with unlimited request to make more (cooked this at least three times or more in a week).  She actually likened this snack dish to chips but much healthier version.

Here is the finish product.

It's a very simple fried dish but packs a lot of goodness because of my secret weapon - Mc Cormick Season's Fry Coating Mix.  Takes me less than 10 minutes to prepare and cook the dish.

Below is a short video tutorial for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy and have a great day!

- 0 -

More Info:

Recipe:

Eggplant - 1 pc
Egg - 1 pc
Mc Cormick Season's Fry Coating Mix - 1/2 pack
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for frying)

1.  Slice the eggplant into round chips.
2.  Beat the eggs and place on a flat plate.
3.  Place the Mc Cormick coating mix powder in another plate.

Now, let's do an assembly line - pick, dip, coat and fry:.

4.  Dip the sliced eggplant and bathe it in the egg mixture.  Make sure to let the egg stick to both sides.
5.  Next, dip the eggplant to the coating mixture.  Shake a bit of the excess powder.
6.  Fry the eggplant in low heat.
7.  Serve and Enjoy.

Origami Creations - Majestic Elephants

Among the wild forest animals, the elephants is the most beloved by many.  I believe it was brought about by the famous Walt Disney animated flying elephant named Dumbo.  An animal who was cruelly named (dumb-o) and ridiculed for his big ears.  In spite of this, he actually has a special flying power and a mouse for a true friend called Timothy.  Hmmm... it was a great feel good movie.

In origami, the elephant is also a very common model because of its distinctive features - bulky, long trunk and big flappy ears.  And of all the models that I have encountered, my most favorite is this simple one designed by Mr. Kunihiko Kasahara.

A pack of dancing elephants

For a closer look...

These are the babies of the bunch

Below is a video tutorial for you try.  You've noticed I made one too many because it is really a joy to fold.

Happy Thanksgiving and have a great holiday!

Volunteer at the SPCA - Love and Care for Animals

Just completed my volunteer orientation workshop at our local SPCA, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (香港愛護動物協會), center here in HK.  I was actually signed up by my daughter as she promised me that it is a "cool" group to join in.  Hmmm ... being "cool" is just too hard to resist!

SPCA HK was actually the first charity group formed in Hongkong.  It started in the year 1903 but formally became an active group by the year 1921.  I was very impressed with the extensive care and attention that they provide for the welfare of all animals (except for horses as they are managed by another organization).

Here is the Hong Kong island SPCA building (there are 2 more centers):

After our workshop, we were then sent to the Homing section to see the abandoned animals mostly dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, snakes, lizards and hamsters.

It was a bit heartsickening for me to see the abandoned dogs as they stare at me with very expressive gloomy eyes.  Other than this, I am able to read details on why they are sent over for adoption (or for some may end up being terminated).  Really very depressing...

On a positive note, I saw a board showing the successful adoption/homed dogs at the center.  A sort of a happy ending for this lovable critters.

I can't resist to take some photos off the board, here it is:

When you do have the time, please be "cool" and visit your local SPCA or animal welfare center.  I guarantee that it would be one great humbling experience to be with these abandoned animals.

Have a great day!

More Details:

SPCA HK website