I will be bringing back with me around 13 copies of the new DVD that has just been released at Diamond Jam with
around 12 of the world's top balloon artistes giving of there time freely to help David's family.
From memory as I don't have the DVD in front of me we have,
Ken Stillman
Bidou
Royal Sorrel
Colin Myles
Rie Hosokai
Ralph Dewey
Ed Chee

and a few more, some have contributed one or two designs and I've yet to view but I'm sure it will be an excellent DVD. The cost will be £25, so if you would like a copy please add your name here and I'll send them out when I get back. If I have any left I will put them on the site http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk but I'm expecting them to sell out ASAP.
I will add the other artistes to the above list when I get it from my room later.

***SPECIAL OFFER***

We have just up-dated the news page with a special discount offer on David's DVD's.
Until I return from America we will also be offering a special deal to all balloon chat forum members.
Any DVD will be only £15 with the full set at £110, this is £5 off every DVD and £40 off the full set price.

There will be an added postage charge of £1 for each DVD ordered.
If you would like to take advantage of this special deal please put your name down here and what volume you require
and I will post them out to you after 28th Aug when I get back from America.

Here is the challenge for this month, the racing car. Fingers crossed that a few will have a go and I'll post the instructions when I get back from diamond jam at the end of the month.

As a little pointer there are two balloons in the main body of the car

Yvonne,
Hope the children are behaving themselves on this your special day    Happy Birthday x

Gerry has kindly agreed to do the interview for us all on the forum, just sorting out a convenient date etc.
Gerry is probably the UK's answer to Ralph Dewey in America, he has been around a very long time in the balloon world  
And has seen many changes and it's growth over the years, he is very knowledgeable on all things related to balloon's,
in fact a mind of information on the subject and has brought out many books on the subject over the years.
He was also the person to design and help me with the spitfire on the portfolio/gallery page on my website.
If you look closely you will see we named it GL2

Have been in touch with Ken and can now confirm that he will be coming over next year to do;
"The David Grist Memorial Lecture"
Will be seeing Ken next week at Diamond jam and will confirm up dates etc.
I'm really pleased and chuffed about this as David & Ken we're very good friends  

I have just changed printers and have some for an epsom rx500 (6) and was just wondering if anyone else has this model and would like the cartridges?

Janice has very kindly agreed to do the interview for us on balloon chat, we are just sorting out the best time as she is busy with work commitments and will also be going to diamond jam and balloon camp in the USA.

This is Janice's portfolio/website, http://balloonsbyjanice.balloonhq.com/
she has some wonderful fantasy flowers on there  

Thelma and I were up London all day yesterday for a very long day photo shoot for the magazine "Esquire" which is for there October edition that will be out on Sept 14th.
It's for the autumn clothes collection and will be a 9 page spread with balloons on every page  
It was a great day and they really looked after us both with breakfast, snacks, drinks, lunch etc etc and even strawberries and cream. We have seen some of the shots and are both really looking forward to seeing the final layout.
They also shot a two minute DVD that will be going onto there website with instructions and links on how to make a balloon model, so hopefully some good publicity all around.
We have plenty of pictures to re-size and up load but I'll wait till Thelma posts some and then add the odd one or two from the day.

We struggled making a realistic foot, so it's back to the drawing board.

Thelma and I are still working away for the photo shoot tomorrow, we're now onto shoes;

I had no work today so for the first time since....well since I can remember Lyn and I went out on a Sunday.
We went to Frensham Ponds near Farnham in Surrey, it's a big lake with a couple of beaches which we assume are man made?
We went for a nice walk around the lake which took about an hour and was very pleasent with some lovely views and scenery, as per the attached pictures  
We then found a really lovely little coffee shop and had a coffee and cake. We have been wanting to see a film that has been out for about six weeks called "Telstar" but it is only on at selected cinemas and we have not been able to make it when the film has been local. It was on in Brentford tonight so we went over to see it, it was brilliant and if you get the chance it's a good night out. So all in all a lovely day as I did have a few hours to make a couple more balloon heads.

Have you ever looked at a fern close up? As the frond as it uncurls is amazing, well worth taking your time to view.
Well it made me happy.

