Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Review => Topic started by: nippy99 on March 08, 2012, 10:12:30 PM
Balloon Review 026 - HIGH PLAINS TWISTER BY STRETCH
A newcomer to the review section - Stretch the Balloon Dude. Stretch has a wide range of DVDs available from his website http://www.stretchc.com (http://www.stretchc.com) and cost $40 plus shipping. This DVD has 18 different models with a mix of Critters, Weapons and Cowboy accessories.
This DVD is shot from over the shoulder perspective and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. One nice touch is Stretch tells you the balloons you need at the start of each chapter as well as explains how much to inflate each one. You can then concentrate on making the models without worrying about the balloons.
At $40 this DVD carries a premium price tag so it will be interesting to see if it is worth it. As with my previous reviews I will be making the models in real-time and will share my views as I go along.
Enjoy!
ARMADILLO
An effective armadillo that is easy to make. The 260Q body is made up of tubes and the 160Q body is fed through inside. The pinch twists on the bottom of the body need to be small enough so the animal is able to stand freely. This one looks better in real life than it does on the DVD and in the photo below.
[attachment=0:v9pfic4s][/attachment]573-armadillo.jpg[/attachment:v9pfic4s]
BUFFALO
The buffalo has a nice body shape which could easily be adapted for other animals. The clever designs allows on unbroken 160Q to make the buffalo's beard and its mane. Due to the chunky design the buffalo is free standing.
[attachment=0:1hrru3np][/attachment]574-buffalo.jpg[/attachment:1hrru3np]
RIFLE
The boys are going to love this one. This rifle is really good and great fun. The strategic use of supporting pinch twists allows the barrel to stay in position even though Stretch does use a cheeky glue dot for extra support (although it isn't really necessary). I don't typically make guns for children but I will be using this one if I need to do a display piece.
[attachment=0:47jpoe1z][/attachment]582-rifle.jpg[/attachment:47jpoe1z]
Nippy,
Thanks for including Stretch in your reviews (I'm a big fan of your reviews by the way). Stretch has some great stuff. Just wanted to mention that the normal price of his DVDs are $40, however if you look on his FaceBook page (real name is Wendell Clendennen) he regularly runs a "starving artist" sale where you can pick up multiple DVD's for reduced rates. I just took advantage of one such sale and picked up 3 of his DVD's at $15 each. You good folks in the UK will still have some postage to pay but I think the discount will make up for it.
Thanks again for your reviews...please keep it up!
Michael
Thanks Michael for the info about Stretch's starving artist sales!! The next one starts on Wednesday, 14 March :D
Also Thanks so much to Nippy for the reviews!!
Lisa
COYOTE
I really haven't a clue what a Coyote looks like. This model is pretty much the standard balloon design but quick and easy to make.
[attachment=0:ej3bpcva][/attachment]575-coyote.jpg[/attachment:ej3bpcva]
HORSE
A rather odd looking horse. I may have made the snout bubble too long. If making this for line work I would leave out the black feet as it saves time and is equally as good.
[attachment=0:2g9nya96][/attachment]576-horse.jpg[/attachment:2g9nya96]
LONGHORN
This longhorn uses a heart of the nose and is quick to make. I especially like Stretch's technique and tip for making the white 160 long and soft enough to make the eyes and the horns. You will have to see the DVD to discover this!
[attachment=0:2jexd1x0][/attachment]577-longhorn.jpg[/attachment:2jexd1x0]
PISTOL
A single balloon six shooter pistol. Whilst this model does only use one balloon and I am not sure if it really passes as a pistol. A slight variation would give me some space ship from Star Wars. I think the multi-balloon weapons on this collection are better.
[attachment=0:2mxrc6p0][/attachment]579-pistol.jpg[/attachment:2mxrc6p0]
SHOTGUN
This is a really great shotgun. The instructions are a little unclear and you need to take care to follow the instructions precisely. The only thing I do not like about this design is it needs 6 or 7 glue dots (i used a tub of rubber cement) to hold it all together so it may be a little impractical for some. Saying that it is a nice chunky gun and boys will love it.
