Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Model Of The Month => Topic started by: Graham Lee on March 01, 2017, 06:23:16 PM
We have gone with the Koala Bear for the model of the month for March.
Complimentary balloon packs will go out with all orders so you can make the design up.
If you post your entry here on the forum then you will go into the random name selector at
the end of the month to win a Balloon Modelling DVD.
I will post the step by step instructions ASAP.
This is what you will receive in your complimentary balloon bags
to make the Koala Bear plus.
Inflate the first 260 grey leaving approx. 7 fingers un-inflated.
Make a 4 finger bubble and a 1.5 finger pinch twist.
Then make a 1.5 finger bubble and a short 3 finger bubble,
wrap this second twist around the pinch twist to form the first ear.
The pinch twist will sit in between the two bubbles but this can be done later.
You then need a 4 finger bubble for the top of the head.
Then a 1.5 finger pinch twist and another 1.5 finger bubble and a short 3 finger bubble for the other ear.
Twist another 4 finger bubble for the other side of the face.
Tie the knot securely a couple of times around this twist.
It's then onto the arms and legs, you will need two 4 finger bubbles
followed by a 1.5 finger pinch twist.
Then make two more 4 finger bubbles for the other side of the koala.
Deflate the rest of the balloon and discard.
Inflate the second grey 260 leaving 6 fingers un-inflated and
attach and the bottom of the face and top of the body section.
Make between a 4.5 and 5 finger bubble and twist into the first ear,
make another 4.5 to 5 finger bubble and attach to the second ear.
Make one more 4.5 to 5 finger bubble and twist into the section you attached the second 260 into.
I like to have the rear head bubbles slightly larger than the front for a more 3D overall effect.
For the body we need a 5 finger bubble twisted into the bottom body pinch twist.
Then make another 5 finger bubble back up to the neck section of the koala.
The pinch twist for the neck/mouth section is between a 2/3 finger pinch twist.
You then need another 5 finger bubble twisted into the bottom pinch twist.
Then make a 6 finger bubble and twist back into the neck section.
I like to push the bubble in at the bottom section so the top of this 6 finger
bubble helps to push the back of the head up so it sits squarely .
If you do not do this the head will tilt backwards, I prefer this to using a pinch
twist at the back of the head. It makes the design a little smoother and more flowing.
I use a 350 for the nose to give it more definition, I'm sure a 260 would work
but the nose is a major feature of a Koala so I went with the 350.
Inflate the 350 to approx. 3 fingers inflated, cut off excess from the 350 leaving 3 fingers.
This ties into the pinch twist as well but you need the knot to be at the top of the nose
section as the eyes will fit under this un-inflated section of the 350
The Ivory for the eyes is also a 3 finger inflated bubble tied at both ends.
You could use white but I like the look of the Ivory.
Twist the 350 Black securely into the pinch twist.
The top of the nose sits forward at the moment but will be pulled
back once the eyes are added to the design.
Split the 3 finger bubble in half and insert one bubble under the un-inflated black 350 at the top of the nose.
I like to the twist these two bubbles around to secure over the un-inflated 350.
Tie the ends of the eyes tightly into the each ear pushing the eye back
as you do so it fits tightly and snugly in position.
Draw on your eyes.
If you wanted to add the branch and leaves inflate a 160 mocha approx. half way.
make three 1 finger pinch twists at various points along the 160,
I also have one twisted section so the double leaf will fit.
At the end make two 1 finger pinch twists, deflate the rest of the balloon
at the tip so you can wrap the un-inflated 160 back up the inflated 160 to give
a little distortion and roughness to the branch.
With the lime 160 make three 2 finger fold twists and a figure of eight.
Twist the leaves into the branch and cut off the excess balloon.
Hopefully your koala plus will look a little like the one here.
Good luck and if you do make it then please post your effort here, thanks.
Here is mine if I can work out how to upload it
excellent koala design
[album][/album]
Thanks to those who made the koala and joined in.
The random name selector was used and the name chosen was Jana, so that is David Crofts.
I think this is the list to chose from David.
Exotic birds and sea creatures, Simply Shonna
Blossoms, Guido & Dennis
Doves Angel, Maryline Fossey
CD, A little bit more, Thelma Levett
CD, Twisted Mind, Hans Siemons
Books
Captain Visual's one balloon book
Captain Visual's Air Heads and Heart Breakers
Mr Rainbows Mother Goofs, silly ditties
Mother Goofs Nursery Rhymes, Mr Rainbow
More Marvelous Miniatures, Linda Berman
I am very happy to have won this month's competition and am all set up with a fantastic new koala balloon face - I know this is going to be useful
courtesy of Graham Lee.
As for my prize I am spoiled for choice but I think I will just start at the top of the list and go for Simply Shonna's exotic birds and sea creatures especially as most of my twisted birds and fish can be quite teeny tiny so this will get me blasted out and filling some space with some nice rounds etc.
Thank you Graham for organising the competition, no rush to post out to me as I do hope to pop round before too long, pardon the pun, or of course to catch up on the road.
As I am not here posing with my prize I have had to pick out a random image from my files but something which does express my happiness at being this month's winner, as you can see this picture was taken a long time ago before the days of colour film