Author: KhoolBalloons

Unicorn

Unicorn

I’ve been wanting to make this unicorn balloon (designed by Jackie Ochitwa, video linked below), and then a friend asked if I could make a unicorn! (Get well soon, K – you’ll be back up and running in no time!) This design uses a couple more advanced techniques, so I put it as “intermediate” in terms of difficulty, but it’s a fun one to make and easy to put together.

The more advanced techniques include: (1) a raisin twist to attach the ears to the head and (2) making curly balloons. I used different sizes from what Jackie uses in her tutorial. I used what I had – 260s for the body; 160s for the hair, horn, and flower; and a 6″ heart for the head.

You could use this design to make ponies from “My Little Pony” as well. I’ve learned ponies and unicorns are quite popular, especially with 4-5 year olds – my cousin’s daughter just asked me for one the other day.



Another turtle

Turtle

I’ve twisted turtles before, and here’s another turtle design I like (from Juan Gonzalez.) Can’t have too many turtles!

I used 160 balloons instead of 260 balloons to make this balloon. It’s a quick one to make and super cute (like this tortoise)! I offered this turtle as one of four choices (along with the octopus) at the Kidsrock appreciation event.



Octopus

Octopuses

The octopus is one really neat animal, so intelligent and interesting. I almost feel kind of bad for enjoying them at mealtime every now and then. In any case, they are a fun balloon animal to make.

I recently bought these 5″ round polka-dotted balloons, and they great to use for making octopuses. For the eyes, I use one 5″ round white balloon, twisted in half. For the green octopus shown, I used one 160 to form the eight arms. You basically twist one ~6″ bubble (or however long you want the first arm to be), followed by six loops twists, with another ~6″ section left for the eighth arm. This design is a nice, quick one, especially if you are twisting for a crowd and/or have less time.

For the blue octopus shown, I used two 160 balloons to form the arms. You can make a curly balloon (which I’m not a pro at yet.) It takes a little more time as you are using two balloons instead of one and making curly balloons, but you can see that the blue octopus looks a little fuller with longer legs. But whichever design you use, both are fun.

Graduation Owl

Graduation Owl

Congratulations to my friend Pam on her graduation! I’m so excited for you and your future students!

This graduation owl is similar to the owl I twisted before, designed by TaylorAnnArt. I added a graduation cap to it, attached by twisting an extra pinch twist in the head and tying the cap to it with the other end of the balloon used to form the tassel.

50th birthday cake

50th birthday cake hat

A very special happy 50th birthday to our friend Chris, whom my husband and I have enjoyed getting to know these last two years. Here’s a special birthday cake hat with the numbers 5-0 attached using some clear balloons. I added an extra structural balloon segment inside the cake in order to attach the numbers. Happy birthday Chris! What a memorable birthday with such fun stories.

On another note, I can’t believe it’s already May and this is only my first post! Time flies. Hope to have a few more posts soon, especially with many different celebrations coming up.

2018 in review

Happy 2019!! Here’s a look back at 2018 in balloons. I didn’t post as much throughout the year as in previous years, probably because I spent more time juggling. Also, many of the balloons I twist are ones I’ve made before, so I don’t bother posting about them again. I did twist a lot, and am happy more of my friends are getting into balloon art!

 

Icosahedron variant

This is the last balloon I made in 2018. Because we were going to watch the ball drop (during the New Year countdown), I thought I’d make something like a ball. Next time I might put a lit round balloon inside. My niece said it’s like a disco ball.

This balloon is a variant of the icosahedron balloon I often make. (I also used it to make the battle mace.) The only difference is that when you twist each unit, you include an extra 3-5″ bubble on each end. Each balloon will be fully used – inflate to almost one inch remaining, and when nearing the end, push the air so that the whole balloon is filled.

Icosahedron variant

Penguins (again!)

Penguin with hair bow

This penguin balloon design is a pretty popular one and a design commonly found when you search YouTube (see the Twister Sister video link below.) I’ve twisted this one before. It’s a fun, easy, and quick design, and I’ve probably made over 20 of them this past month – just because it’s the Christmas/winter season and also for E’s birthday. (Happy birthday E!) I’m reposting to show what you can add to the design to make it just a little khooler. 🙂

In the original post, I added a bow tie. Above, I’ve add a hair bow to the penguin. Below, I’ve added a scarf. Each addition is pretty simple and fast, but adds a lot and gives you a way to personalize each penguin.

Penguin with scarf

 

More pictures of penguins on-the-move! From left to right:
(1) A waddle of penguins ready for transport.
(2) Mr. Penguin traveled with me through the airport on my suitcase.
(3) Mr. Penguin got a window seat next to me. (Free advertising for Southwest.)

