Book Review: Amazing Origami Boxes
Katie 
Amazing Origami Boxes includes 20 origami models with instructions and diagrams. There are some really cool ones included – I can tell just from the cover! The book starts with the biography of Tomko Fuse – “the queen of modular origami” who wrote this book and came up with these amazing designs. The book has 3 degrees of difficulty – Medium, Medium to Advanced and Advanced. Each one is noted by 1, 2 or 3 dots. There are also guides to the different kinds of folds that you will find in the instructions. All of these designs seem to be a bit over my head, so I guess I am not quite at “Medium” level yet – probably still a “beginner”. The basket with triangular handles looks amazing, I thought the cube box was awesome – then I turned the page and there was a DOUBLE cube box… My mind is blown. And the Tulip cup and Rose box may be some of the pretties origami I’ve ever seen. Makes me wish I had some paper to try it out – even though I know I would end up failing miserably.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Simple but unique, an origami box represents the thoughts and feelings of its maker. Between the pleasure of paperfolding and the satisfaction of having a handmade item to use (or give!), the box forms a positive association for the maker (and between the giver and recipient). In this guide, origami master Tomoko Fuse presents 20 original designs for origami boxes — some simple, others more complex, all made from a single sheet of paper.
Beautiful, full-color photographs accompany step-by-step instructions and diagrams for a splendid variety of completely functional boxes. They range from conventional square and rectangular shapes to those in the form of a bird, a basket, a cat’s head, a flower, and other shapes. By varying the type of paper and color combinations, folders can create an endless variety of effects. Suitable for origami enthusiasts of all skill levels, this guide promises hours of creative joy.
Ahh, Crochet. Something that I always say I want to learn to do but never do anything with it beyond reading books about it and looking at the pretty pictures. This time I am reading all about how to make various crochet flowers. The book contains 30 fabulous flowers and projects. Most of these flowers are done with a loom, which might be a bit easier for me to figure out… even though it features a handful of different kinds of looms. It then goes in to talk about what kinds of yarns you should use as well as colors – this page was especially interesting because it showed the same flower made with 12(!) different color sets and they all looked wildly different from each other. Then it goes into different techniques for different flowers. BRB, buying myself a loom, these are all so pretty!!!! It also features some crochet techniques as well. These all go over my head but there are photos included with the instructions so if you have any idea what you are doing it should be easy to follow the stitching instructions. Then you can join everything together to make really fun flowery things like doilies or I suppose even blankets if you have enough flowers made!