My children and I make up stories all the time.  Well, we created this story, along with one of their friend's, and turned it into a short show.  Kylia, my 10 year old daughter, did all the illustrations! It's really fun. I hope you gather the family around and enjoy it!

//https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyWMqJZuU2U

My daughter saw a picture of Gabrielle's caterpillar and couldn't quite figure out how to make it.  I showed her how and we gave them to our local library.  So fun!!  The girl was named Katter and the boy was named Pillar.  

I broke my ankle on Monday, not just a sprain like I thought for 4 days before I went to the doctor.  (Stubborn much?)  Anyway, I don't have many gigs coming up and I'll refuse most for the next few weeks.  However, I do have some that I need to do.  Anyone been in this situation to give me any tips to make it a bit easier?

I'm planning on sitting and simplifying my menu, but beyond that I have no ideas.  Thoughts?

Thanks!

I was SO excited.  I've wanted to do a balloon dress for ages, and I finally got the opportunity last week.  My daughter and I designed the dress after looking at tons and tons of pictures.  I got started using this short tutorial from Marie //https://www.balloonhq.com/column/justmarie/may08/.  My daughter is also my lovely model in the last picture.

It went very well at the event.  Everyone loved it and I got lots of positive feedback.  SO excited and so fun!

I've wanted to make a pumpkin patch at my library for the past 2 years, and I FINALLY got to do it!  So Fun!

The scarecrow is based on Patricia_Balloona that she posted earlier.

The kids are based on my and my husband's DNA material.  

I just did this clip for my newest show, "Charlie and the Chocolate Balloon Factory".  Shrek, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Charlie win the Golden Tickets.  It's grand fun!   I'd love any feedback or thoughts on the clip.  Thanks!

//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0A0MxV41tI

I felt like making this and gave it to my local library.  They let me drop off anything I want.  It's so fun!  Those are my two kids.  Aren't they cute?!

Ok, I realize that due to the angle of the camera, Shrek looks like he had no forehead.  Sigh.  He has a great forehead in real life!  I built him from different parts of David Brenion's magic (Hulk hands, Mask face, Jumbo body).  I created him for an upcoming library show.  I'm really excited about.  After seeing this picture, I realize several things I need to change, but thought you might enjoy seeing him!

Ok, I've been looking for a long time for the link to Shona's website for ordering single color Big Bear Heads.  I can't find it!  Do any of you have it handy?  Thanks!!

I just got asked to do a b-day party for a woman who is turning 95.  There will be children there, but it's her birthday.  Any ideas?

I came up with this effective and very fast design today.  Showed it to my kids and they knew immediately who/what I was.  (It may help that I tell them frequently that I am an ogre when they ask why I won't let them do something, hmmm).  I should have covered the headband in green, but I didn't.  Fun, remarkably easy, and super fast!  Happy day!

A client told me that they were having a b-day party with a mustache theme.  I brainstormed and came up with this.  They loved it, I love it and hope you do to!  For the final one, I blew up some latex gloves and attached them for hands.  I didn't get a picture of the final.  Sigh.

(I honestly think my favorite part is that he has shoelaces!)

My most sincere thanks to David for the idea!  Can't wait until the video comes out, but here's what I came up with using a bit of creativity and imagination!

I've been looking for a really good Winnie the Pooh that's easily identifiable, and fairly quick (i.e., no weaving).  I got the head design from Ken Stillman's balloonclick.com.  The body, however, is my own.  It was a fun, tricky challenge, but I'm happy with it!

Inspired by the bear at T&S, I made this Panda.  The body structure is different because I used doughnuts.  I thought he turned out cute!

After trying for a week, I was finally able to get Matt Falloon's frog super-sized!  SO fun!  If you want instructions, go check out last week's Balloon Blast Video Show!  //http://youtu.be/ODo17gyU0d8

Ok, I didn't know about this until today, so you may already know, BUT Twist & Shout is allowing us to pick the location for 2014 T&S over at their facebook page //http://www.facebook.com/pages/Twist-Shout-Balloon-Convention/175743642435780  (the post is on January 11).  It could take place in ORLANDO, FL (my pick by far), Rochester, NY, or Burlington, MA.  Please go vote.....for Orlando, or wherever you want.  I won't be mad and we can still be friends!  

I have a library show coming up on Wednesday.  Today, I got a headache, feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest, and my throat is starting to hurt.  What the heck do I do?  Go in coughing  and hacking?  Call and warn them it might not be such a great idea for me to come?  I really hope this just blows over, but I've felt it coming on for a few days.  Now I don't know what to do.  Suggestions?

My kids and I have had a tradition for the last 4 years of participating in a 5k Bridge Run in costume.  We've been all kinds of crazy things.  This year, my kids wanted to celebrate two great traditions in our area by dressing up like St. Patricks day while doing the run.  Unfortunately, both my little ones were sick,so I didn't get to use the costume, but  had fun creating it anyway!

My thanks to Nancy Dalton for the tak weave rainbow idea.

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Pot of gold, leprechaun and cloud

I just realized I set myself up for an impossible task, and I'm not quite sure how to handle it.  My library called and told me they are having a children's event in Oct. that they want me to twist for.  It's 3 hours and they are expecting around 900 children.  I said yes, then realized that this was an impossibility.  I can't possibly twist for 900 children in 3 hours.  Each of my average line twisting creations take 2-3 mins.  That means the most I can push through in an hour is 30 children.  So, what to do now?  I think I'm going to make a Pooh Bear and Piglet balloon bead sculpture that the kids can stand next to and the parents can take their picture if they don't feel like standing in line which gets a picture for all,  but that still doesn't get every child a balloon.

Have any of you realized you backed yourself into a corner without meaning to?