How To Make Water Lily With Paper

Let's be honest. You've seen those intricate paper water lilies. They're pretty, right?

But have you ever actually tried to make one?

The Origami Illusion

Origami, the art of paper folding, seems deceptively simple. YouTube makes it look so easy. Reality? Not so much.

My unpopular opinion: Most origami tutorials are lies. Or at least, heavily edited and sped up.

They make it seem like you just fold a few times. Boom! Instant swan. In my experience, it's more like crumple, swear, repeat.

Our Quest for a Paper Lily

So, we're tackling a paper water lily. Don't worry, we're not aiming for perfection. We're aiming for "recognizable."

First, grab some paper. Any paper will do. But I recommend something slightly thicker than printer paper. It holds its shape better when you inevitably crease it too hard.

I used scrapbook paper with a floral print. Because irony.

Start by cutting out a circle. The bigger the circle, the bigger the lily. Math! (Just kidding, eyeball it).

Now comes the folding. Fold the circle in half. Then in half again. And again. We're making a paper pizza.

This is where the "fun" begins. Unfold the last fold, so you have a quarter circle. See that center point? That's the key.

Fold one edge of the quarter circle to that center point. Do the same with the other edge. You should now have something that resembles a slightly sad paper airplane.

Repeat this folding process all the way around the original circle. This is the repetitive strain injury part of the program.

Once you've folded all the edges, you should have a vaguely flower-shaped thing. It probably looks more like a crumpled paper star. That's okay.

Now for the "petals." Gently pull up each of the folded flaps. Try not to rip them. This requires patience. And possibly a small glass of wine.

Keep pulling up and shaping the petals. This is where you can get creative (and hide your mistakes).

If a petal rips, don't panic. Just glue it back. Or strategically cover it with another petal. Nobody will notice (probably).

The Glorious Result (Maybe)

Congratulations! You've (hopefully) created a paper water lily. Or at least, a vaguely floral-looking paper object.

Does it look like the picture on the tutorial? Probably not. Does it matter?

Embrace the imperfections. It's handmade! It's unique! It's a testament to your perseverance (or lack thereof).

My final, and perhaps most controversial opinion: Imperfect crafts are the best crafts. They have character. They tell a story. They prove you're human (and slightly clumsy).

Now go forth and create! And don't forget to share your creations. Even the disasters. Especially the disasters.

Because let's face it, we're all in this together. The quest for the perfect paper water lily. A quest that may never truly end.

But at least we have paper. And glue. And wine.

Happy crafting, friends!

Remember practice makes perfect, but fun makes memories.