April Competition (Rabbit)

Started by Graham Lee, March 28, 2017, 07:53:39 PM

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Graham Lee

This months competition design is the Easter Rabbit.

The original design was shown at the Manchester Care & Share day by Daniel McCullough.
This is my version of Daniel's design, thanks to Daniel for letting me use the design for this months competition.

Daniel made the design with a 12" quick link and added the tail onto the design.
I have used a 6" quick link and used the link part of the balloon as the tail.
There is also a slight variation on the head construction.

BUT the design inspiration is all from Daniel, this is Daniels original picture for the design.
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Graham Lee

#1
A few variations on the rabbit I made yesterday.
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Graham Lee

#2
And then a few more today, still deciding what one to make into the model of the month.
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Graham Lee

#3
I have decided to go with the rabbit in a basket as it's Easter time.
It was decisions, decisions and I'm sure you can add a carrot or two if needed.

There is a spare black in the complimentary pack so will be enough for a black nose
or you can add rose or pink if you prefer, that is what is good about this balloon
modelling malarkey, there is no right way or wrong way to get to the design.

The packs will be sent out with all orders for April and if you post your rabbit then you
will go into the draw to win a balloon modelling DVD.

If you do not purchase from us then no problem, please still have a go at making the
rabbit and posting your entry for other to see...................Thanks.

Especially if it's a variation on a theme, I will post the step by step instructions up shortly.
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Graham Lee

#4
Inflate the link of the quick link, just put a small amount of air in the 6" quick link,
then push the air into the link section, you need approx. 3 finger length with a half of a finger tip.

Put a knot between the link and the balloon.

Before inflating the quick link you need to make a raisin,
this is a scrap of balloon with one or two knots tied into the scrap.
There is a thread here with it explained, raisin-twist-t1096.html

Inflate the 6" quick link with four strokes of the pump, I used the old Qualatex purple pump.
If you use the new green pump you will need to let a little air out.

The raisin is on the left, this goes inside the balloon,
the scrap to tie the raisin to the outside of the balloon is on the right.

The raisin inside the balloon needs to be approx. 4 fingers away from the knot.
You do have to feel for the raisin inside the balloon and sometimes holding this up to the light helps.
Once you have hold of the raisin through the balloon you use the 160 scrap to tie the quick link around the raisin.
For the first few goes it might help to have someone else help you tie
the raisin in but you will get the hang of this after a few goes.
Please do not give up, if it's a new technique for you.
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Graham Lee

#5
Inflate the white 160 leaving approx. 6/7 fingers un-inflated.

Make two 1.5 finger pinch twist bubbles, then make a 2 finger bubble.
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Graham Lee

#6
Make the 2 finger bubble into a pinch twist for the lower section of the mouth.

Make a 5 finger bubble followed by a 2 finger pinch twist.

Then another 5 finger bubble back to the mouth section.
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Graham Lee

#7
The bubble for the top of the head needs to be slightly longer than a 5 finger bubble
to give you the arch look so the eyes fit in easier later.

Then make an 8 finger bubble for the first ear and then another 8 finger bubble for the other ear.

Discard the rest of the balloon.
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Graham Lee

#8
The raisin twist is wrapped into the back of the 2 finger pinch twist at the back of the head.

Then the know of the quick link is wrapped around the mouth section tightly.
I then like to take the knot and stretch it really tight around the 2 finger pinch
twist at the back of the head to make the head section more rounded looking.

You then need a 3 finger bubble for the eyes and a 1 finger bubble for the nose of the rabbit.
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Graham Lee

#9
Twist the 3 finger bubble in half and tie loosely, insert this into the head section.
You can make the eyes into two soft pinch twists if you prefer that look.

Tie the 1 finger bubble loosely as well for the nose and attach.
If you tie too tightly it will look more like a pinch twist and the wrong shape for the nose.

The tail section you need two 1 finger bubbles.
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Graham Lee

#10
Twist these into two pinch twists so the tail sits upwards.
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Graham Lee

#11
The basket is two 160 balloons, inflate the first one leaving a 3 finger un-inflated section.

Twist two 1 finger bubbles and twist these into pinch twists.

The second 160 inflate fully and let some air out to make it softer.
(I actually leave a 2 finger un-inflated section and then squeeze the air along the 160 balloon)
It's one of my pet hates burping a balloon.

Split the second 160 in half and twist around the two pinch twists on the first balloon.
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Graham Lee

#12
You then have to plait the balloon.
I like to use the longer balloon as the centre starting point.

Plait all the way to the end and twist all three balloon together.
Leave approx. a 1 finger bubble in the balloon with no knot.
The knotted balloon I deflate this and tie back up.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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Graham Lee

#13
Twist both the ends of the 160's together securely.

The handle section of the 160
you need a 1 finger pinch twist made a 1 finger length back from the end of the balloon.

Twist the pinch twist into the opposite side of the basket to a top loop of the basket.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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Graham Lee

#14
I have tied the top section of the basket just for taking the picture.

You twist the pinch twists for the tail of the rabbit into this section.

With a slight adjustment it should look a little like the last picture.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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