Penguins on-the-move

 

 
Check out this video from Holly:

Simple shield

Shield

A balloon sword is fun; having both a sword for offense and a shield for defense is even better! This balloon is fast to make and great for parties. I made these at a kid’s birthday party, which took place at a playground where kids could run around. Kids like being able to choose their own colors.

 
Check out this video tutorial from Gregg Ka-Zam:

My first organic balloon arch

Organic balloon arch

For my grandma’s birthday party, my cousin and I put together this organic balloon arch, using tons of balloons and fishing line. I used uninflated balloons to attach the arch to the curtain rods. (If your wall is empty, you can get some small removable sticky hooks to attach to the wall.)

This was the first organic arch (or any arch) I’ve made. It was a lot of fun to do! One tip is to start with smaller balloons on one end and gradually get larger. Also, include a couple really large balloons.

I didn’t think to get a nice photo, but here’s one that was taken on a phone late at night after we finished. We were in a bit of a time crunch, but it worked out well. At the party, we took many photos with the balloons in the background. I’d love to make another one sometime!

A very special happy birthday to my grandma, whom I’m thankful to have in my life, and who defied doctor’s expectations about her health this year.

Balloon cake

I haven’t posted in a while – just haven’t had the time. But I have been twisting quite often! I will try to get some more posts in this next month!

I think I’ve made more birthday cakes this year than I’ve made in any year so far. This five-sided cake design is one I often make, but each one is just as specially made. I tweak some small details (like colors) for each person. Here are a couple cakes.

Birthday cake

Happy birthday to Ashley! I was so glad I got to meet Ashley and give this to her personally.

Birthday cake

And happy birthday to Joshua! Thanks for inviting me to your party! I used Supergirl colors here, one of his favorite superheroes. You can see I added a yellow balloon layer in the middle.

I mentioned that you can put the balloon in the freezer to make it last much longer, and I was amused when Joshua’s mom sent me this photo of what he did when he got home. 🙂

Cake in the freezer (last longer!)

Tigger

Tigger

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Hopefully you’ll recognize this balloon as Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh. I made this for a friend who used to dress up in a Tigger costume! Happy Birthday Chi!

To make this balloon, I used 3 orange 260s for the head, arms, body, and tail, as well as an orange 350 for the legs. I also used a blush 260 and 350 for the head and body, a pink scrap for the nose, and a red scrap for the tongue. Afterwards, I added the stripes and eyes with a black marker.

Balloon bouquet

Balloon bouquet

This balloon bouquet was made for a couple celebrating their new home and soon coming baby boy. My husband and I met them almost a year ago, have gotten to know them well, and are excited for their coming little one. Congrats to you both!! 🙂

In this bouquet, I included a Betallatex 5″ emoji round balloon, which I just received in my recent order of balloons from larocksmagic.com. I decided to order from them this time, as they have a larger assortment of balloons in their catalog at great prices.

For the stems I used the Qualatex Fashion Wintergreen 160Qs. I like using this shade of green for the stems.

Tandem bike

Tandem bike

This tandem bike was made for my friends who recently got married! Congratulations LL&A!

I based the design on Vyacheslav’s bicycle. I extended the bicycle frame to make a tandem bicycle (and then added another seat and set of pedals.) I only had white round balloons, so the wheels are white instead of silver. Also, I used a 160 balloon instead of a 260 for the tires.

To make this balloon, I used:
Four 260s for the bicycle frame
Two small rounds (or quick links) for the wheels
Some scraps to help secure the wheels
Two black 160s for the tires and pedals
One black 260 for the seats and handlebars

[ Vyacheslav’s bicycle tutorial video ]

Snoopy the Flying Ace

Snoopy the flying ace

It’s Snoopy the Flying Ace! This balloon was for a friend who has logged many hours in the sky. Congrats on your graduation and can’t wait to hear about your new adventures!

I saw this on Pinterest and really liked the design. So I figured out how to make it from the photo. Next time, I will try to make the goggles differently.

To make this balloon, I used a couple white 260s for the body and legs, a white 160 for the arms, a white heart for the head, two green 260s for the hat, a red 160 for the scarf, a brown 160 and black 160 scrap for the goggles, and a black scrap for the nose. The body is pretty straightforward – the head is the more complicated part. The nose was attached the same way I attached the cherry to the ice cream. I also twisted a side wall bubble in the heart balloon to help attach the head.

Dinosaur

Dinosaur

I’ve been looking for some dinosaur designs, and here’s one that I like. It only takes one 260 balloon for the body and one white scrap for the eyes. It took me a few tries to get the right amount of air in the balloon – I ran out of space to twist and had to decrease the amount of air. Check out Sergey’s tutorial video! Great for line work!

[ Sergey’s tutorial video ]