Hexaflexagons!

Hexaflexagons are hexagonal folded bits of paper that can be inverted onto themselves to show multiple faces. Watch the video for more information, the reason this phenomenon happens is that the Hexaflexagons are a flattened out folded up Möbius strip. I had a go at this yesterday using patterns I found on the flexagon portal it’s quite simple.

I think these would make for some pretty cool business cards.

Vihart actually posts quite a lot of cool maths related videos, it’s worth checking them out.

Paper Roses Made From Book Pages How To

diy paper flowers

I’m of two minds on these roses, on the one hand they look awesome, on the other I’m not sure I agree with destroying books to make them… I’m not sure what it is about books that makes them sacred, but there is something about them that makes defiling them a cardinal sin. That said destroying a mass produced art work to create a unique one is okay isn’t it?

If you are Lazy you can just buy them on Etsy but I’ve copied the instructions here just in case the source link goes down for whatever reason.

diy paper flowers

Craft Supplies:
Paper
Grosgrain Ribbon, ½ Width cut to 4 inch lengths
16 Gauge Wire cut to 15 inch lengths
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks (low temp)
Scissors
Wire Cutters

Step 1: Gather materials. If you are using vintage books or sheet music as your paper source make sure it is still flexible enough to curl with your fingers. The wire can be found at the hardware store, and is sometimes called “black wire” or “annealed coil wire.” Be sure you are using low temp hot glue because you’ll be able to feel it right through the paper petals as you work.

diy paper flowers

Step 2: Cutting. You will need to stockpile at least 5 different sizes of petals ranging from about ¾ inch wide to 3 inches wide. I cut freehand, and avoid templates, so that each petal is a unique and organic shape. Think of the shapes as little church windows or arches. Some can be pointy, and some can be rounded. For each flower you will need at least 4 of each size. Make more than you need.

Step 3: Shaping. I really feel that this is the most important step to create natural and soft looking flowers. Roll the edges of each petal, and pinch the base slightly. Each one can be done a little differently to give the petals character and roundness. I shape all of my petals before I even begin gluing anything.

diy paper flowers

Step 4: Rolling the center. You need to cut out one more shape for each flower, and this is for the coiled center of the rose. This shape should be about 2 ½ inches long with a rounded tip. Roll it up into a tube to create its shape. Unroll it and run a bead of hot glue along the inside and re-roll it around the end of your wire. Another dot of glue will hold it in place.

Step 5: Attaching petals. Begin with your smallest petals. Use a single dot of glue, about ¼ inch from the bottom of the petal to attach it to the stem. Your next petal should overlap the first. Continue adding small petals, rotating the stem as you go, always slightly overlapping the last petal you attached. This is where your artistry will come in as you continue to rotate and build. As you begin adding larger petals pinch the bases, as they are much wider. By pinching at the bases you will be rounding out the rose, and creating space between layers.

Step 6: Finishing. The sepals will be made of ribbon, which will also cover your final seams and create a nice polished look. Each rose needs two – 4 inch lengths of ribbon. Wrap them around the stem and secure to the undersides of the petals. Cut a ‘V’ into each end of the ribbons to finish.

diy paper flowers

Via 100 Layer Cake