World Toilet Day

It's World Toilet Day today. It's aim to to raise awareness and improve sanitation around the world. It was started by a Singaporean businessman. You can read all about this movement and what they do at their webpage, worldtoilet.org.

Today is also my birthday and I'd like to give myself a birthday present. So, I made this toilet seat inspired by a photo I saw on Flickr. I assume the originator is Michelle Patterson, as the photo was on her Flickr page. Anyways, here's the photo. And below, is my version.

Spent the most time getting the cover and seat arranged, because the water part kept leaking and the seat won't stay down. Had to use double sided tape eventually, but I'm loving it! :)

Birthday favours for friends

Had the pleasure of making 29 frog bracelets for a 5y.o.'s birthday for his friends and teachers. It was supposed to be 25 of them, but I always make a few extras just in case of popping or new friends, or well, someone's little sibling wanted one too. The teachers had rainbow headbands instead of frogs.

I had much fun with this lot of gifts. Took me about 4 hours and was aching all over, but I had a lot of fun. Not many people will think churning out the same sculpture as fun, but I made it so, timing myself with each sculpture. The first hour was the longest, with each frog taking 8-10 mins to complete. By the 2nd hour, I could make each one within 7mins. The third hour was the toughest, feeling like a failure because of the lengthy time it takes to make one. But by the fourth hour, I was churning them out at 5-6 mins flat! Woo-hoo!

I think that's where the fun part comes about - knowing that the first two hours of ploughing along is worth it.

It's the same with all other techniques and skills. It takes practice. And, this is what I tell fascinated folks who ask me how I am able to do what I do. Practice. Lots of it.

These 25 frogs made my day. I was proud of myself and proud of them.

Delivered them and was very glad to see the birthday boy's face light up at the big bag of balloons for his friends!

So, anytime you want something different for your birthday favours, drop me an email at balloonaholic@gmail.com and we'll work something out. :)

Frog bracelets. Took a sample photo. Just imagine that there were 29 of them. Slight modification from ChiTwist's frog tutorial on youtube.

Rainbow headbands for the teachers.

Captain Barnacles and a happy balloon boy

A good friend of ours invited us to celebrate her son's 5th birthday and I made these two balloons for him.

Did Captain Barnacles first, because I really wanted to make one for him. Had to educate myself on what he looks like. I've never watched the show before and had no clue what it was about, other than it involves astronaut-looking things.

Anyway, he was a challenge. Will probably be easier if I had a large white round balloon for his head. But, I didn't have it. Surprisingly, the whole twisting of the character wasn't difficult. The challenge was resting the head and the body nicely against each other. I made them separately. Took 3 tries to get the head to sit upright and not tilt itself off the collar.

The other birthday buddy was made on impulse. I woke up thinking that I want to make another balloon and decided to make this birthday boy. Thanks to Bonnie, the Balloon Lady for the thunder thighs inspiration!

We had a lovely time at the party, enjoying pizzas and fish and chips and just catching up with one another. :)

Birthday Penguin

This was made for one of my nieces' birthday. She told me before that she likes penguins. The clear body started with a twister, Corinne Sparkles Smith, and I thought I'd use it here. Twisters have been putting all sorts of things into clear balloons and I thought that for my niece's birthday, I'll give her some money to spend.... :)