April 19, 2012

Make origami bows from magazine pages

Turns out it's oddly satisfying to make a bow from a single square of scrap paper. No glue or tape needed; just a scissors to make a couple of cuts.

These are folded from graph paper I stole from Alex's stash, a piece of origami paper, and a chopped-up Martha Stewart magazine. I trimmed the paper into 6" squares and followed the excellent instructions posted at Let's Create.

These will be handy at Christmas when we need to mail packages or stack boxes in the car for a road trip, since the bows can be squashed completely flat. Course by then, I won't remember how to make them anymore, or even that I posted this.

55 comments:

  1. Grandma GApril 19, 2012 at 11:31 PM

    So THAT'S what you've been doing all day! You're very late! ;) Looks like it was well worth your time, though. I might even have to give them a try.

    G'night!
    Mum

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  2. Jessica JonesApril 19, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Yes, I spent 15 hours on 4 paper bows. :)

    No, I spent 15 hours on a brochure, an invitation, a couple phone meetings, and a logo. I'm pooped. Night night!

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  3. Grandma GApril 19, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    I hope you got paid overtime! ;)

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  4. Natalie, the ChickenbloggerApril 19, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    They really are very pretty.

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  5. UnknownApril 20, 2012 at 1:13 AM

    great. this is very helpful. thanks for posting :)

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  6. KarinApril 20, 2012 at 2:16 AM

    I love these pieces and sure I'll try some :D. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. NinaApril 20, 2012 at 3:41 AM

    You're right - perfect for posting! If I don't remind you at Christmas, you remind me, OK?

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  8. tinajoApril 20, 2012 at 3:48 AM

    That´s really pretty! :-)

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  9. BarniclesApril 20, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    thank you, these are awesome :)

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  10. KimApril 20, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    You'll be able to find them again if you pinterest lol! These r going on my pretty packaging board ASAP! Thanks for the link!! I hope I canals th as neatly as u do...

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  11. Celtic ThistleApril 20, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    These look great, and will be a great use for all of those magazines I have been keeping but can no longer remember why!

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  12. Tracy VTApril 20, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    This is a real winner! Great look for minimum outlay! Terrific for presents, as a bunting, the Christmas tree.....I love them!

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  13. AnonymousApril 20, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    I personally want to see someone wear this. I think it would be fabulous. Thank you.

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  14. HelenApril 20, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Thanks for linking to my blog.

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  15. ElizabethApril 20, 2012 at 9:46 AM

    I pinned this in hopes that I will remember when I need this at Christmas!

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  16. RachaelApril 20, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    After seeing how much normal bows for presents are going for lately i'm totally going to give this a whirl for the husbands birthday presents next month!

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  17. PrincessChuckApril 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM

    OMG! So awesome.. :D i need to practice this for presents to come.. XD

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  18. CaseyApril 20, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    I love these little folded bows! Maybe I will try one today during my lunchbreak. I've got tons of draft construction plans laying around that would make pretty cool/nerdy bows. :)

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  19. Jessica JonesApril 20, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Ooo, I love that idea. Maps would be fun, too.

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  20. StephanieApril 20, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    awesome!!

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  21. Baking in the AtticApril 20, 2012 at 12:39 PM

    Ooh love that you used magazines to make it, so pretty! Way fancier than the dollar-bill bowties I used to put into the offering basket as a kid :-)

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  22. annie deeApril 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    i was impressed just looking at 'em. then i tried it. now i'm even more impressed. me and origama just don't get along well. way cool... thanks

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  23. jen duncanApril 20, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    That's a way cool project. Thanks for the laugh--I too will forget WAY before Christmas. :-)

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  24. AnonymousApril 20, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    So cute!

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  25. UnknownApril 20, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    These are gorgeous! Definitely pinning this page. Thanks!

    Lesley
    byporchlight.blogspot.com

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  26. SophieApril 21, 2012 at 4:10 AM

    thank you for this idea ♥

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  27. OltreversoApril 21, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    Thank's!!!!

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  28. JJ SobeyApril 21, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Very cool - mine don't look as good as yours - maybe I need to rip up a MS magazine for them, hahahahha! Thanks for the link!

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  29. AnonymousApril 21, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    wow, these are gorgeous. thanks for the tip and link.

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  30. UnknownApril 21, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Wow, that is really charming. I knew I was hoarding all those magazines for a reason, thank you so much for posting!

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  31. aliensatemelastnightApril 21, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    I love it!!

    www.aliensatemelastnight.com

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  32. pakApril 22, 2012 at 6:11 PM

    "Course by then, I won't remember how to make them anymore, or even that I posted this"

    I actually snorted when I read this - scared the dog out of his wits...

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  33. Christy April 22, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    I love this eco friendly project! Thanks!

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  34. Lilly's PapillonApril 23, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    This is lovely! thank you for sharing! :)

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  35. caliApril 23, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    love these !

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  36. Katrine - make it and fake itApril 24, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    Hi,
    I saw your line was called "outside oslo" that is so funny!!! I live right outside oslo!! :) Where did you get the idea to call it that?

    Love K

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  37. Jessica JonesApril 24, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    Hi, K from outside Oslo! I talk a bit about the name in this post.

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  38. Cara @ Live the Home LifeApril 24, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Very cute and a great idea for gift wrap! Thanks for sharing.

    Cara

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  39. AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    these are amazing! i am obsessed with bows and these add a whole new twist to them! lOVE

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  40. Holiday Party SOSApril 27, 2012 at 7:38 PM

    So love something I can tailor to any holiday. Thanks for the great idea, I love them.

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  41. mrshohApril 28, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    i can't wait to try this!

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  42. AmyApril 30, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    Very cool. I'll have to try this!

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  43. SerialstylerMay 11, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    I'm always looking for something to Jazz up those birthday gifts! Thanks a bunch!!

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  44. BettyJuly 12, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    These bows are fantastic thanks for sharing.

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  45. AnonymousJuly 15, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    I love being able to re-use stuff I already have around the house! And no glue??? I'm sold.

    These rock.

    (PS: I linked this to my blog.)

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  46. Yamayka's Gift Wrapping IdeasJuly 17, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Its a great idea to make the bows out of magazine pages.Thanks for inspiring.

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  47. MiniOwnerSeptember 17, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    Aww I want to make these but the link is gone!
    Did you save the instructiosn by any chance?
    Sue x

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  48. Jessica JonesSeptember 17, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Hi Mini, looks like the URL for the tutorial changed. I've found the new one and updated it in the post:
    http://helenmade.blogspot.com/2011/08/paper-bow-tutorial.html

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  49. UnknownNovember 7, 2012 at 10:57 AM

    These are on my to-do list :)
    http://www.danyabanya.com/2012/11/five-awesome-projects-on-my-to-do-list.html

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  50. saraJanuary 14, 2013 at 5:07 AM

    Awesome ideas, thanks so much for sharing them!! :)

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  51. JenJune 1, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    Wow! This is such a wonderful origami art! Thank you for sharing this. Awesome and perfect for the kids. We also did a Jumping Paper Frogs out of the same materials you used. You should check this out!
    EarlyLearning.Momtrusted.com Origami for Kids: Jumping Paper Frogs

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  52. CeliaSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:22 PM

    This is awesome!

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  53. RamonSeptember 10, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Gorgeous!

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  54. SherylOctober 12, 2014 at 7:14 AM

    This is an amazing idea... I just tried one and came.out very well.. Perfect to be precise! Thanks for sharing ;)

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  55. CocoFlowerDecember 16, 2014 at 8:37 AM

    Woua ! Lovely !!!!

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