Twisting A Cute 160 Turkey

By Linda Berman

As I mentioned in last month's column, I've been using the 6" Link-O-Loons and 160s to make some fun designs. This month, I have a cute miniature turkey with a "cartoony" look.

Materials: 1 6" crystal orange Link-O-Loon, 2 red 160s, 2 orange 160s, 2 yellow 160s, wiggle eyes and scissors.

Step 1: For the body, inflate the Link-O-Loon to about 5." Inflate a red, orange and yellow 160 leaving about 6" uninflated. Tie the 3 knots together. Tie the knot in the Link-O-loon to the three knots. (You might want to trim the excess knots.)

Step 2: Twist the 3 160s about 7" from the knots. Attach the other end of the Link-O-Loon to the twists. Twist a 10" fold twist in each balloon. Arrange the folds so they stand up for the tail and interlock if you like. Twist 4" bubbles in the 160s. Tie at the end of the 4" bubbles and trim the excess.

Step 3: Inflate the 2nd yellow balloon leaving about 6" uninflated. At the knot, twist a 2" 3 bubble roll through for the head. Twist a 4 ½" bubble and attach this bubble to the knots at the front of the body. Twist 2 1" pinch twists in the yellow balloon. Then twist a 5" bubble and a 4 ½" bubble. Wrap these bubble under the body and attach the 4 ½" bubble at the tail. Deflate the remaining yellow and trim the excess.

Step 4: For the legs, inflate the 2nd orange balloon about 12". Twist a 1" bubble, a 1 ¾" bubble, a 1" bubble and a 1¾" bubble. Lock twist the 1 ¾" bubbles together. Twist a 3" bubble and carefully pull the balloon through the yellow balloon under the body, fitting the twist joint into the twist in the yellow balloon. Twist a 3" bubble, a 1 ¾" bubble, a 1" bubble, and a 1 ¾" bubble. Lock twist the 2 1 ¾" bubbles together. Carefully deflate the balloon at the beginning of the uninflated section so you can use the left over orange for the beak.

Step 5: Finishing details. Inflate the left over orange balloon to about 8". Wrap the knot around the bottom of the head. Twist a 1" pinch twist, a 1 ½" bubble and a 1" bubble. Lock twist these two bubbles together for the beak. Then twist a 1" pinch twist. Position the pinch twists on either side of the beak. Inflate the second red (or scrap if available) to about 5". Twist 3 1" bubbles. Tie the knot to the end of the 3rd bubble. Wrap the knot around the orange beak section and trim the excess balloon. I add 20mm to 30mm wiggle eyes for a final touch.

Yes, I know that most turkeys are mostly brown. But Qualatex does not make brown 160s. For a more traditional look, you can "double stuff" any color 160 in a brown 260 and carefully inflate the 160. You will get a balloon slightly larger than a 160 and smaller than a 260. I find these "double stuffed" balloons very hard to work with.

Another option is to stretch a brown 260 while inflating. Put your foot on the tip end of the brown 260 and stretch the balloon while you inflate. You might need a helper to inflate while you stretch.

I just wish that we had brown 160s and other colors, too. My dream is to have the Entertainer Assortment in 160s. If that is your dream, please let Qualatex know.

Keep twisting in miniature - people love the detailed miniature creations.

See you next month with more Holiday designs.

Linda Berman

You can find single and multiple-balloon 160 designs in my books, "Marvelous Miniatures," "More Marvelous Miniatures," Even More Marvelous Miniatures," and "Marvelous Miniatures for Beginners." The books are available from me and from many dealers. My newest book will be available in early 2002 and has some exciting designs.

You can contact me at heartthrob@pacbell.net or balloonlady@pacbell.net or at (626)581-7690. I live in Southern California in the Pacific Time Zone. You can write to me at PO Box 50574, Pasadena, CA 91115 USA.