Easy Butterfly Origami

My new book, Easy Butterfly Origami features 30 bold full-color patterns designed to accurately portray the dorsal and ventral sides of some of the most beautiful butterflies from around the world!

Origami Folding Tips

Origami, from the Japanese ori (to fold) and kami (paper), began in the 6th century when Buddhist monks introduced paper to Japan. The print-and-fold crafts and easy diagrams are designed to help children with fine motor skills, directions and hand eye coordination. Some basic origami folding tips:
  • Print and cut out patterns carefully.
  • Fold with clean, dry hands.
  • Follow the instructions. Study the diagrams and be patient.
  • Be precise: fold each crease well, flattening the creases by running your fingertip over the fold.
  • Folding the paper away from you is easier than folding towards you.
  • Be creative...use your origami on greeting cards, holiday decorations, table place cards and bookmarks.

Red-Bellied Turtle

There are three species of red-bellied turtles in the United States: the endangered Alabama red-bellied turtle (Alabama's official state reptile), the threatened Eastern red-bellied turtle (also known as the American red-bellied turtle or the Northern Red-bellied Cooter), and the Florida red-bellied turtle.

The threats to these brightly colored turtles are many, ranging from wetland loss, habitat fragmentation, pollution, collection of turtles for food and pets. In Alabama, fences are being built to protect turtles crossing highways in search of nesting areas.

Alabama red-bellied turtle:


Print and Fold an Origami Red-Bellied Turtle:




Difficulty: Easy


Directions:

1A. Print and cut out origami along outer solid lines.
1B. Fold up along line A. Unfold.
1C. Fold down along line B. Unfold.







2A. Turn paper over so that printed side is facing down.
2B. Fold up along diagonal line C. Unfold.
2C. Fold up along diagonal line D. Unfold.







3A. Fold down along diagonal line E. Unfold.
3B. Fold down along diagonal line F. Unfold.
3C. Your origami should now be creased as illustrated.







4A. Fold bottom half up along creases as shown.
4B. Fold top half down along creases as shown.
4C. Your origami should appear as illustrated.







5A. Fold head up.
5B. Fold rear flipper down as shown.
5C. Repeat on other side.







6A. Turn your turtle over, so that the printed side is facing up.
6B. Fold side of shell under as shown.
6C. Repeat on other side.
6D. Fold top of shell under.








"Accordian" fold the tail by tucking it back, then folding it forward. Your red-bellied turtle origami is done!

Print red-bellied turtle origami

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a commonly found in western North America, from British Columbia to North Dakota in the north to Baja California and New Mexico in the South.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, found throughout the Eastern United States as far north as southern Vermont and west to Eastern Colorado, is the official state butterfly of Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Butterflies emerge from their chrysalis in February to May, gathering near pools and streams where they drink and replenish minerals.


Difficulty: Easy

Directions:



1. Print and cut out origami swallowtail butterfly.




For the next few steps, follow instructions to Monarch Butterfly Origami:
2a. With printed side facing down,
2b. Fold in half diagonally along B.
2c. Unfold and repeat the diagonal fold along C.





3a. With printed side facing up,
3b. Fold in half horizontally along A.
3c. Unfold. Your origami should be creased as illustrated.





4. Carefully fold along creases, forming a "tent" as illustrated.





5a. Fold the right "tent" corner up along D, as illustrated.
5b. Fold the left "tent" corner up along E, as illustrated.





6. Your Origami Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly should look like this:





7. Turn butterfly origami over, printed side down.





8a. Fold up along F. Note that corners will pull in to either side.
8b. Crease corners flat, as indicated by arrows.




9. Turn your origami butterfly over.



10a. Fold butterfly in half vertically, so wings are together.
10b. Crease one wing down, diagonally, to form body.
10b. Fold down the other wing, diagonally, as shown.


11. Open wings up. Your butterfly is done!


©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Origami Flowers

Print and fold an Origami flowers:

Camellia Origami
The camellia is the official Alabama State Flower.

