EPT
I have been back for a week now. Still trying to get back to life as normal. It was a whirlwind adventure to say the least.
I arrived on Tue. the 29th of Jan. and came back Mon. the 4th of Feb. Since I had gotten in a bit early I was able to check out the other balloon convention that was running the days leading up to Twist & Shout www.balloonconvention.com, called Float. It was geared towards balloon decor (arches,columns,balloon drops etc.) stuff I am also learning I just could not afford 10 days of balloon convention or the reg. fees.... I was able to check out the amazing decor some of the decor industry leaders had done for the Hotel lobby and breeze ways etc. Samples not my work.
******Not My Work***** Not My Work***** Not My Work************
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/DhXcyo2.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ZxYCcWy.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ldKg7Pn.jpg)
*************Not My work ^^^^^^^Not My Work ^^^^^^^^^^^ Not My Work ^^^^^^^
The plan was to take as many classes as I could and learn as much as possible... I ended up spending all of my time sometimes for 27 hours or more at a time in the Jam room Oo...Thursday was the long day.. While hanging out playing around with an idea for a head design I meet a couple people and we ended up deciding to collaborate together on a large comp. entry. This was happening while that was going on+ Show Spoiler + (story on me!!)
Little did I know I would be up until 4:30-5 pm on Friday after a Thursday 8 am wake up, building stuff for Small, Medium and now a Large collab. haha.
Here are my entries for small, med, and the Large collaboration..Ill just link for any other pictures from there ( better pictures of the work then I was able to get)
These are mine (Large piece I helped with the structure/swamp/and did the Swamp Creature)
Small
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/yx6FRsz.jpg)
Meduim
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/UDUrPZU.jpg)
Large
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7seX8B9.jpg)
T&S 2013 Photo link
http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/ts2013/
After that it was just fun fun fun.. not that building was not fun it was. But after the awards banquet (no wins for me I also entered into the 3 min. and 12 min. comp) A few of us did all 4 of the Ninja Turtles!!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PGy5CBO.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/1ItwDqS.jpg)
We slacked off a bit towards the end on these.. It was late and we had to go swimming in the indoor/outdoor swimming pool (heated) in the Fucking SNOW!! WTF I am from the desert that rocked...The aussies were even more impressed... jumping out to roll in the snow in just their boxers/tighty whiteys and then jump back into the pool(at 5:30am haha)( the hotel closed the pool early the rest of the time we were there)
A Highlight for me was going to a magic shop in STL called Ickle Pickle's and it is run by a magician Steve Bender out of his basement. It had little mini Isles and so much magic I bought a few things and was able to hang out with two of my favorite Magician/Ballonists from London Graham Lee and Danny The Idiot !!And Our wonderful host local celeb. Donna "Spunky Beans" Wiles . Magic, lunch and seeing St. Charles!!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/TyoyCDE.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Q0mb6aj.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/NVVOIK3.jpg)
Overall Even with not winning I really feel Like I made my presence known this year and have been able to make many connections and hopefully inroads into a world that I hope wont take me too far from this community I also have a passion and love for you all!!<3 A few more pics!!! all these are my stuff from the convention.... and yes my name in yellow snow!!!!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/4ZL6j3j.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pPO95iB.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/aHFvGye.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3FWkRR7.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mTq6txb.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/gwE8v5G.jpg)
Editing in a couple details and a great song!! This was my anthem at T&S hahah
