Paper Cranes
June 3, 2010 6:45 am Gillian Crafts, Green Crafting, Home Decor, Kid's Crafts, Paper Crafts, Projects
By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.
The very best things in life are pretty and practical.
Over the past almost eight years that I’ve been a mother, I’ve discovered that having a bell on your door is a very good thing. When my son was two he woke up from his nap, balanced on the arm of a chair and unlocked the chain lock on our door, then let himself out of the house all in total silence while I baked cookies in the kitchen. He wasn’t due to wake up for another 30 minutes so it would have been a while before I realized he was gone. Thankfully our door let out a loud squeak whenever it closed which tipped me off. I snatched him up as he was making a break for it down the street to the local playground. It all ended well but it made for some bad moments for a while when I pondered the “what-if’s”. So, yes, a bell on the door is an excellent thing.
Then of course, he grew old enough to go outside on his own and I stopped worrying, until this spring when his little sister started showing distinct signs of following in his sneak-out-of-the-house tendencies (the teenage years are going to be rough). So we’re back to the bell on the door. Last time it was just that, a big old bell tied to the doorknob. This time I decided to get a little more creative and went for a little zen calm with some origami cranes.
If you ‘ve never folded cranes, it’s one of those calming, repetitive activities that both adults and kids can enjoy. My class folded, literally, a thousand when I was a teacher for a project one year.
Here’s what you need
3 pieces of patterned paper 8 inches square (I used Amy Butler Scrapbooking paper)
3 feet of thin ribbon in a coordinating color
1 bell with a loop on the top for attaching it.
Bone Folder (optional)
Yarn Needle
Begin by folding the paper corner to corner and in half both ways, creasing each fold well and opening the square back up before each new fold.
With the paper point sure up (like a diamond) fold the sides in while at the same time pulling the top down. You’ll end up with a smaller square.
Fold in the flaps with open sides toward the center and then unfold. Then fold down the remaining triangle at the top. Repeat on the other side.
Open the square up and bit and pull down the bottom point to create a narrow diamond shape. Repeat with the other side.
Fold the sides in again to make an even skinnier kite shape and again, repeat on the other side.
Turn the shape on it’s side and slightly open the side creases.
Pull up the head and the tail, creasing the tip of the head down, and fold down the wings.
Once you have three cranes, thread the ribbon onto the needle and thread through the body of each crane. Tie a large knot just under each crane, leaving about 6 inches between each.
Loop the top around your doorknob and adjust for height before securing. Attach the bell to the bottom and thread the tail of the ribbon back up through the last crane to keep it out of the way.
Click here to watch an instructional video of origami paper cranes.
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