MDL0094 - ORIGAMI - HEART - CARD OR STAND (FROM A SQUARE OR RECTANGLE)

Credits and Resources:
Instructions for many types of origami cards can be found on various sites and blogs all over the Internet, not to mention the different types of heart models out there.
This model is likely to be a traditional model.
If you are aware of any other source where this model or similar might be listed, please let me know so I can reference it under this heading.
Paper to be used: Square or rectangular A4 or colored construction paper; thicker paper or thin cardstock is recommended.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: 8
Description: This model can either be folded and left flat to make a card or it can be placed in an upright position to form a stand.
In both cases, the front of the model will be easily recognizable as a heart while the back part will be a square, or rectangle, depending on the paper you use.
Remarks:
This card can be used in scrap books or on top of gifts.
Fold it for any occasion such as a Valentine's Day party, a wedding or a birthday to use as thank you notes or place cards.
This card is a good option for writing in braille or large print since the back of the model remains largely unfolded, thus it is available for writing, a photo, drawing or any visual or tactile embellishment.
Alternatively, a note can simply be folded into this model and decorated for a quick children's project, a simple gift or a personal touch.
It can also be used as a bookmark by sliding it over the page or pages in a book.
If using two-sided origami paper, lay your paper with the patterned or colored side down before starting to fold.
The heart will be colored or patterned and the back of the model plain or white.
Terms:
1. A valley fold is the normal way you use when folding a piece of paper by e.g. bringing the edges together. If you open the sheet again, there will be a crease or a dip in the paper representing a valley.
2. A mountain fold as it is used in Step 4 below, is just the opposite. Instead of folding the paper towards you, you will fold it away from you. If you would open the fold, the paper will stand up a little, representing a mountain.
Step 1
Place your square down on a flat surface with the edges left and right, top and bottom.
If using rectangular paper, place it with short edges top and bottom or in portrait orientation.
Step 2
Fold the paper in half by bringing the left edge to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Fold up both bottom corners to meet the center crease from the previous step.
Crease well and leave folded.
You will now have a straight edge at the top and a triangular shape at the bottom.
Step 4
Notice that the bottom triangle will have two loose points that lie next to each other at the top center of the paper.
Create a rounded shape for the top of your heart by folding these two points inwards, using a mountain fold.        
You will only need to make two very small folds in order to create a shape as round as possible at the center of the paper.
Try to make these folds cymmetrical so that the points disappear. Your aim is to make the top of your heart as round as possible.
Note that you should only fold the inner, loose single-layered points of the heart, while leaving the top corners of the card itself as is.
Step 5
Turn the card over from left to right, like turning the page in a book.
Step 6
Fold both left and right edges to meet each other at the center.
Crease and leave folded.
Step 7
Now fold the paper in half by bringing the top edge straight down so its center meets the bottom point.
Make       a strong crease and leave folded.
Make sure you keep the sides of the paper straight when doing this fold. Otherwise your heart will be off-center.
You will have a rectangle or square with a smooth surface again.
Step 8
Turn the model over to reveal your very own heart card or stand.
For the card: Keep the model flat. The heart makes up the front of the card.

It opens by lifting up the heart away from you.

Write on the back of the card or on the inside, under or on top of the two flaps you will find there.
For the stand: Let the heart stand up by pushing the back of the card away from the heart.

Both the back and the heart will stand at a slight angle and the heart will balance on its point, giving the illusion that it is floating in the air a little.
Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text instructions.
for non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, November 2021
Revised, March 2024
This text copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com

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