Epic Origami

The phoenix is one of my favorite origami models. It, like the  dragon , is rather difficult, requiring valley, squash, petal, and reverse folds. If you cannot do all of these folds, refer to the  fold index  for help. The phoenix also has one neat feature; you can fold it from an A4 piece of paper (8.5in. by 11in.) without cutting it into a square. The only difference it makes is that you get a longer tail. Step 1: Start with your sheet of paper color side down (if you are using A4 paper orient it vertically) Step 2: Valley fold the left edge to the right, crease, and unfold Step 3: Turn the paper over Step 4: Valley fold the top left corner to the center so the edge lines up with the center crease Step 5: Valley fold the top right corner just like in step 4 Step 6: Turn the model over and fold edge AB to the center, bringing out the colored corner behind the paper It should look like this: Step 7: Valley...

The swan is a very elegant bird, and this origami model is no exception. It is quite a bit harder than the other swan I have on this blog, and I do not go over the reverse folds in detail. It is best when made out of white paper, but I used yellow to help distinguish each side better. Step 1: Fold a kite base and turn it over so that the flaps are on the back Step 2: Valley fold the far left point in Step 3: Valley fold that same point to the far left edge Step 4: Continue folding the point out so the crease you made in step 3 lines up with the left edge Step 5: Valley fold the model in half Step 6: Take the far left point and bring it down a little to adjust the fold (this step is optional so if you don't understand just skip it) Step 7: Valley fold the bottom edge to the top, and mountain fold the far flap up at the same angle Step 8: Valley fold the far right point to the far left Step 9: Unfold ...