Instructions on How to Fold Origami Hearts

I have been getting many requests for instructions on how to make these cute little paper hearts, so here it is!  If you would like to order the paper strips for making the origami hearts, please go to www.KatherinaKrafts.etsy.com.  Have fun!

1.  Start at one end of the paper strip.  Fold the bottom corner up to the top edge to form a triangle.

2.  Fold along the edge of the triangle.

3.  Continue folding along the triangle until you reach the end of the paper strip.  Try to maintain the triangle shape.

4.  At the end of the paper strip, trim off any excess paper.  Use a small dab of glue to attach the end flap.  You should end up with a triangle, as pictured.

5.  Using scissors, trim and round off the top two corners.  Push down gently in the middle of the top edge of the triangle (arrow) to form the heart.

6.  The center of the heart will puff up, and you will end up with a cute little heart!

Origami Hearts Paper Strips
www.KatherinaKrafts.etsy.com

First Day of Spring!

Yesterday, March 20, 2012, marked the first day of spring!  In honor of the occasion, I found some floral paper in beautiful shades of green and pink and made these origami stars.  Somehow, though, I wasn't able to quite capture the colors on camera.  I may need to get around to taking those photography lessons one of these days!

Support Glaucoma Research at Duke University!

I am very excited to announce that Katherina Krafts will be supporting research for the treatment and cure of neurodegeneration and blindness in patients with glaucoma.  Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure within the eye is increased, resulting in damage to the optic nerve, and subsequently, blindness.

Here is a brief description of the the work that is being done at the Duke University Eye Center:

"Dr. Henry Tseng is studying how neurodegeneration leads to vision loss in glaucoma through cutting-edge clinical and laboratory research. He is a clinician-scientist with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in addition to being a fellowship-trained glaucoma eye M.D. specialist certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Employing powerful transgenic technology, Henry Tseng, M.D., Ph.D. is intensely studying both eye and brain tissue to determine how changes at the genetic and molecular levels lead to neurodegeneration and blindness.

Vision loss and blindness in glaucoma is caused by death of brain cells called retinal ganglion cells that send visual signals from the eye to the brain. For over a hundred years, the loss of these brain cells was thought to be attributed solely to increased eye pressure. Despite improved eye pressure treatment with modern medical, laser, and surgical therapy, many patients continue to lose vision and become blind. Recent research has suggested a previously unknown link between glaucoma and neurodegeneration-- which is a process similar to that found in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Lou Gehrig's diseases.

Ultimately, the goal of Dr. Tseng's research is to determine why these specialized brain cells die in glaucoma, and to bring laboratory knowledge into the clinic to benefit glaucoma patients. His research work will help develop novel technology for earlier diagnosis of glaucoma as well as new drugs to prevent their loss. Furthermore, because of the link between glaucoma and brain neurodegenerative diseases, his work may also benefit patients with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. "

Katherina Krafts will be donating a percentage of its proceeds from select items to the Duke University Eye Center,  specifically earmarked for glaucoma research headed by Dr. Henry Tseng.  For more information on Dr. Tseng, please see his bio: http://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/modules/faculty_dh/viewDetails.php?uid=0304020) 

Alternatively, if you would like to make a donation directly to the Duke Eye Center, you can do so here:  https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukeeye

Information about the Duke Eye Center: http://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu

Please check out the shop and help support glaucoma research!

http://www.KatherinaKrafts.etsy.com

Springtime Flowers

I usually prefer bold colors, but this bouquet of origami flowers in pastels is just too cute! 

These sweet colors just make me excited that spring is just around the corner.  Can you just imagine the Easter Bunny hopping around carrying a basket of eggs with these flowers peeking out over the edge? 

Mother's Day Flowers

I absolutely love this combination of purples, creams, and tan.  The dark purple flowers are created from paper that have the words "love" and "happiness" printed on them.  The light purple flowers have beautiful quotes celebrating Mom.  I just happened to have a coordinating scarf and a vase in a pretty shade of green, and voila!  A gorgeous gift for Mother's Day!

For more flowers: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatherinaKrafts?section_id=11075482

Origami Chore Stars, a Great Alternative to Chore Charts

I was folding origami lucky stars the other day, and a couple of kids asked to see them.  Since I had quite a few of the stars already made, I offered to give them a couple of stars each.  Well, once they saw the brightly colored rainbow array of stars, two stars turned into three, three turned into four, and pretty soon, I had no stars left, and the kids were still begging for more.  I couldn't fold fast enough! 

After seeing how much the kids loved the stars, an idea came to me.  These little origami stars would be great as an incentive the same way teachers and parents use stickers or treats. 

Here's how it works:  The origami stars have customized chores printed on them.  Have the children pick a star and complete the chore listed on the star. If it is done to your satisfaction, they can keep the star in their own special jar or container. Once they fill up their jar, you can give them a special treat! 

Your children will love seeing their star chore jars fill up with stars. It's a great motivation for them to help out mom and dad, and you just may get some well deserved time to yourself!

These origami chore stars can also make a wonderful Mother's Day or Father's Day present! Have your children come up with tasks that they will do for you, and use these stars as "coupons" for you redeem your task.



Baby Girl Origami Flowers

I couldn't resist making some origami flowers to coordinate with the baby girl lucky stars (http://katherinakrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/lucky-star-wishes-for-new-baby-girl.html).  A little one made of pink gingham.  One with adorable curls.  And one to announce "It's a girl!" 

So sweet!