Focus, quiet and practice are important in meditation as well as in origami, and because of this, the two work together in synergy. Take origami animals, such as a simple crane, and practice making it until it becomes second nature to you; as though you could do it blindfolded.

While you are doing this, you will be entirely focused on the task at hand, which is making the crane. There are many ways to go about meditating and one of them, surprisingly enough, is through the practice of origami.

You will suddenly find yourself only concentrating on the fascinating folds of origami techniques, or origami flowers or any other design, and you will enter an almost hypnotic state as your muscles move without controlled thought.

As you do this you are able to clear your mind and only concentrate on the paper and how each fold creases as you work with it. Clear you mind and focus on each crease.

Want to make an origami crane? These few steps instruct you on how to make a crane with beautiful wings. First you will need a square piece of craft or Japanese paper, and the smaller the sheet, the smaller the final crane will be.

If you have a sheet that is colored on one side, then begin with the sheet face down (white side down) on your work surface. Start by folding one corner to meet the other diagonally, thus forming a rectangle.

Now open the sheet up and lay it out flat again. Fold it diagonally so that the white side is out. Line up each corner to get a triangle. Now then, open up the sheet of craft paper.

Lay the paper with the white side up and bring in the side corners, while bringing the top corner down to get a square. With the open sides pointing downward, fold one corner of the square so that the edge is lined up perfectly with the center line, and repeat this step with the other flap. Now flip the model over and repeat this step on the back side flaps. What you have now looks similar to a kite.

Fold the top flap of the “kite” down and crease it hard with your fingernail. Next fold it the same way but in the opposite direction, making a sharp crease. Next, things get a little tricky. You will open up one side, and lay it flat.

Lift the top flap of the “kite” on the open end and fold it upwards, bringing in the sides and lay flat to get a diamond shape. Flip over the model and repeat on the other side.

Next you will fold two of the flaps over and then repeat this step on the other lower flap. Fold one flap over and lay it flat so that each side is lined up and the points are up. Now you will fold the top flap down to reveal one wing.

Flip over and repeat. Invert one of the upper tips like this to form a bowing head. Pull back the other tip slightly to form the crane’s tail. Now gently pull the wings apart to “inflate” the body.

You may also discover that your origami animals become better the more you are able to enter into a meditative state while practicing the craft with Japanese paper. The better you become at origami, the deeper and more meaningful your meditations will become.

As time goes by, creating a crane will become another aspect of your meditation.

When origami was first introduced to Japan from China, there was very little paper to be had, thus only the rich could afford to indulge in this paper folding art form.

The Japanese were very creative and resourceful in finding useful purposes for their creations. For many centuries, there were no written directions or Japanese art guidebooks regarding origami folds.

White sheets were torn into strips and used to mark sacred objects. Japanese origami has become part of the cultural heritage of the Japanese people.

Honorable Samurai warriors would exchange gifts in the form of noshi, a paper folded with a piece of dried fish or other meat. It was considered a token of good luck.

Another example of the Japanese using it in a purposeful way includes wedding gifts given by Shinto noblemen. They would wrap glasses of rice wine or sake in butterfly forms to represent the newlywed couple. Additionally, the crane became a Japanese symbol of peace and good fortune.

As paper became less expensive, so too did easier methods develop, Japanese origami art became a popular artistic endeavor for everyone, not just for the rich. Japanese origami became a very popular form of artistic expression; even being depicted in paintings and sculpture.

It was not only the Japanese who were embracing the art of fascinating folds paper, but the Moors in Africa were as well. When they invaded Spain in the eighth century, they brought this art form with them.

Because their religion prohibited them from making animal forms, the Moors created geometric figures instead. From Spain, this art form spread to South America, and as trade routes were developed, origami was introduced to Europe and eventually to North America.

During the Heian period, from 794 to 1185, Japanese origami art was given as a gift to friends or family. In the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, people were making more intricate and complex designs by using more than one sheet of paper.

It is even taught in Japanese elementary schools as a lesson in geometry. This popular art form is still going strong in Japan, as it is all over the world.

When using the Cricut machines it is important to have a cartridge. There are several types, font, shapes, licensed, solutions, classmate and the Beyond birthdays cartridge is a great example of a shape cartridge. Cartridges have a tendency to be themed orientated linked to a particular event but as this cartridge’s title indicates this is not just one thing but has a little of many ideas.

Its creator is Cecelia Harris and she has decided upon a great gathering of greetings, symbols, phrases, icons and of course shapes. The manufacturers have also added creativity devices like framed in square or oval, shadow and shadow blackout and card in square and rectangle. This cartridge is perfect if you want to design a gift wrap, make a scrapbook, create a greetings card or cut out personalized invitations.

The following events and special occasions are included on the cartridge, baby showers, birthdays, graduation, weddings, mothers and fathers day, july 4th, valentines and so many more. Greeting cards are a great way to reach out to people and with this Beyond Birthdays cartridge you can create a personal card for any occasion you can think of and say whatever you want, sorry, congratulations or thanks!

There are so many different projects you can take on using the Beyond Birthdays cartridge. For example how about getting a simple and plain calender and using the cartridge to personalise it into a great desktop calender? Each month can have different signs and inspiring words on it and the main picture can relate to a person’s birthday that month. Don’t have any birthdays that month? How about a family picture or using the theme of your children. The possibility in designs is endless and it would also make a great Christmas gift.

Then once the calender has served its purpose take those decorated pictures and put them up somewhere. Or if you don’t have a desktop for a calender use it as notice board by pinning to cork. Great for tracking family appointments.

Alaska was purchased from the Russian Empire after Western Union discontinued construction of its first electric telegraph line which ran from California, up the coast of North America, across the Bering Strait, continuing to Moscow and into the European telegraph network. This happened 50 years ago, now Alaska is celebrating its 50 Anniversary of Statehood with an Alaska Fiber Festival

On March 5 to March 14 there will be a semi-annual 9 fiber extravaganzas. The festival will start off with a Quilt walk at the downtown area then will go from there. The Fiber festival is to celebrate the Alaskas 50th Anniversary of statehood.

With Alaska Fiber festival objective which is to provide greater visibility for quilts and other fiber art by offering various textile art events like non-juried & juried competitions as well as exhibitions. Educate the general public about fiber art & quilting as an art form & show the individual creativity of people in Alaska. Provide learning resources for people to learn new techniques or refine existing talents

Amazing International Fiber & Mixed Medias Exhibitors, exclusive Alaskan Challenges and Exhibits will be attending the festival. Besides from showing what the textiles artist can offer there will be a Wearable Arts Fashion Show then a Quilt & Fiber Art Show to show off their work of art. These artist are invited to join in celebrating Alaskas 50th Statehood Anniversary by making art blocks that will reflect the peoples spirit and nature in regards to the Anniversary.

After the 58 blocks that reflects Alaska peoples spirit and nature about becoming statehood have been done. Then these 58 blocks will make up the nine panels Alaska Statehood Quilt. There will be a total of 140 quilters in 26 communities making this quilt.

Once the panel has been made it will now go on tour. The panel will be displayed at the museums, libraries, and arts councils throughout Alaska. Anyone who has questions or wants to book the quilts needs to contact: Morgan Grey, Project Coordinator wilderhaven@gmail.com.