Balloon Review 099 - Turkey Time by CJ Nelson

Available from Balloon Parade priced $5 -http://www.thetwisterscookbook.com

This is the first video download from the new venture by balloonchat member CJ Nelson. Always nice to see a newcomer to the balloon instructions market.

This download is for two Turkey designs. One made mainly from 260Qs and the other one upscaled using 646Qs.

To start the site is easy to navigate and the process to download the videos is easy. This set comes supplied as two video files which can be played back in the normal way on your PC. The video quality is fine but the lighting needs a little adjusting. This doesn't detract from the excellent tutorial, handy tips and the enjoyable experience to be had from making these. Bubble sizes are generally given in finger sizes and everything explained step by step.

So let's see what we have here.

Balloon Review 098 - Shirley Ray Volume 3 DVD

Available from Balloon Parade priced £35 - http://homepage.ntlworld.com/balloonparade/

When I first started balloon modelling by first step beyond the basic 260Q single balloon models was the work of Shirley. I absolutely love her designs and have used them extensively in my professional work. Some of the designs on this DVD now look a little dated but even so there are still some gems to be discovered.

As before, Shirley's instructions are first rate. All sizes are given in finger lengths and her explanations are easy to follow. The DVD quality is good and each model can be accessed via the front menu.

Let's see what we have here....

I was asked to make a pirate for my party today and really didn't have a clue what to do so I made a pirate lootle. It was instantly recognised and I thought looked nice as part of my display.

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Balloon Review 097 - Balloon Magic Magazine #73

Priced $7 from the usual supplier.

Another edition of balloon magic magazine.

Let's see what we have here.....

Balloon Review 096 : Little Monkey by Buster Balloon Video Download

Available from http://www.balloon-animals.com
Priced $5

This video is available to download or stream on-line. As usual Buster's video instructions are of excellent quality. The production is high and the instructions are very clear and concise.

Let's see what we have here...

Balloon Review 095 : Fantastic Females by Ken Stillman DVD

Available from http://www.balloonmaster.com and via balloonclick.com

Priced $24.95 (special pre-release price)

This DVD is available to purchase and will also be released in smaller sections via the www.balloonclick.com website over the coming months.

Let's see what we have here...

Balloon Review 094 : Wowables Volume 2 Party Poppers by Barak Dagan DVD

Available from http://www.balloonart.co.il/shop

Priced $34.95 including free international shipping

This DVD was supplied free-of-charge for review purposes, however, my reviews unbiased and impartial as always.

Let's see what we have here...

I've had some time today to play with parrots and I am quite pleased having taking Uwe's wings and added the Patrick body... what do you think?

It is so hard to take a good photo - it looks much better in real life...

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Balloon Review 093 : The Lion PDF by Cashmagic Balloonchat Member

Available from http://www.cashmagicballoons.co.uk priced £8

This PDF was supplied free-of-charge for review purposes, however, my reviews unbiased and impartial as always.

Let's see what we have here...

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Balloon Review 092 : Tricks and Treats Video Download by Buster Balloon

Available via http://www.balloon-animals.com priced $20

Any release from Buster Balloon generates plenty of excitement in anticipation of some wonderful designs. It is well known that Buster loves Halloween from his previous DVD releases and with the instant download advantage of the internet it meant I got my hands on this one in plenty of time for the 31st October.

As with all balloon-animals.com videos, the production quality is extremely good. Buster is an excellent teacher and his videos are very entertaining. This collection of designs is accessible to all twisters and not as advanced as some of Buster's previous releases.

Let's see what we have here...........

Recently I have been wrapping up my designs in an effort to command a higher price. It works a treat and is highly recommended...

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Balloon Review 091 : Hello Kitty by Justin Reams PDF

Available via paypal to mailto:Justin_reams@hotmail.com">Justin_reams@hotmail.com  priced $6

I've been looking for a large Hello Kitty for some time that would be fairly quick to make and look nice as a delivery piece. This design fits the bill perfectly.

To start the instructions are very well laid out. Plenty of photos and the actual bubble sizes are written on the balloons themselves. The head design is wonderful and attaching the ears avoids any nasty sidewall bubbles or raisins. The artwork is simplistic yet effective.

The dress is a simple weave and changing the colours gives plenty of variations.

I really like this one - it hangs together well and I have sold a fair few already!

A worthy investment.