[attachment=0:wci2ggnq][/attachment]584-shotgun.jpg[/attachment:wci2ggnq]
RATTLESNAKE
A standard snake design that uses two rounds for the face. Sempertex hearts are preferred for the tongue as they have a longer neck. Stretch gives some helpful tips for shaping the snake body and this will be beneficial to those who can mouth inflate.
[attachment=0:1if98sqs][/attachment]578-rattlesnake.jpg[/attachment:1if98sqs]
SIX SHOOTER
The classic cowboy gun. I really like this design and Stretch has tried hard to make a decent barrel. Again the instructions are quite difficult to follow so you may need to rewind the DVD as few times. Really not practical for line or restaurant work due to the complexity and would be something you can make in advance.
[attachment=0:2nrc9wo8][/attachment]580-sixshooter.jpg[/attachment:2nrc9wo8]
Thank you for this review,
Barak
HOLSTER
This is a holster to compliment the six shooter already made. Whilst the one I made was a little unstable the best feature of this design is that the holster belt can be easily unclipped and refastened around the child's waist again. This is something that can be used for any design that needs to go around a child's body. Cool.
[attachment=0:1hmnsayt][/attachment]581-holster.jpg[/attachment:1hmnsayt]
BOW AND ARROW
A very simple bow and arrow - nothing new here but fast to make.
[attachment=0:3t4v9hpc][/attachment]585-bowarrow.jpg[/attachment:3t4v9hpc]
ARROW HAT
This hat is supposed to give the illusion of an arrow passing through the wearer's head. I suppose it would be better with a clear hat but I don't think it looks very good anyway.
[attachment=0:qzto8f1u][/attachment]583-arrowhat.jpg[/attachment:qzto8f1u]
Quote from: "nippy99"I don't think it looks very good anyway.
Stop sitting on that fence Darren :D Tell us what you really think!
It is honest though.
Ha ha - you should know me well enough by now that I speak my mind!
INDIAN FEATHER HAT
This hat has an interesting feature as Stretch makes a feather and encloses it inside a 350 clear balloon. I am not sure if this is entirely necessary but it does help to hold the feather together. The hat braid has a really nice combination of colours. In a strange way I quite like this one.
[attachment=0:1p6rawsv][/attachment]587-indianhat.jpg[/attachment:1p6rawsv]
COWBOY HAT
This is an oversized giant cowboy hat. The secret here is in the shaping of the hat brim. I am not sure I have it quite right but even so this hat is quick to make and children will enjoy wearing it.
[attachment=0:2qnbtzk3][/attachment]586-cowboyhat.jpg[/attachment:2qnbtzk3]
SHERIFF'S BADGE
This sheriff's badge can easily be used as a star as well. Made from 160s it is very easy to make except the pinch twists on the end of each star point have a habit of coming untwisted as it is being made. I should have taken more care in sizing each bubble accurately as Stretch's version is so much better. Something to try next time.
[attachment=0:2rpraruj][/attachment]588-sheriffsbadge.jpg[/attachment:2rpraruj]
STICK HORSE
A great riding horse, very quick to make and not too difficult for line or restaurant work if time allows. The head design could be adapted to make any variety of animal. There is another version of this horse which I haven't made where is basically extends the neck to make a ring for a child to wear this around their waist.
[attachment=0:w5kjhddn][/attachment]590-stickhorse.jpg[/attachment:w5kjhddn]
BEER MUG
To celebrate the completion of review #26, I have treated myself to a nice cold glass of beer! This glass is made from a weave and I think the overall result is pleasing and effective.
[attachment=0:onk5d9lt][/attachment]589-beermug.jpg[/attachment:onk5d9lt]
SUMMARY
This DVD has a good selection of designs. Some are very strong, others leave me disappointed. The animals are standard but I really liked the weapons even though some glue was required to complete the designs. Stretch explains each model well and it helps knowing at the start of each video segment the various balloons you will need. Some of the smaller weapons were a little tricky to follow but on the whole the instruction is better than most.
The $40 price tag seems a little steep which prevents me from scoring this as high as I would have liked. My advice is look out for a special Stretch sale offer and buy this is there are specific models you want.