Origami Page:
Kissing Lips

Mary Ellen Palmeri

Welcome to our monthly "Origami Page". Origami is folding paper and ending up with delightful figures and models, such as flowers, boxes and animals. This feature will showcase a different origami model in each monthly issue, with diagrams and photos to help readers learn how to fold them. Most models use one square of paper, some use a rectangle, and others use more than one piece of paper.

Click for printable file.

Did you know that July 6th is International Kissing Day? Yup! It began with National Kissing Day in the United Kingdom and is now celebrated worldwide. Kissing can be inspired by many things... affection of course, but also in many cultures it is a sign of respect or friendship, or sometimes as a casual greeting, as in a peck on the cheek. Making this fun and interactive origami model can help you celebrate with your friends and loved ones on Kissing Day, or on any day of the year!

"Kissing Lips" origami can be used by itself as a greeting card, or the model can be added to a larger card for a bigger surprise! Here are some messages to go with your cards to get you started on ideas:

"Happy Kissing Day!" "A Kiss for you!" "Sealed with a Kiss" "Here's a kiss to say I love you!" "Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it!" (- Albert Einstein) "Thinking of You" "When words fail a kiss is all you need to say I Love You!" "A kiss from me to say... [U R Sweet] [U R Loved] [I love you]" "I ❤ You" "I'd rather be kissing you than missing you!" "Sending Hugs & a Kiss! XOXO" "A Kiss to say You're Special" "Sending you a birthday kiss!"

I'd love to see some of your results; if you'd like to share pix with me, send to my website address: info@lyric-arts.com

Happy Folding!

Origami originated in ancient Asian cultures and has been adapted by contemporary artists worldwide to reflect their own cultures. Local artist Mary Ellen Palmeri has incorporated paper folding into many of her mixed media art paintings, and teaches origami classes locally and nationally. Some of her work can be seen in a Tucson Happenings feature here: Artist_Profile

All of her Paper Dream Paintings can be seen in her Etsy shop where custom matted art prints of her original work can be purchased. Go to: www.etsy.com/shop/LyricFineArts

Ms. Palmeri's original origami models have been published in books and magazines, she has been featured on broadcast media, and her mixed-media fine art works often include various original origami models. Origami LAFF (Lyric Arts Folding Fest) is a Tucson based club founded by Ms. Palmeri to provide a venue for sharing this art. The group meets monthly at a local library; for more details please contact the artist at info@lyric-arts.com