Is there a more hopeful sight than a cherry tree bursting into pink? With just a square of pink paper you can capture that spring feeling on your desk — no waiting for April required. This fold builds a soft, five-petal blossom complete with its own little branch, and once you have made one you will want a whole tree's worth.

It looks intricate, but each step is a small, friendly move: a pocket here, a reverse fold there, and suddenly the petals start to cup outward like the real thing. Grab a few sheets, maybe in different pinks, and by the time you are done your wall will think it is spring.

Folding Instructions

STEP 1. Fold the pink origami paper diagonally into a triangle.

STEP 2. Fold it in half to make this shape.

STEP 3. Open the pocket section and fold it. Repeat the same on the back side.

STEP 4. First fold so the blue line meets the red line. Then fold the top triangle downward. After folding, unfold and return it to the original position.

STEP 5. Flip it from bottom to top and fold along the crease you just made.

STEP 6. It will take this shape. Fold the back side the same way.

STEP 7. Fold to make a crease so the two sides line up evenly.

STEP 8. Open the paper and fold it inward along the crease you just made. Do the same on the back.

STEP 9. Fold the top portion down.

STEP 10. Fold the other two sections the same way as steps 7 and 8, and you will get this pentagon.

STEP 11. Fold so the blue line meets the red line. Repeat on the back side.

STEP 12. Fold one petal forward.

STEP 13. When the remaining petals are also folded outward...

STEP 14. Your cherry blossom is complete!

STEP 15. Next, make a branch. Take brown origami paper, fold it in half to crease it, then align the blue line with the crease (red line) you just made and fold.

STEP 16. Fold it in half.

STEP 17. Fold along the dotted line. This completes the branch!

STEP 18. Attach it to the cherry blossom. Painting the center of the flower yellow makes it look even more like a cherry blossom.

Fold many of them and stick them on the wall to fill your room with a springtime atmosphere!

Tips When Folding

When making lots of branches, vary the folding angle in the next step to create some variety.