Delightful Elephant in the Room

Ok, how often does one say that the “elephant in the room” is delightful?   This expression actually refers to a problem or risk which no one wants to talk about.

But, the Money Elephant in the picture is definitely not that problem or risk!  Look how the inverted triangle serves as his eye while the folds of the neck outline his ear.

Money Elephant. 3.21.2017

A bit tricky to fold for the novice, it can be done following the instructions here.

At the end of the instructions, enjoy photos of folded elephants and read comments posted by viewers.

Why do I fold dollar bills?  The printed pattern on the bills guides my folding and hides my flaws.  Plain paper is very unforgiving.

 

King Cobra sighted

This King Cobra is harmless but does have teeth and a fierce head.

King Cobra.3.12.2017.

Adapted from the original design, a snake’s head and part of the body were folded using a five dollar bill.  A one dollar bill was added to extend the length of the tail.

If you follow the YouTube instructions, you will notice that some steps were missing.  I sort of improvised as to what those folds may have been.

You will need, in addition to your paper(s), a piece of wire – a kitchen twisty will do – and double sided tape to keep the wire in the snake’s body.  Happy folding.

 

 

A Framed President

President’s Day has come and gone.  But, here is a dollar bill fold called “George Washington Framed.”

George Washington Framed. 3.5.2017.

It is designed by Gay Merrill Gross and appears in Montroll’s Dollar Bill Origami.

I really struggle with understanding folding diagrams.  It is far easier to watch a video and copy the folders actions — stopping and starting or slowing down the video when needed.

In an article, I read that one artist learned how to fold by looking ahead in the written instructions to figure out difficult steps.  This was before the proliferation Origami videos on YouTube.  I will endeavor to do the same.

Boston HarborWalk

If you visit Boston, check out the Boston HarborWalk.  This walkway runs around the Boston Harbor and beyond.

You can walk by piers, wharves, beaches and shorelines.  There are even free walking tours offered throughout the year.

Saturday was a lovely morning for a Boston HarborWalk on the North End.  An unseasonably warm 50 degree day, it was perfect for walking.

Here are a couple of snapshots taken that day.

Harbor Morning Mist

Preparing Sailboats

Columbus Park

Boston Ferry

Dolphin Sculpture

Money Dolphin 2.27.2017.

Our tour guide was excellent.  Leaving from the Long Wharf Marriott, we walked all the way to the little Maritime Museum near the Coast Guard.

When I passed a dolphin sculpture on my way to the meeting point, it inspired me to fold this Money Dolphin designed by Jeremy Shafer.

Experimenting with Folding Money

I continue to be intrigued with folding dollar bills.  It is something about how the paper feels in ones fingers.

This peacock turned out alright but the print distracted from the shape.  The peacock instructions were for a rectangular piece of paper so this worked for the dollar bill.

Money Peacock. 2.19.2017.

This morning, I must have wasted two hours experimenting (quite unsuccessfully) with trying to fold a dollar bill using different models requiring square papers.

Perhaps if I modify the design, I will get the desired result…I’ll keep trying.