Transformer: Magician To Rabbit in a Top Hat
by Ralph Dewey
The BHQ Challenge this month is a transformer design.
Shirley Ray is an amazingly creative and talented balloon artist. In 2006 she was the first woman recipient of my Balloon Excellence Award as the Twister of The Year. She has allowed me to write up her instructions in my column for her Turnaround Magician Rabbit in a Top Hat.
Materials:
1 white #350Q for the head and body
1 black #260Q for the hat
2 white #160Q for the ears and arms
1 red #160Q for the bow tie
Stickers (optional) 1 red heart, round stickers for eyes and buttons.
1 black marking pen
Miniature playing cards and magic wand
Head and Body
Inflate the white #350Q (the body) to about half full and tie off the nozzle. Inflate the first white #160Q (the ears) about half way and tie off the nozzle. Tie the inflated ends together thus forming a loop (circle) and discard the excess balloon. Twist the loop in half forming a figure "8". Tie the center of the ears to the top of the #350Q.
Arms and Hands
Inflate the second white #160Q (the arms) to about half full and tie off the nozzle. For the first hand, twist off a 1" ear twist and a 3" fold twist. For the arms twist off two 4-1/2" bubbles. For the second hand twist of a 3" fold twist and a 1" ear twist. Discard the excess balloon. Twist off a 4" bubble (the rabbit's head) on the #350Q and twist-connect the center of the arms to it.
Bow Tie
Inflate a red #160 to about half way and tie off the nozzle. Twist off four 3-inch bubbles and fold twist them. Tie the ends of the balloons together and discard the excess balloon. It will look like a red four-petal flower. Attach the center of the four petals to the #350Q where the arms are. Arrange two bubbles in the front and two in the back as shown. Twist off a 4" bubble (rabbit's body) on the #350Q and tie off. Discard any excess balloon.
Top Hat
Inflate a black #260 fully except for about 4" and tie off the nozzle. Tie the knot to the bottom of the #350Q. Twist off two 4" bubbles and twist-connect them together. Twist off a 4" bubble, break off the excess (save it for later) and tie. Tie the knot to the bottom of the #350Q then roll the bubble through the other two 4" black bubbles.
Inflate the black #260 piece to about 9 inches and tie it around the bottom of the #350Q making a loop from it. It will be the brim of the top hat. Snip off any untidy ends.
Adding Features
Use a black marker or use the stickers to decorate the rabbit's face. Turn the rabbit upside down and around then mark the Magician's face. Add the miniature cards and magic wand to the hands. In my photos I substituted my business cards and a short piece of a cello stick.
To present this transformer idea first show the Magician to the audience. Hold the legs together (the ears of the rabbit) with one hand and hold the brim of the hat with the other. Use the magic words, "Abracadabra!", and let go of the legs and as you do so, turn the balloon model over thus producing the "Rabbit in a Top Hat".
Shirley Ray says that if you place three regular size playing cards between the bubbles of the Rabbit's Hat, it will easily stand up on a table.