Thelma and I have a job next week which requires a few different looking faces, so we have been playing around tonight.

Ida is celebrating her birthday, so have a happy day  
And this was the reason that Ida decided on today being the start of her interview week on the forum.
So the first question is, are you really 21 !!!

The interview can be viewed here; viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1693

Glenda wishing you a happy time  

Wishing you a lovely relaxed day without too much stress, have fun  

The other day I was looking through the site and realised that we have slightly neglected the balloon chat challenge section  

So I've made an excecutive decision and Thelma has kindly offered to take this on for us  
So a new challenge will be on the way very soon, so please join in and have a go as the forum is only as good as the members who post and join in. So come on all you lurkers    get posting

Here is Thelma's first challenge; viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1716

My wife Lyn who helps out at the majority of the days over the last three years finally got so fed up she decided to join us and stated to twist. This is her first attempt at the one balloon bike that I will be showing next week at the Levett & Lee Roadshow.

Some good publicity on the front page of your local paper;
http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/Faces-062809

Some details that Jeremy who helps run the event has sent over, this is normally a really nice day out with plenty for everyone. Thelma, Lyn and I will be there jamming away all day in the foyer  

Kidology UK 2009 will again be held at the Civic and Wulfrun Halls in Wolverhampton, on Tuesday, September 8th 2009. 4 lectures (details below) and 14 dealers with all the latest in children's entertainment. Registration price is £35.00 per person and includes a buffet lunch. Registration allows access to all events.  
 
You can register at http://www.practical-magic.com
 
Ali Cardabra – Walk Around Magic for Children
Ali Cardabra was about seven years old when he started his lifelong interest in magic and puppetry. As well as performing, he has created and manufactured magical props for many dealers, including Ken Brooke, international Magic, Repro Magic, Kovari and Practical Magic.
Ali Cardabra's first lecture was for Ron Macmillan's International Day of Magic at the Empire Rooms, Tottenham Court Road, London in 1986. He has continued to produce routines and effects for magic magazines including Info, Magigram, Repro '71, Abra and Linking Ring up to the present day.
He has lectured and performed on seven Repro Magic cruises as well as lecturing on magic all over the UK and across the globe. Ali lectured at the very first Kidology UK Convention in 2004 and, such is the wealth of his ideas, he is the first person to be reinvited.
 
Derek Lever – Children's Magic Props Through the Ages
Derek is the organiser of the world's biggest magical convention – the Blackpool Convention -an event which is renowned wherever magic is performed. This event annually attracts 3500 registrants. Derek also runs a magical dealership called Taurus Magic, which these days specialises in second hand props. As such, he has unrivalled access to the unusual, the bizarre and the fascinating. He has written books on the magic of the legendary Jack Hughes, and many will  have seen his superb lecture on the man and his magic. At Kidology UK 2009, Derek will be dipping into the past to show some of those unusual, bizarre and fascinating items which were created for the entertainment of children.
 
Michael Diamond – Halloween Magic
Michael is in his twenty first year as a professional magician. He had his own family magic show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach for three years. He was also the highest paid children's entertainer EVER when working for Pontins for over 10 years – organising all the children's entertainment for all the Pontins' centres. Michael has lectured extensively including at the BMS and the Magic Circle. For Kidology UK 2009, Michael will be lecturing on Halloween Magic (perfect timing!) and will include adapting standard effects, original children's effects, themed games and props and even room decoration.
 
Michael Fitch – Kids' Cabaret
Award winning magician and star of Channel 4's brilliant 'Freaky Magic', Michael J. Fitch is one of Britain's most exciting magicians and a fast-rising star in the field of entertainment for children.
 
Michael started magic at the age of 4 and has not looked back since. Having already had various television appearances and his own sell-out Theatre shows and with much more to come, it is no wonder he is in such high demand.
After working all over the United Kingdom and throughout the World he has recently performed in front of Her Royal Highness, Her Majesty The Queen.
He brings a street-wise cool image to the world of magic with his Harry Potter style Children's show and his outstanding close up magic and cabaret for adults. To add to his impressive credentials, Michael won the International Children's Entertainer title at this year's Blackpool convention.