DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Origami Heart with Pocket

You can slip a note, candy cane, stick of gum or other thin object into these cute little origami hearts and give them to a good friend.  Although not strictly allowed in origami, if you're inserting something heavy you might want to use a bit of tape or glue to make sure your heart doesn't break (no pun intended *grin*)

If you have trouble with the instructions, try reading through the basic origami instructions section.

Materials:

• square of paper - click here for instructions to make a rectangle of paper (typical 8.5x11 sheet) into a square.
• NOTE:  origami paper typically comes with each side a different color -- this is perfect for this project!!  You can find double sided origami paper at your local craft store -- it is inexpensive.

Instructions:

Valley fold paper from corner to corner, making a triangle.
Valley fold the triangle from corner to corner, making a smaller triangle.
Unfold everything -- you'll have a square of paper with an X crease.
Valley fold the bottom edge up to the top.
Valley fold the left edge over to the right.
Unfold everything -- you'll have a square of paper with an astrix crease.  To make this a bit easier, flip your paper over and refold everything so your folds crease both ways.
Valley fold paper from corner to corner, making a triangle.   (I know, we've done this before *grin*)
Push the corner in so it meets the top corner    (Click here to see a big photo of this step -- close photo window when done viewing to return here)
Push the paper under and crease firmly   (Click here to see a big photo of this step -- close photo window when done viewing to return here)
Repeat the process on the other side
When you look at it from the top it looks like a squished cup    (Click here to see a big photo of this step -- close photo window when done viewing to return here)
When you look at it from the front it looks like a diamond with a crease in the center.  The opening should be at the top of the project.
Valley fold the top layer of paper down.
Flip over.
Valley fold the top layer of paper down.
Valley fold the two points at an angle so they form little triangles who's edges match the edge of the previous fold
Valley fold the tips of the triangle down.
Valley fold the side points of the heart inward.
Optional:  apply a bit of glue or tape to the last 4 folds (the 2 tips and 2 points) -- strictly speaking, this isn't allowed in origami, but it will make your project sturdy enough to slip candy into your pocket.
Flip your heart over and pull open the little pocket in the front if you would like to slip in a note, stick of gum or small candy!   (Click here to see a big photo of this step -- close photo window when done viewing to return here)

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