Howdy friends...

I'm sorry I haven't been able to *pop* in a visit more often. 2011 was a horrible year. I survivied bronchitis, pneumonia, kidney stones and thyroid cancer... whew... its taken me months to be able to speak it out loud.

Between episodes of depression over all the news, and trying to get my thyroid hormone normalized I haven't been my old self. I'm trying to figure out the "new me"... as they say in the thyroid cancer (thyca) world. I'm still very hypothyroid which makes me kind of forgetful, sluggish, etc. SO...

I accepted the opportunity to teach at Twist and Shout back in 2011... hoping... I would be "normal" by then. All I can say is I muddled through it. I hope no one was to terribly disappointed. If so... let me know and I will try to make ammends.

I will post more pictures in the future. So Graham... don't unsubscribe me yet?!

Love to all,

Patricia

Ok... I don't even know where to start. I guess for the past 12-15 years I've been suffering with episodes of "asthma" attacks. I have been SO sick lately... tons of wheezing etc. NOTHING was working... and I mean NOTHING! So I scheduled an appointment with an asthma specialist. I saw her yesterday. She sent me in for a chest xray and told me to come back this morning.

This morning... I checked in and she said... "You don't have asthma". I'm thinking COOL! But why do I get these episodes? So... she sends me into get a CT scan. She also tells me she suspects I have a terrible lung disorder called Bronchiectasis. I google all I can about the disorder and I'm... speechless (yes... thats rare for me!) Anyway... I've been crying all day.

So a few minutes ago the doctor calls and tells me I have Bronchitis. I DON'T have asthma... nor do I have the bronchiectasis!!!  

Well... I guess I'm prone to bronchitis then!

I can live with that I am so happy!

BIG HUGS to everyone... and again... Happy Holidays to all!

Patricia

I wish warm blessings to everyone... everywhere! I'm posting this as a gift. Enjoy!

Many hugs...especially to Graham for all his hard work and this forum where the most giving people in the world meet

Patricia

Thank you Betallic for the Filigree balloons/Link O Loons! Thanks to Pat Crosland for the idea of using a round for her skirt!

Here is a sneak preview of my new princesses! Hoping the DVD will be ready in a few weeks. You've seen a few of the others... my brides, the mermaid...

Hope you enjoy!

Hugs...

Patricia

1. I was doing "Circle shows" at a very large, outdoor event recently and had a woman approached me (yes during the show...albeit at the end of the show) and exclaim her son wanted a sword. I told her I was in the middle of a performance and she said... he just wants a simple sword. Again... I told her no I wasn't twisting balloons at the moment. She then said: How hard is it to make a stupid sword for pity sake? (I was performing as a clown too... and by this point I was beside myself)

How would you handle this situation?

2. I was ending a face painting/balloon twisting event where they had inflatables and other activities as well. I had this very nice teen aged girl as the "end of my line" and telling the kids she was the last one. Well... as it happens this 5 year old boy wouldn't take "NO" for an answer... no matter how many times she or I told him. When he was finally face to face with me he started SCEAMING... I DON'T GET A BALLOON.... SCREAM/TEARS...ETC. Whilst mom just sat there and stared at me. I was livid. I finally told him... and this isn't like me at all... that the party was over. IF I made him a balloon I was doing it "off the clock" and I refused to make a balloon for anyone that behaved so badly. Boy did he stop the water works instantly! I asked him his age and he said 5 years old. I then told him he was WAY to old to be throwing fits like that. I pointed to some 2 and 3 year old kids that didn't get a balloon and that he was setting a bad example for them. BTW the 2 and 3 year old children were perfectly behaved.

I know I went over the edge... what would you do?

Patricia

I thought I would post a quick tutorial on how to make a Barney parody, Twisted Critters style... (someone asked a while back).

He is a little more difficult to make (intermediate twisting skills).

Hope you enjoy!

Patricia

[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] CIMG0114.JPG[/attachment:a6974lfz]Here are some pictures from WBC. I had a great time... learned TONS!

I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Hugs...

Patricia

I snapped this picture before I stuffed it into cellophane for delivery. The base is a ceramic egg in which I filled with Easter candy.

Happy Easter!

Patricia

Dear Friends,

Hi I got this from a friend that got it in his email box... I think you would want to know and respond. The emailer is ............................ This person may or may not be paul Johnstone.... but that is the name he is going by.


Hello there, My name is Paul I am from Texas I am 12 years old I am a balloon twister like you I was wonder if you are will to share with me any balloon twisting ideas on pdf with me and I will with you long as you don't tell anyone where you got them from and I will not tell anyone  if you don't and this is what I have... and what do you have please let my know..

Jeanine Von Essen, Jean's stuff volumes 1,2,2.5,3,4,5,6

Bonnie Davis, Wearables Volumes 1,2  - A Bit of Bling
, Thunder Thighs, 2fers, Sitters, The Flower Garden, MBD2 Bash Notes - By Bonnie Davis

Sabina Kellner, Loop Technique

Petra Meijboom, Heart figures

Tonya McNeill, Adjustable hats, More Ajustable hats.

Steve Majes, The tricky twister, book one

Patricia Bunnell, Lecture Notes from Europe

Thelma Levett, Nice and Easy,Two And A Bit Volume 1, A little bit more
Twistina's Five Minute Balloon Delights" Volumes 1,2  , Something For Everyone..

Ballooms - Balloons That Bloom! Lifelike Fantasy Flowers The Twistina Way.

So what don't you think my mom buy those for me and in the attachment you will find something there for you I hope you like it and if you are wondering where I got your email I got from your website and Balloon Hq.. Thanks for your time Paul.

:cry:  well at least it wasn't my jet eh?

I got home from England... promptly got sick and in the middle of feeling disgusting my hard drive disk completely crashed. I get to pick my Mac up tomorrow... Gratefully they were able to recover my data!

Just wanted ya'll to know why I haven't popped in for a visit or to post pictures...etc.

I miss all ya'll so much! I had a wonderful time in the UK!

Hugs

Patricia

Hi!

When I'm line twisting, which is mostly what I do, I get these situations and after a while they drive me batty!

1. Parents pushing their children to the front of the line.
2. People holding spots for 2 or 3 (or more) children while the kids are off doing some other activity.
3. People (usually kids) cutting in line. This is similar to holding except they may not know the people they are letting in line. It can be typical for some ethnic groups but not always.
4. Comments about how long they have been waiting in line for a balloon.
5. People that won't take NO for an answer. This happens at the end of the line when I am trying to close down so I can go home or to another event. This is probably my biggest problem area.

Maybe you don't have these issues in your country. Maybe they are only rude here. If you do I would love to hear about how you deal with these things.

Many thanks,

Patricia

I'm getting excited for my trip to the UK and meeting all of you.

I am also prepping for the workshop and thought it would be fun to know what YOU would like to learn at the workshop.

I may not be able to teach everything ya'll post but I would like to see what you are interested in. Please post 2 or 3 things that you want me to teach.

Hugs!

Patricia

Hi all,

I'm going to play on your forum for a while! I hope you don't mind )

I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!

Patricia