Money Folding: Making Banknotes into Gifts You Can Spend

July 08

Everybody loves money, and giving it as a gift means that the recipient can buy whatever they like with it, instead of wondering what to do with another jar or bath salts or garish pair of socks. But however delightful it is, it fails to look very interesting when placed alongside all those beautifully wrapped gifts, whatever horrors they might contain. Here is a book showing you how to make banknotes look exciting.

There is origami involved, as you have probably guessed, but it is of a simple enough nature to be accessible to papercrafters who have never done any before. The notes are folded into various ingenious shapes to be displayed on cards, aided and abetted by some simple papercraft techniques that mainly involve cutting and sticking. Cards are grouped under headings such as For Him, For Her, Kids Corner and Congratulations as well as the usual Search Press sections on what you need, learning the symbols and some basic techniques. Themes covered include a car, shirt, fan, lantern, parasol and flowers. Not all are flat or for cards - there is heart that fits around a bottle, a lovely bouquet of roses, lotus flowers for floating down a table and even a wee wallet. Banknotes from many different counties are shown, and of course even if you aren't giving money you can fold any papers into these shapes to make the same items. Fun, original and easy to understand for anybody who can follow a series of simple paper-folding diagrams.

Aug 08

Giving money as a gift is a thoughtful way to show a loved one you care, but wouldn't it be nice to present it in a more unusual way than in the traditional card and envelope? This intriguing book by Jannie van Schuylenburg-Dekker shows you how to fold ordinary bank notes into odd trinkets such as cars, hats, flowers and an amusing money monster designed for children. What's more, the gift can eventually be taken apart and the money spent!

Apr 10

It's lovely to give money as a birthday gift, but sometimes we run out of ways to present it. Thankfully, this little book is packed with 21 great ways to fold money into cool shapes on your cards. You can make fun mini lantern shapes for kids, a beautiful 3D lotus flower for a feminine look, or even a sporty car for your man. If you like the designs but don't want to give cash, you can replace the folded notes with colourful origami paper to make fun dimensional cards. Clever!