The Origami Home by Mark Bolitho

This has to be by far one of my favourite books that I've reviewed this year!
When this landed on my desk I was left in awe because as a child I was obsessed with making furniture and accessories for my doll's house.

Origami expert Mark Bolitho does just that! Not that it's for dolls' houses but it does lend itself very well for this but this publication is perfect for lovers of design and interiors too.
His little folded art works are absolutely beautiful and you can make things like recliner chairs, coffee tables, potted flowers and even pets.
They are amazing just as they are and you really don't need a doll house to make the projects. Though I'm gutted that this book wasn't around when I was a kid as my Barbie would have had the swankiest pad on the street!

Mark Bolitho has been Chairman of the British Origami Society for 35 years and though he had a successful career as an accountant he traded in the paper work for paper folding and we're honestly pleased that he has made that choice.
Working for clients like the BBC and Hewlett Packard have undoubtedly brought  his art of paper folding to the general public prompting further projects with many others in  Japan, Canada, France and Sweden to name but a few.
The popularity of origami isn't looking to fade anytime soon and so it shouldn't... with amazing talent like his and great books like this one then it can only grow.
Author of several books including the aptly named Creaselightning (which is also his web site name) we tip our folded paper hats to him not only for his artistic talent but you know us... we also love a good pun!

The BIG Lottery Fund and the BBC challenged villages across the UK to come up with ideas for new businesses! ©BBC/TBLF

With over 30 project explained step by step including how to furnish each individual room (or sets as Mark refers to them) with a selection of sweet, quirky and fun projects we're sure it'll leave you inspired to make your own.

Everything is covered here from the living room, loft room to even a terrace. He also shows us how to select colours and patterns to construct your ideal set and a huge plus point is that he has also added a few pages of very nicely explained basic instructions with detailed diagrams so you don't feel overwhelmed before you tackle the projects.

The book is divided by rooms and there's a great mix of styles of furniture from Shaker to mid century which will please just about anyone.
An added bonus is the handy pocket in the back cover which is filled with an amazing array of origami paper sheets... flowers, geometrics, you name it. It's there!

Though the little me would have imploded with excitement a more mature guerrilla has sat down and though loudly quietly squealed at every page I am now beginning to construct a Standard Lamp to gift to another excitable little girl who has room in her doll's house for some great hand made origami treats! 

A great gift for any origami fan or even novice and especially for those, like me, who despite their age still love making miniature furniture. The mix of furniture designs, along with the unique and fun presentation style, will ensure that The Origami Home appeals to anyone with a love for design and interiors, as well as paper folding enthusiasts!

Available via Jacqui Small Publishing... we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did!

To order The Origami Home at the special offer price of £16 including UK P&P, telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk, quoting the offer code APG267 and the book ISBN 9781909342514. 

As easy as folding paper!

With the school holidays quickly creeping up on us we're often left searching for alternative ways to keeping the younger members of the family entertained and engaged. If you'd rather have your kids learning a craft skill instead of sitting in front of an iPad or TV screen then this might be the book for you!
Not only is "Origami 365" perfect for your kiddos but it's also pretty fab for adults too. Believe me it's got tons of stuff that both I and my partner will be making. I'm already treating some fabric with wallpaper glue to make flowers for a festival headpiece. That project I will be posting very soon on the blog so keep an eye out for that!

In this book, Taro Yaguchi, founder of Taro's Origami Studio and master of the fold, shares his unique "Kyu" System with us.
Not dissimilar to the the colour coded levels often associated with mastery in the field of martial arts you'll successfully learn the basic folds and bases where you'll be rewarded with passage to the next level. You'll be an Origami Black Belt in no time... or actually according to the "Kyu" System you'll be an Origami Red Belt in no time!

Origami can be used as a way to reward your little ones too... complete a task, make an origami piece and get a star on the behavioural wall chart which is good news all round!
Now I'm no expert on child rearing but having 7 nieces and nephews I have had lots of experience when it comes to finding interesting ways to keep them engaged and off the naughty step!
Having so much free time and not always the best summer weather can prove a chore when it comes to keeping the younger individuals in the family happy and content. So what better way is there to keep them entertained then by making something both you and they will enjoy?
But it's not necessarily something you might want to use just as a "treat" it's also a really amazing thing to learn as Origami can help explore creativity, problem solving and promote patience. But lets move away from the kids' angle and look at the book as a whole...

This book contains a brief history of the ancient art of paper folding as well as 12 projects which are clearly illustrated and are easy to achieve without the use of complicated jargon, fiddly tools or expensive materials.
You'll also find a selection of specific key folds and base forms that provide a foundation for the development of origami skills ranging from "the book fold" to the "outside reverse fold". If that means nothing to you... fear not, it's all explained and you'll be talking like an Origami master by the end of that chapter.

The book itself comes in a lovely presentation box set which also includes 365 pieces of beautifully designed origami papers in three different sizes, hence the title... yup, you'll have enough paper to last a whole year. Though I'm not sure I'd keep to the daily quota it's definitely a book I'll revisit time and time again.
If you too would like to get your crafty mittens on this book then please order via us to get a very special offer:
To order your copy of Origami 365  (9781937994525) for £14. including p&p** telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code APG171.   

**Please note that orders from outside the UK will incur an different p&p charge. 

And hey presto, lovely flowers!!!

Put some heart in your art!

Make your Valentine's sweetheart this sweet little origami card!

More craft projects to come soon on our blog and in our new Craft-zine!
Published trimonthly the Craft Guerrilla zine brings you lots of interesting projects,recipes, interviews and handy craft tips. Each edition is edited and composed by a different Craft Guerrilla.
Available to buy at our events and on line in our Guerrilla shop. COMING SOON!!! Keep those peepers peeled!