Origami Flowers

This well-illustrated guide combines two popular Japanese traditions — the art of ikebana, or flower arrangement, and origami, the ancient practice of paperfolding. With the help of easy-to-follow directions, beginners and experts alike will not only be able to create their own charming floral displays, they'll also be able to make the stems, leaves, and even vases for holding a variety of captivating blossoms. Following a brief but fascinating history of origami and explanations of the symbols used throughout the book, you're immediately introduced to a variety of attractive, easy-to-fold models — among them a wheat stalk, a water lily, an iris, a lily with a white center, and a five-petaled balloon flower. Successive chapters present increasingly complex designs. A number of them, such as a cherry blossom, a sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum, a daffodil and narcissus, an accordion-pleated leaf, and a swirl rose, will challenge even longtime folders. But clear instructions and the many illustrations that accompany every model ensure your successful completion of each project. A final chapter devoted to flower arrangement shows you how to put all you've learned to good use.