Spring Has Sprung—Lily Instructions

To create the origami lily:

1. Start with a square of B&T right side up. (I used 8" squares.) Fold in half to make a rectangle. Crease and unfold. Repeat in the other direction.

2. Turn the paper wrong side up. Now fold diagonally (forming a triangle)(Step 2a). Crease and unfold. Repeat in the other direction (Step 2b).

3. Bring the inverted sides together in the center and flatten the triangle you’ve just formed.

4. Fold the top right flap to the center line and crease (Step 4a). Then reverse the fold (Step 4b). Stand the flap up and open it from the bottom. Slide the point of the bone folder in to pop out the sides and then press it flat (Step 4c). Fold this piece out of the way and repeat the process with the three other flaps. When you are done you should have a diamond-like shape (Step 4d).

5. Fold the outside corners of the uppermost diamond in towards the center line. Crease well then open.

6. Fold the whole diamond shape in half. Crease and then open.

7. Using the creases (Step 7a)made in steps 5 and 6, lift the bottom point of the diamond (upper layer only) up to the top point, bringing in the sides at the same time (Step 7b). It helps to use your thumb and forefinger on each side as well as the bone folder tip on the inside to ensure the side edges move in the right direction. Crease (Step 7c).

8. Now fold the pointed flap made in step 7 down (Step 8a). Repeat this process on the other three sides (Step 8b).

9. On the closed end, fold the outer edges toward the center and crease (Step 9a). Repeat this process on the other three sides (Step 9b).

10. Fold down each petal from the top (Step 10a Side/Top). Now pull out the petals from opposing sides to make the lily blossom (Step 10b Side/Top). Use a pencil to curl the tips of the petals.

To create the stems:
Cut a tiny hole in the base of the lily. Insert heavy gauge floral wire (I doubled mine up and twisted the wires together to make it sturdier). Secure with a Glue Dot. Insert paper leaves into the stems and attach them with Glue Dots®. Starting slightly up on the base of the lily, wrap the stem tightly with green floral tape, catching the bottom of the leaf as you go. To strengthen the bottom of the stem for placement in the vase, wrap a bamboo skewer into the bottom 4" or so of the stem.

To create the vase:
Cut a circular potato chip container in half lengthwise with sturdy scissors or tin snips. Decorate the outside. Cut a piece of floral foam to fit inside the base of the vase. Attach the floral foam to the vase with hot glue, then use hot glue to attach the entire vase to the artwork. Insert the lily stems into the floral foam.

TIP: Line up the edges on all folds as squarely as you can for the prettiest flower. Use a bone folder to make your creases crisp.