Tiger Lily Origami

Iris Origami
The iris is the official state flower for Tennessee, and the official state wildflower for Louisiana (Louisiana iris) and Michigan (dwarf lake iris). It is also celebrated in Japan it the Iris Festival (Shobu no Sekku), because its long leaves resemble the blade of a sword.





Poinsettia Origami


©2012 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved

Origami: Jaguar

Difficulty: Easy








Instructions:
1. Print and cut out image along outer solid lines.
2. Fold back along diagonal line.
3. Turn your origami over, so that the printed side faces down.




4a. Fold down on diagonal line as shown.
4b. Repeat on other side.




5a. Fold ear up as shown.
5b. Repeat on other side.



6a. Turn origami over with printed side up. Fold back white "tip" on top of cat's head.
6b. Repeat with the white corner on cat's chin.
6c. Now your cat is pau! (done)!


Print your Jaguar Origami

Get more cat origami patterns here:
Tiger Origami
Spooky Black Cat
Happy Black Cat
White Cat
Orange Cat

©2009 Tammy Yee. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or altered without written consent.

Origami: Puppy 2


Puppy Origami
If you're ready to print your Puppy Origami, Click Here.





1a. Print and cut out image along outer solid lines.
1b. Fold in half along diagonal line, as shown.





2a. Fold back along solid line as shown.
2b & c. Fold ears forward along diagonal lines. Your Puppy is pau (done)!


Print Puppy
Print Poi Puppy with Lei


Other pups to print and fold:
Puppy OrigamiPuppy Origami



©2009 Tammy Yee. All rights reserved.

Origami Butterflies

Print and fold Origami Butterflies!

Diana Fritillary Butterfly
Print and fold the official state butterfly of Arkansas.
Diana Fritillary Butterfly Origami
Add caption


Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

Arizona's official state butterfly, the two-tailed swallowtail, can be found
Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly Origami


Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
This black swallowtail butterfly can be found in the eastern United States, and occasionally as far north as southern Ontario and south to Cuba. Caterpillars feed on spicebush or sassafras, while adults feed on nectar from azaleas, milkweed and thistle flowers. The spicebush swallowtail is the official state butterfly of Mississippi.




Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a commonly found in western North America, from British Columbia to North Dakota in the north to Baja California and New Mexico in the South.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, found throughout the Eastern United States as far north as southern Vermont and west to Eastern Colorado, is the official state butterfly of Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.




Monarch Butterfly Origami
With its distinctive orange and black markings, the monarch butterfly is the most famous of North American butterflies, best known for its long migrations.
Monarch Butterfly Origami




Kamehameha Butterfly Origami (Pulelehua)
The pulelehua, or Kamehameha butterfly, is one of only two butterflies native to Hawai'i. With its bright red wings, bold black borders, and 2 1/2 inch wingspan, pulelehua are often seen fluttering near koa trees, where adults feed on the sweet sap oozing from broken branches.



©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved

Origami, Math and Science


Robert Lang merges mathematics with aesthetics to fold complex origami insects and creatures from a single sheet of paper. His scientific approach helps him make folds once thought impossible -- and has secured his place as one of the first great Western masters of the art. Here he explains the history and principles behind origami, and how it is applied in engineering space telescopes, solar sails and airbags.

To learn more, visit his website: www.langorigami.com

TENNESSEE, the Volunteer State



STATE FLAG AND MORE COLORING AND ORIGAMI ACTIVITIES COMING SOON


Admission: 16th State (June 1, 1796)
Capital: Nashville

Nickname: The Volunteer State

State Motto: Agriculture and Commerce
State Song: My Homeland Tennessee by Neil Grayson Talor and Roy Lamont Smith

State Amphibian: Tennessee Cave Salamander
State Bird: Mockingbird
State Bird (Game Bird): Bobwhite Quail
State Butterfly: Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
State Fish (Commercial): Channel Catfish
State Fish (Game Fish): Smallmouth Bass
State Flowers: Iris and Passion Flower
State Gem: Tennessee River Pearl
State Insects: Firefly, Honeybee & Ladybug
State Reptile: Eastern Box Turtle
State Trees: Tulip and Yellowwood
State Wild Animal: Raccoon



Copyright ©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved. No portion of this web site may be reproduced without prior written consent.