Thanksgiving Balloon Decorations with BIG FUN BALLOONS

 

This year I was privileged to take part in helping to create balloon decor for the Salvation Army's Annual Thanksgiving Dinner here in Phoenix.  Sponsored by Big Fun Balloons and Qualatex Balloons (Pioneer Balloon Company), volunteers come together each November to decorate for the event!  We made giant balloon sunflowers, several huge balloon turkeys, beautiful balloon trees with fall-colored "leaves" (designed by Anthony Pearce) filled with critters, barbershop columns, and scads of balloon pumpkin and balloon cornucopia centerpieces!

 

 

Overcoming Fears - CLOWNS!

Taulbee, Marta, Brenda

Are you afraid of clowns? For some inexplicable reason I have been...ever since I can remember. Not just clowns...anyone in a costume where I can't see their face...even Santa! In the balloon business, I've met many kind, wonderful people who do clowning and, as a result, made a decision to seek to overcome that fear.





In November 2012 I attended the Western Region Clown Association Convention in Laughlin, Nevada with two of my close friends and fellow balloon artists (Marta Hoburg & Taulbee McJunkin.) The classes were fun and instructive and the people were welcoming!

1st Place Group Balloon Competition Winners!

While there, and at the encouragement of my friends, I decided to face another fear and gathered up enough courage to enter some of balloon competitions. As luck would have it, my friends and I took first place in the "Group Balloon Competion" (I got to make the roadrunner - most of which is double-stuffed) and, to my surprise, I also took first place in the "Single Balloon Competition" and the "Multiple Balloon Competition".

 



Do you recognize these two?

With "Santa Hugo"

Although I will probably never be a "clown", I can now be in an entire room FULL of clowns and not get nervous!

We had SO much fun! A warm thanks to all my new friends and to everyone there for being so kind and patient with me!

 

Luau

A close friend of our has been battling cancer for several years.  Each year he and his wife celebrate life by hosting a LUAU.  This year, I was priveleged to provide some balloon decor for this worthwhile event - A colorful tropical flower balloon arch with balloon tiki columns.

 

Warm wishes to this family and may there be many luau's to come!

Bowling Birthday Party - and BALLOONS!

Check these two "birthday kids" out! - So brave of them to wear their birthday hats to the bowling alley!

A visit from CAPTAIN AMERICA!

Imagine my surprise when I opened the door Sunday evening and found CAPTAIN AMERICA standing on my doorstep!  How cool is that?!  He'd come to visit his grandma who lives nearby...but had left his shield at home.  Noooo problem! -  a BALLOON SHIELD will work for now!

(Shield design by David Brenian.)

High School Dance - Cinderella also used a PUMPKIN

I went to my neice's wedding this past weekend and got to visit with my brother's family.  On my last night there I found out that my twin nephews had both been asked to the high school dance...more than a week before!  With all the wedding preparations, they hadn't yet had a chance to respond.  In their date invitation, they were each given a pumpkin with the girl's name hidden inside.  They'd had to clean out the pumpkin to find the name and were to carve their reponse, Yes or No, in the pumpkin.  Well, with the elapsed time, the pumpkins had begun to decompose.  I suggested that I make BALLOON PUMPKINS for them.  The boys thought of carving their response in candycorn pumpkins and placing them inside.  WAY cute!  Thanks, guys - for letting me join in the fun!

Jungle Safari Balloon Animal Centerpieces - With a Twist

For this particular baby shower, I was asked to create centerpieces using twisted balloon animals.  I made these using larger size balloons that usual - making some of these centerpieces over 3 feet tall!  FUN!