Origami, anyone?

We took a service at a Care Home in the village this week, and Bob chose an extremely old hymn as the benediction. I remember this hymn from Sunday Morning Radio back in the late 1950's/early 60's when Sandy Macpherson brought us hymns from "The Chapel In The Valley". IAs I child, I always thought it was a beautiful little white clapboard structure, with a profusion wildflowers outside - until Dad shattered my mental picture with the information that it was just recorded in a BBC studio, with a group of musicians huddled round a microphone!

Anyway the third line of the hymn really confused me back then ...

God be with you till we meet again;

by his counsels guide, uphold you,

with his sheep securely fold you;

God be with you till we meet again

I thought that being 'folded with sheep' sounded like a ghastly form of human origami!

I think origami is a fascinating craft and am often amazed by the beautiful creations people produce. [I once had a boyfriend who could fold bus tickets into tiny camels!] The only things I can make are paper hats and boats, and "Oppenheimer Boxes"

The boxes are dead easy, and can be made with any old rectangle of paper [OK I know purists only fold perfect squares, but a square won't work for this one] I drive my family mad by making these with those random flyers which fall out of magazines !

Bob even managed to use them for a sermon illustration once.

A simple tutorial on folding them is here - have a go!

But continuing the folded paper theme, Ann brought her new 'scissor keeper' to sewing club.

The pattern for it is incredibly simple, made from just a folded sheet of A4 paper.

It is just the right size for a large pair of Fiskars scissors.

I rather fancy making one of these for myself sometime. And I'd love to try experimenting with A5 paper when I have a moment.

The paper is marked midway along the top, and in three equal sections down the side, like this...

 

 

Once I have got round to producing one for myself I shall post a full tutorial - but maybe you can work out what to do with just this diagram and the pictures.

It is sewn with two A4 pieces of fabric in complementary colours/prints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you can see the case alongside a folded pattern sheet.

Notice how the bottom point needs to be folded in and upwards for extra safe padding of the points!

 

Steph can make Star Boxes from memory.

[Instructions here]

I must try and make a few of these, they look pretty at Christmas time with sweets or nuts in.

 

God be with you till we meet again;

when life's perils thick confound you,

put his arms unfailing round you;

God be with you till we meet again.