I posted a picture of my setup in a Crop in Style thread a while back: //http://balloonchat.co.uk/post34437.html#p34437.

The pockets on the underside of the lid are something I just added.

Good for him. You should be proud. Congrats!

Hey Chris,

I have two set-ups. I use my Crop-in-Style XXL for any line twisting events. It's my preferred set because it holds a greater variety of balloons and more of them and because I use it more, it is stocked or I know what needs restocking.

My second setup is the largest Twist 'em up apron they make. I use this for restaurant work. I just can't figure out how to use my crop-in-style for a restaurant. My apron does a good job for me in these situations although it does have limitations compared to my first choice.

If you do a lot of strolling, perhaps an apron is the better way to go. If you do more line-twisting, I recommend a case with a large center area and lots of see-through pockets.

I received my copy. It's gorgeous. What an artist!

To answer the question about the different colors, the book is in a sleeve. The sleeve has the title of the book written on it. It is only the color of the text on the sleeve which is different. Everything about the book is the same.

"How did you get started?"
  -against my will.

I do three things that help me remember balloon creations to make:

1. I will cruise here or BHQ and print out pictures of new models I think are cool. I'll review the pics just before I go in to an event and just TRY to remember to make those 2 or 3 things.

2. I encourage requests, no limits, so I get some cool requests that either remind me of something I haven't made in a while or stretch my creativity. If they ask for a dog, I'll say something like, 'I can make a dog for you, but I can make you something that you might like better. What do you really like or what's your favorite TV show?"

3. I look at what the kids are wearing and based on the pictures on their clothes I'll make a matching balloon (Thanks Patrick for that idea).

Quote from: "Lisa Chester"What is he standing on?

That's the base I use for my columns. There's a pipe flange mounted there but I'm not using it for this model.  

I drilled a small hole all the way through the board. I drilled a larger hole halfway through from the bottom. I tied a huge knot in a 260 and pulled the uninflated 260 through from the bottom. The knot sat in the recess but couldn't make it through the smaller hole. That's what I used to secure the turkey to the base.

I provided decor for a Turkey Hunter's Lunch today.

The banquet manager asked if I could make a large turkey holding a rifle. Of COURSE!! I love fun requests.

Here's what I made, it stands about 3' tall.
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Turkey Hunter - resized.jpg[/attachment:1tjsb0lw]

The feet are two loops of a 350, but they weren't providing enough support to allow the turkey to stand firmly upright (as seen in the picture above). I added a 260 loop around each ankle with a pinch twist in the middle. I pulled the deflated tail of the 260 down around the center of the 350 feet (like making a column). It stood very firmly after that.
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] IMG_5641.JPG[/attachment:1tjsb0lw]

And here's my daughter in the picture for size reference...
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] IMG_5638 - resized.JPG[/attachment:1tjsb0lw]

Tonya,

Thanks for finding and Tweaking Dan's Frank.

I made him for my daughter's Halloween party at school tomorrow.

Here's my attempt, I decided to give him a basket of candy:
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Tonyas Frankie-3 - Copy.jpg[/attachment:2wqwi3lb]
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Tonyas Frankie-1 - Copy.jpg[/attachment:2wqwi3lb]

Oh, and it was my 6 year old's idea to put one eye up, one eye down. Credit where credit is due.

Quote from: "lowemagic"The new 321Q's make great ears and fangs for wolves etc..

Augh! I just bought one bag of every color and had them with me too! I'm just not in the habit of reaching for them.

Last night I worked a restaurant which was hosting a Halloween party for kids. The kids were encouraged to come dressed up.

I had the cutest 3.5 year old Little Red Riding Hood - complete with basket for Grandma's house - come up with her father. When I asked her what she would like, she responded, "Well, in the story there's a wolf."  I told her that I'd be happy to make her a Big Bad Wolf but that I'd need her father's help.

I used Caldwell's dragon mask as a base, changed the colors, the ears, and added a nose. I was really pleased with the way it turned out. At the end I put it on the father. Red was really happy.

I ended up making three of these - one of them was for one of the waitresses. I only added the whiskers (you can barely make them out in the picture) to the last one.

[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Big Bad Wolf resized.jpg[/attachment:1z9pm28y]
This one is a recreation of what I made last night. Usually I'll tweak the design but I was really pleased with this one so no tweaking occurred.

160 around the head, down the back and to make the tail/handle.
260 for body and wings.
6" heart for head/ears/body.
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Bat - Compressed.JPG[/attachment:2w6eueem]
I leave the full 160 coming off the back so the kids can make the batter flutter.

I'm 10 miles outside Manchester (New Hampshire, USA). I'd love to jam!

I've been making Bonnie's hats for years. I've never had a disappointed customer when presenting one of her designs. FANTASTIC material.

Awesome Charles, nice work.

I still remember what you said about leaving a color out of your bag on purpose, to force you to use different colors. I don't leave colors out but sometimes I'll put a block on a certain color - it's great for that creative burst we're all looking for.