Fancy Origami Heart

In honor of Valentine's Day I wanted to make/share a nice origami heart with you so you could add it to a card, gift bag, etc.

Well, I can't tell you how many different patterns I tried till I found one I actually liked. So many of them sort of looked like a heart but the paper just flopped open and didn't really stay where it should making the "heart" look like a mess.

I finally found an origami heart that looked like a heart, stayed folded like I thought it should and was pretty to boot!

Now before we get started...I know this has lots of steps but I wanted to show everything in detail to make it easy. It goes really quick and the results are sooooo worth it so stick with me :)

OH - I tried something new with the photos...I added text & extra pointers to some of the photos ~ do you like them? Does it help/hurt with the explanation? PLMK what you think.

Bloomin Origami Heart

Supplies:

Pattern Paper - 3x6; 4x8; 5x10, etc.

(optional) - Distress Ink, Ink Blending Tool

Instructions:

1. (Optional) Since the back of my paper was white I added a bit of color with my Distress Ink & Ink Blending Tool.

2. Fold the paper in half so you have two equal size squares. Crease & open.

3. Fold each corner in towards the center line. Crease & open.

Your paper should now look like this....two squares with an "X" crease mark on each.

4. Fold the outer edge towards the center crease. Crease & open. Repeat for the other side.

Your paper should now look like this.... We're ready to begin creating the heart!

5. Turn your paper so the boxes are now on top of each other. Lift the top edge and bring it in towards the center fold line. As you're doing so, draw the sides in towards the center as shown in the photo.

You should now have a triangle ~ crease and leave folded.

Repeat with the other creased box.

6. Rotate the paper so the center line is pointing towards you.

7. Lift the 4 triangles slightly. This will help with the next step.

8. Fold each of the triangles towards each other. This will create 4 smaller triangles as shown.

Repeat on the other side.

9. Lift one of the triangles and open it by pressing on the tip. Press the tip down so it meets the center fold line.

Your triangle will now form a square.

Repeat with the other 3 small triangles.

You will now have for small squares in the center of the larger square.

10. Flip the paper over. Your square should be made up of 2 larger triangles. Fold one of these triangles over onto the other.

Your paper should now look like this...

11. Flip your heart over so the front side is once again facing up.

Fold the two corners of each square in towards it's center mark creating a mini folded kite. Repeat with each square.

Your paper should now look like this...

12. Flip the heart over so the back side is up. Fold & crease the two outside points. I folded these points over 1/4" (4x8 starting sheet).

13. Flip the heart over so the front side is facing up.

Lift up one of the small folded flaps on the kite. Press the tip open and crease. This will create a little "petal". Repeat with each flap on all of the mini kites.

Once you have opened and creased each of the little flaps you will now have a neat little flower in the center of your heart!

You can use the flower as is or add a nifty little embellishment to the center of the flower. You could add a brad, gemstone, charm, paper flower, bow, etc.

Your Bloomin' Heart is now ready to be added to a gift card, flower bouquet, box of chocolates, etc.!

So, did you make it through to the end?

What do you think?

Fun huh?