Balloon Review 072 - Twisted Critters Vol 3 by Patricia Bunnell

Available from http://myfriendandiproductions.com/page1/page1.html priced $40

Patricia's Twisted Critters is a series of three DVDs. Stupidly I have started with Vol 3 and so will be working backwards! I have had this DVD for many years but haven't yet got around to viewing it so it will be interesting to see what is on here. I must admit a DVD filled with hats doesn't excited me (i'm a little bored of hats) but I will be an objective as I can be!

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

Before I begin, let me start by saying the DVD is of good quality. Each model is rapidly accessed via the menu. Patricia speaks clearly and slowly and explains the models fine. More attention to bubble size and how much uninflated tail to leave on each balloon would be helpful. One negative point is that sometimes Patricia's hand obscures the view of the models and so you have to rely on audio instructions rather than visually seeing what is going on. If you are a reasonable twister you do not really need to see so much detail but if you are a beginner I do believe you will struggle to follow along...

OWL HAT

KIT LIST : 160Q MOCHA BROWN / 160Q ORANGE / 260Q BLUSH

The base of this hat (and many others to follow) uses a standard hat base. Unfortunately this base is not taught on this DVD as it is volume 3 so not having viewed vols 1 or 2, I guess it will be covered there. It is simple enough to copy but again if you are new to modelling then you may get a little lost.

The owl itself is fairly nice. I struggled to hold the 160Q ears in position and if I was making it again I would probably add a small pinch twist at the base of each one to help keep it in place. With this balloon make sure you stretch each one as a little extra length is handy.

Not a bad one to start with...

[attachment=0:3f2vu2wj][/attachment]owl.jpg[/attachment:3f2vu2wj]

PANDA HAT

KIT LIST : 260Q WHITE / 260Q BLACK

A really cute and effective panda hat. The only struggle was squeezing the black eyes under the white nose. A suggested added extra would be to add a small pink balloon inside the mouth. I was pleasantly surprised about how this one turned out.

[attachment=0:3j2hbhqq][/attachment]panda.jpg[/attachment:3j2hbhqq]

KOALA HAT

KIT LIST : 260Q GREY / 260Q BLACK

This koala hat is a little tricky to see from the video and so you may find yourself making twice just to get the sizing correct. The final result is actually quite pleasing and I think customers will see it as a koala. The head could be used on a regular body and even made into a teddy bear.

[attachment=0:343nlfk3][/attachment]koala.jpg[/attachment:343nlfk3]

Wow... THANK YOU for reviewing my DVDs. I look forward to your constructive opinion as I would like to make more videos and wish to improve them.

I would ship you a volume 1&2... but you're already bored with hats

Patricia

Hi Patricia,

I already have Vols 1 & 2 - I have nothing against hats, I've just made a lot of them recently. It doesn't stop me loving your panda :-)

I love that panda hat, its cool :-)

SPONGEMAN

KIT LIST : 260Q YELLOW / 260Q WHITE / 260Q BLACK

A very quick and easy spongebob hat which is perfect for line work. Very easily adapted for other characters and I can't help thinking with some slight reshaping you could have a Bart Simpson. There is a black 260Q inside the mouth which personally I think isn't necessary so it speeds up the making!

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LLAMA HAT

KIT LIST : 260Q BLACK / 260Q WHITE / 5" WHITE ROUNDS

This Llama is great - instantly recognisable and the hat is made with a single 260Q so don't forget to give it a quick stretch and leave enough uninflated at the end. For me this is one of the most impressive hats so far. Perfect for line work.

[attachment=0:2fb0vgab][/attachment]llama.jpg[/attachment:2fb0vgab]

CAMEL HAT

KIT LIST : 260Q BLUSH / 5" WHITE ROUND

The head is very similar to the Llama but the ears are twisted into loops. The body represents the camel's humps but I got the hump trying to make them look good! A little too flat for my likely. A simple variation of the Llama which is perfect for line work and restaurants.

[attachment=0:3hy2k6vn][/attachment]camel.jpg[/attachment:3hy2k6vn]

GIRAFFE HAT

KIT LIST : 260Q GOLDENROD / 5" WHITE

A small variation to the Camel Hat and you have a Giraffe hat! I especially love the ears which add some nice movement when wearing the hat. The neck and the head can easily be added to a standard body to make a full giraffe. The addition of simple artwork is very effective - nice.

[attachment=0:10kody2n][/attachment]giraffe.jpg[/attachment:10kody2n]

MICKEY HAT

KIT LIST : 260Q BLUSH / 260Q BLACK

An easy Mickey hat design. Something isn't quite right here for me as the face needs to be a little more rounded. It may be that I've not followed the balloon sizing properly. It is certainly quick and easy, and yes you can tell it is Mickey but probably not a design I will use as there are better ones.

[attachment=0:1yg99wok][/attachment]mickey.jpg[/attachment:1yg99wok]

MINNIE HAT

KIT LIST : AS MICKEY BUT WITH A 260Q RED

One thing I do like about Patricia's creations is that with a small change of colour or by adding an additional balloon you can end up with a different character.

This Minnie mouse is easily made by adding a red bow. I haven't seen this style of bow before which makes a nice change.

[attachment=0:htv0e0yc][/attachment]minnie.jpg[/attachment:htv0e0yc]

DEER

KIT LIST : 260Q BLUSH / 160Q MOCHA / 260Q MOCHA / 260Q BLACK / 5" WHITE

This deer hat is quick and easy and looks wonderful. Easily adapted for any sort of deer type animal. Bubble sizing is important as is a good stretch of the balloon to make the head in just one balloon.

I will be using this one.

[attachment=0:1qmvoz3p][/attachment]deer.jpg[/attachment:1qmvoz3p]