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

Volunteering for the Philippines - Bayanihan Spirit lives on in Aid of Haiyan Victims

Communal "bayanihan" work lives on in Hong Kong in support of the people affected in the Philippines by the recent devastation caused by typhoon Hai Yan (Yolanda).  It's a gathering of people to accomplish a task to help individuals or group of individuals without any monetary remuneration.  

I am one of the fortunate few who was able to give assistance loading relief goods donated by local HK residents for air shipment to the Philippines.

Below are some pictures of our noble efforts.

I experienced some muscle aches and strains the next day due to no regular physical exercise but I realize that nothing can replace the inner joy and heart warming pleasure of performing a selfless deed for humanity.   In my heart, I know my family will be returned the favor a hundred times over.

Have a nice day!

Origami Creations - Modular Geometric Planar Origami (WXYZ by Tung Ken Lam)

I have been busy the past few weeks with family visiting over in Hongkong.  Finally, I get to have a chance to sit and write again  ...

I have expressed my love for modular geometric origami in my previous post.  In its simplicity, it has its classic, fascinating and everlasting beauty that you will never get bored looking at.  Other than this, it makes for a great gift and you will surely be remembered  (not only for the gift but for more gifts and request to make them).

Among the simplest of the planar intersecting models, the WXYZ (such a convenient name) Intersecting Triangles is the easiest and best looking of them all.   This is designed by Mr. Tung Ken Lam which has inspired a lot of origamist to create similar models (different shapes and more pieces).

Here is what I have made:

 

A great looker of a model, huh!  The folding part is easy but the assembling will give you enough challenging surprise.  Really, the puzzle of connecting the pieces is a great bonus!

Diagrams can be found here:

Enjoy and have a great day!

Origami Creations - Long Eared Bat Tutorial and Diagrams

Enjoyed myself doing the videos and diagramming of my very own simple origami designs.  So for Halloween 2013, I have blogged about the Long Eared Bat which I have created and brought to life ... so to speak.

Comments I received from family and friends is they find the model quite cute and fun to make.  Making the face was a bit tough though but well worth it once its done. 

Let me share with you my model:

 

Below is the video tutorial:

If you prefer to make it using origami diagrams, you may get it here.

Long Eared Bat Ori Diagram Page 1

Long Eared Bat Ori Diagram Page 2

May you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

- 0 -

Art Immersion and Appreciation - One of Life's Joy and Simple Pleasure

Passing through the Hongkong Central Library in Causeway Bay, I came upon an event - "The 3rd International Forum of Painting and Calligraphy Art Development" organized by the Literary and Art Exchange Association of Asia.

It was a wonderful experience and very satisfying afternoon for me - To be able to immerse myself in deep mental appreciation of one of the oldest artistic traditions in the world - Chinese painting and calligraphy.  I am so proud to see how this art form is still growing strong and practiced by many.

The unique aspect of Chinese painting and calligraphy is that it still uses the traditional materials of brush dipped on black or colored ink set against paper or silk.  The completed art works are then mounted in hanging scrolls or handscrolls. 

Let me share with you the joy and beauty of the various artworks on display in this slideshow:

3rd Int'l Forum of Chinese Painting & Calligraphy by Slidely Slideshow

Have a great weekend!

- 0 -

More info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_painting

Origami Creations - Simple Fall Squirrels Tutorial

Finally completed my origami diagram and video tutorial for the Fall Squirrel.   It was a good learning experience as I am able to learn new tricks - Inkscape diagramming and Video creation and editing.

May you need any assistance, let me know.  Either I can teach you directly or point you to resources that can help you out.  Not an expert though but I guarantee that I have a helpful and kind soul to give free guidance and support.  Drop me an email or comment below ...

As a refresher, below is my own designed origami squirrel.

And without further ado, here is my video tutorial:

If you want to get a copy of the diagrams, you may get it here:

Simple Origami Squirrel Page 1
Simple Origami Squirrel Page 2

Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend.

- 0 -

Origami Creations - Merry Christ-METTE to All!

I have seen so many nice origami Christmas tree pictures and diagrams in the web.  Most of them are modular origami designs.  

I plan to create one for my family but seem like time is not on my side.  So, I decided to improvise and use my lovely and colorful Mette rings.

Now, this is our Christmas Tree.

Our colorful christmas tree

Mette rings are a joy to make.  It is designed by Mette Pederson and the one I made is the so called 3 dimensional mette rings.  These are easy to make and fun to play with colors.  You will need 12 pieces to form the ring.

I have searched for a tutorial in the web but found nothing so I created one here.

 

Looking forward to a wonderful and fun-filled Christmas 2013.

- 0 -

More info:

http://www.metteunits.com/

Origami Creations - Love for Birds

My first origami was the flapping bird and since then my love for folding birds always stayed with me.  In fact, the traditional origami crane (鶴 tsuru), a bird, was made an icon to represent this art form.

Here I made a special origami crane.  Its 4 birds connected on their beaks.

Below is a photo diagram on the major challenging steps to making them.

From top to bottom.

I have also prepared a video below for your viewing pleasure:

Here are some  of the origami birds that I folded.

Hoang Tien Quyet Swan

Roman Diaz Birds

Mabona Swallow and Guinta Bird

Toco Toucan by Hoang Tien Quyet

Enjoy and have a great day!