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Dear All,

Ken has announced the release of a new double DVD called Fantastic Females at an incredible pre-order price of $25 (if ordered before 10th October) - Ken also says that these will be released to the balloonclick.com community at some point over the coming months.

http://balloonmaster.com/supergals.html

Balloon Review 090 : Flying Parrot by Uwe Hoffman PDF

Available from http://captnballoon.wordpress.com/shop- ... tutorials/ priced 4 euros

This PDF is not widely advertised but I spotted Uwe's page on facebook and purchased his parrot PDF for only 4 EUROS. To date I have thoroughly enjoyed making Patrick Van De Ven's incredible bird designs and was interested in this PDF for the pair of 'in-flight' parrot wings.

The PDF itself is very well written. There are plenty of colour photos and the instructions give accurate measurements in metric and imperial! The text is written in english and german. The bird head and body are simplistic. The wings themselves are time consuming and require accurate bubble sizes. The pinch twists on the tips of the wings must be very soft so you can split them into double pinch twists. The nature of the design allows them to be posed in anyway you fancy.

The end result is very impressive. The issue I had was the bird didn't stand up on it's own and really needs a display stand so I made one using a water filled geo. I also added an additional tail and fastened it through the hole of the geo. Viewed from the front and the back it just looks like a single tail feather.

A really nice design and very affordable at only 4 euros. When I have some time I will try adding these wings to my favourite Patrick parrot body.

A great first PDF (I assume it is Uwe's first as I haven't seen any others) and I will certainly be keeping a look out for any of his other work.

Highly recommended.

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Balloon Review 089 : Bird Brained Balloons by Jeff Hayes DVD

Available from http://www.tmyers.com priced $45

Jeff Hayes is new to the balloon review section and I am unfamiliar with his work. This DVD is dedicated to bird designs. There are many bird designs on the market so it will be interesting to see if this one has anything different.

The DVD is very well made, High quality video, easy to follow instructions with each model indexed by chapter.

Let's see what we have here....

Balloon Review 087 - Tubby Turtle by Matt Falloon

Available from http://www.balloon-animals.com/catalog price $5 as a instant download.

The second release by Matt and this one is a very cute tubby turtle. Perfect as a standalone item or brilliant mounted on a headband. Some of you may find this one a little challenging as you need to twist two lobes in each heart to make the body but the rest of it is straightforward.

The body is a concept that can be used for a multitude of creations.

Matt's instructions are excellent, very clear and precise. Sometimes the video backdrop adds a little confusion but that is a very minor point - worthy of anyone's investment.

Roll on Wallace and Gromit please!!

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Balloon Review 086 - Monkey by Sam Cremeens

Available from http://www.balloon-animals.com/catalog price $5 as a instant download.

Most people will know Sam from his wonderful work with the Balloon Blast Video Show but he is also an expert at producing video instructions. This monkey design is a masterpiece and exceptional good value for money at only $5. Sam is a very good teacher, the video is clear and the instructions precise.

This design has many other possibilities especially the face. Easily adapted to other characters. The monkey sits really well and is cute and cuddly. I wrapped up my one to make a nice delivery piece.

Sam's banana and hands are lovely and it makes a change to make a banana that is quick and easy yet effective.

Highly recommend. Please purchase it if only to support Sam for his work with Balloon Blast.

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I've had a bit of demand recently for personalised football players using the basic Lootle design. I actually didn't think they were that good but so many people are asking for them for football awards, birthdays etc. I am charging £10 each for a wrapped up one. They take around 15mins each.

For the Arsenal one I printed off the club logo and stuck it on the shirt.

You should give them a try!

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In my usual way of leaving things until the last minute, I wanted to get some A5 flyers made for an event this weekend. I have plenty of magic advertising material but wanted something purely for balloons. It's not perfect but I am happy with it. I ordered 5000 today so it better be OK  :roll:

I welcome your thoughts....

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Balloon Review 084 : Cheshire Cat by Dylan Gelinas PDF

Available from http://www.slightlytwistedballoons.com priced $13

This design is a wonderful challenge. Be prepared as it is fairly time consuming and uses a lot of balloons but I think the end result is worth it. The head itself is nice and easy once you have mastered the side wall bubble in the 260Q. The body and the tail is made up of many balloon loops alternating in colour. Some time is needed here to get a nice body and tail shape. After a while you can switch off from the instructions and just keep going!

The only real struggle I had was getting the tail to curve nicely and to hide the many pinch twists.

The cat's feet/legs are awesome. Really well constructed.

This is the best Cheshire Cat I have seen. It's large and has plenty of character. Probably one I will save for special occasions or when I do an Alice in Wonderland themed decoration piece or party.

Well worth a purchase.

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