Balloon Review #50 : Rodents, Rabbits and Reptiles by Tonya McNeill

Available from Tonya direct (later available on balloonjam.com) priced $20

I am always excited to hear when Tonya has released a new collection of designs. This is a collection of ten models. The instructions are delivered via email in PDF format. The instructions themselves are very well explained, there are plenty of photos and the step-by-step instructions include bubble sizes measured in inches.

Having tried out a few models, this collection is not for complete beginners. Some of the designs are fairly intricate and require exact bubble sizing.

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

HAMSTER SITTING

KIT LIST : 160Q WHITE / 160Q MOCHA BROWN / 160Q PINK / 260Q WHITE

This hamster design is very cute. In this pose the hamster is sitting but really looks like it is laying down. The head design is really good but you will need soft bubbles and ensure all bubbles are accurately sized otherwise you will run out of balloon. I must admit I did make this one a few times just to get it looking the best but there is still a little way to go before it looks as nice as Tonya's. It reminds me a little of Graham's own bunny design but this one is certainly more complicated. The fact the majority of the design is made in 160s it makes it extra cute. Would be interesting to see what it looks like with larger balloons.

Not sure I could make this for line work, perhaps suitable for restaurants once I had perfected it.

[attachment=0:397nb319][/attachment]799-hamster-sitting.jpg[/attachment:397nb319]

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HAMSTER STANDING

KIT LIST : 260Q BLUSH / 160Q BLUSH / 160Q MOCHA / 160Q ROSE

This hamster design is adorable. My photo doesn't do it justice but you only have to look at Tonya's photo in her instructions to really see the potential of this design. I hope Tonya doesn't mind but I have included a photo of her finished design below. This design isn't that hard to make BUT it is hard to make it look really super cute. Plenty of practice required and careful bubble sizing. This is a really strong design.

Tonya's finished version...

[attachment=1:1nzgs82j][/attachment]hamster-tonya.jpg[/attachment:1nzgs82j]

My attempt.... Hmmm.... I will blame the angle of my camera!

[attachment=0:1nzgs82j][/attachment]hamster-standing.jpg[/attachment:1nzgs82j]

MOUSE

KIT LIST : 160Q MOCHA / GOLDENROD 5" ROUND / 160Q BLACK / 160Q GOLDENROD

A lovely mouse sitting inside a piece of round cheese. A lovely mouse head and body design with a really novel way of attaching it to the cheese. I just love a nice deep marriage twist in the round balloon. A little painful on the fingers but I am used to it now. Easy artwork can be added to the cheese. Very nice - lots of potential.

[attachment=0:19f0d0s1][/attachment]mousecheese.jpg[/attachment:19f0d0s1]

BUNNY STANDING

KIT LIST : 260Q WHITE / 160Q WHITE / 160Q ROSE / 160Q ORANGE / 260Q WINTERGREEN

A variation on the heads we have seen before and you have a nice rabbit. This rabbit sits upright on its own and can hold an optional carrot. As before bubble sizes are critical. Tonya's method of making a carrot is new to me and I really like it. Very clever.

[attachment=0:2xc6dd49][/attachment]rabbit.jpg[/attachment:2xc6dd49]

BUNNY LAYING

KIT LIST : 160Q WHITE / 160Q PINK

A complex looking bunny made from a single 160Q white. This means that every bubble needs to be carefully sized to ensure you have enough balloon to complete it. I prefer the upright bunny myself but a useful model.

[attachment=0:12t9tadg][/attachment]bunnylaying.jpg[/attachment:12t9tadg]

LITTLE MOUSE

KIT LIST : 160 GREY / 160 BLACK

Another effective design using a single grey 160 balloons for the body and the head. As before sizing is critical here. Similar in structure to the previous rabbit but with some tweaks.

[attachment=0:3l0hd92q][/attachment]804-littlemouse.jpg[/attachment:3l0hd92q]

MOUSE IN CHEESE

KIT LIST : 260Q GREY / 160Q GREY / 160Q BLACK / 160Q PINK / 6" YELLOW GEO

Another variation of a mouse in a cheese but this one is so much cuter. A wonderful design but more complicated in its design. Quite a tough set of instructions but there are plenty of photos to guide you along. A really nice design. A solid colour for the base would have been better.

[attachment=0:207ncpp0][/attachment]mousecheese.jpg[/attachment:207ncpp0]

SMALL COBRA

KIT LIST : 160Q BLACK / 160Q YELLOW / 160Q RED

This one is a small cobra with an interesting mini flat weave for the body. This one is a little tricky to make stand up on its own as it is top heavy so I used a small coin under his body! This is a nice design but it is probably my least favourite from this collection.

[attachment=0:29jtlmj4][/attachment]cobra.jpg[/attachment:29jtlmj4]

LARGE COBRA

KIT LIST : 6" BLACK HEARTS / 260Q BLACK / 260Q YELLOW / 260Q RED

I much prefer this larger cobra incorporating two black hearts. The lobe twisting will be fun to beginners but this one is impressive. It will be interesting to play with colours for different designs.

[attachment=0:1il0yg4i][/attachment]largecobra.jpg[/attachment:1il0yg4i]

SMALL DRAGON

KIT LIST : 160Q WILDBERRY / 160Q GOLDENROD / 5" ROUND GOLDENROD

For those of you who are observant, you will spot I didn't use wildberry! This dragon is super cute and great to make with 160Qs. I have over inflated the goldenrod round tummy and the lower lip of the mouth popped before I took the photo but it gives you some idea of what it is like.

Again, bubble sizing is critical as is keep your bubbles nice and soft.

A lovely design.

[attachment=0:1gljowwo][/attachment]dragon.jpg[/attachment:1gljowwo]

SUMMARY

A lovely collection of original designs most of which can be incorporated into making many other different models. The instructions are first class but please consider these are not beginner level PDFs. You will need to carefully measure your bubbles as some of the designs do not allow for inaccuracy. This offering works out at just $2 per design which offers exceptional value for money.