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Quick Race Car

by Ralph Dewey

The Balloon HQ challenge this month is a balloon car.

I make several styles of cars. This month I'll show you one that is fairly quick. It's great for restaurant work. Now that we can get 6" hearts in black, we can use them for the tires of the quick car. By the way, you'll notice that I used purple and blue in the photos. At the time I was photographing the steps, I was out of the black 6" hearts.

To make the quick car, you'll need two black 6" hearts (the tires), one green #260 (or the color of your choice) for the car's body and one blush 6" heart balloon for the driver.

Begin by fully inflating the #260 all except about 3 inches and tie off the nozzle. Twist off two 1" bubbles and ear twist each of them. Twist off a soft 6" bubble, then two 5" bubbles. Twist-connect the two 5" bubbles.

Car Car

Twist off another 5" bubble and roll it through the first two 5" bubbles to form a 3-bubble "bird body" shape.

Car

Twist off a soft 6" bubble and a 1" bubble. Ear twist the 1" bubble. Discard any excess balloon.

Car

Now make a set of tires. Inflate a black 6" heart balloon to about 3" and tie off the nozzle. Twist the balloon in half by dividing it evenly between the two lobes. The knot should end up being in the center of the twist.

Car

Place the center of the "tires" in the middle of the first 6" bubble. Then fold the 6" bubble around the center of the tires and twist-connect it. In other words, you capture the tires. Now you completed the rear tires.

Car

Make a second set of tires from the other black 6" heart in the same manner. Fold the other 6" bubble around it to complete the front tires.

Car Car

To make the driver, hold one of the 6" blush heart lobes so that it won't expand. While doing so, inflate the balloon to about 2" in diameter. Don't make it too big or the head will be disproportionate to the car. Tie off the nozzle as near to the opening as you can. Shape the head by holding the uninflated lobe while squeezing the remainder of the balloon to achieve the optimum head shape. It may take a little practice to get it right.

Car Car

Take the knot of the blush 6" heart and attach it by wrapping it in between the two 1" ear twists (the cockpit). Decorate the driver's face and helmet as shown below.

Car


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