Miniature Folded Celebration Cake

Start with one square of thin colored paper. Use equal squares for the four units that form the cake's top and base.

Fold the square in half, fold it in half again, and reopen to mark the quarter divisions.

Bring the two opposite edges toward the center line.

Bring the shorter ends toward the middle to form a compact square packet.

Open the last folds. Fold the right section diagonally, reopen it, then repeat to the left to mark the crossed guide creases.

Open the upper pocket along its guide creases and flatten it into the broad flap shown.

Open and flatten the opposite end to form the elongated six-sided base.

Lift each corner pocket, open it, and flatten it into a small square. Repeat for all four corners.

Fold the edges of each small square inward along the marked diagonals, then reopen them to leave guide creases.

Fold the narrow sections inward along their guide lines so the surrounding points begin to lift.

Repeat around all four corners. Turn the piece over and fold the small corner tabs inward as shown.

Open the small triangular pocket at one edge and press its center downward with a fingertip.

Open and press the remaining small pockets to create the rounded decorative edge.

Make four units. Glue them together in offset pairs so each pair has eight alternating outer points.

Roll a paper strip into a cylinder. Choose a strip width matching the height of the triangular side tabs and glue the overlap.

Glue the lower tabs around one end of the cylinder. Attach the second paired unit at the opposite end in the same way.

Let the glue set, then add separately made paper stars, a paper candle, or other lightweight decorations.