Flora and Florigami

I'll be perfectly honest, I suck at origami and kirigami.  I tried, believe me, but it's very hard for me to figure out how to fold paper based upon an illustration.  I can't tell what direction the arrows are really indicating at all.  As a result, I don't know how to make pretty paper swans or lovely cut snowflakes. If it is just one or two folds, I'm fine but the real complex designs elude my abilities.

A couple weeks ago I happened past a little yard sale in town and got a couple of $1 movies, and this tiny Florigami kit for .50.  Let's face it, I may be a failure at the fine art of paper folding and cutting, but I cannot resist sparkly paper.  Even if they never get used for their folding/cutting purpose, I can always use the paper for something.

Inside I found pretty papers, instruction book and a pair of wee scissors, which really don't work so I tossed them.  The instructions introduced a very basic and easy folding technique.  All I had to do was look at the pattern in the book and draw it onto my folded triangle paper, and cut.

I'm very pleased with the results!

But I'm still scared to try anything more complex.

My yard continues to surprise me with the beautiful flowers! I don't remember these last year at all, but then again this time last year I was so busy unpacking and setting up the house during all of July that I guess I never noticed!

Sadly the birds got to the berries before I could pick a few.

I wonder how long it took this snail to climb up the tree and out to this leaf?  We have a lot of snails around in the yard, and some are even stuck on the side of the house.  I don't mind them.

Queen Anne's Lace about to open

And already opened.

Grasshoppah

Pokeberry bush came back! I didn't think it would after last year's storm damage.