I have a birthday party for twins this weekend; a boy and a girl. The family has two parties in one, so the theme for the girl is "dogs" and the theme for the boy is "Star Wars".

Can anyone give me easy-to-follow instructions on balloon sculptures for something "Star Wars" and also, a fancy dog (not the everyday easy dog) that I can take to these children?

Remember, I am quite challenged when it comes to ballooning. I make only about 10 things, all with basically the same twists ... but I would like to take these with me to give to the children when I get there, so I can do them at home with step-by-step instructions. I really need some pictures, if possible. A friend of mine sent me something, but I have no clue what it means.

Can anyone please help me with these two things before Saturday (September 22)?

I truly appreciate any information that would help. Thanks!!

Nettie, if you get a chance to drop by the store or one of our Wed. night get togethers I'll do my best to help you. There is a light saber and Yoda hat that I learned from Don Caldwell that isn't too difficult.

A dog I get a lot of positive feedback on is the dalmation. Use a white balloon, make a regular basic dog, draw spots with Sharpie marker.

I know a simple spaceship made out of 2 balloons.

First balloon keeps 3 inch uninflated. Start with a tulliptwist. 1 1/2 inch bubble. 1 inch bubble pinchtwist. 1 1/2 ich bubble. 1 inch bubble pinchtwist. Now with the rest of the balloon you make a cirkel c.q. very big flowertwist leaving a very small bubble at the end. This circle will be the front of the spaceship

Second balloon leave about 4 inch uninflated. Start with a tulliptwist. Then about 5 inch. 1 inch pinchtwist. 6 inch. 1 inch pinchtwist. 5 inch. and lastly another tulliptwist. (making a knot at the end will make the tulliptwist a little bit easier)

Connect the two balloons by taking the 6 inch bubble of the second balloon and make them in 2 3 inch bubbles and connect it between the first 1 1/2 inch bubble and the first pinchtwist bubble you made in the first balloon.

I hope you can figure out what I mean and you can manage with tulliptwists.

I wish I'd be around in September, but alas... late again!

Anyway, I have some links to Star Wars balloons I use - below are the links...

Darth Vader Helmet and Light Saber (http://http://www.balloonhq.com/column/caldwell/jun05/) try putting one of the big (22") glow sticks inside of your lightsabers for added effect.

X-Wing Fighter (http://www.balloonhq.com/twistmail/upto12Feb97/mail.a006Yy) instrictions only - no photos

An alternate light saber design (http://www.guinelli.com/balloons/lichtzwaard.html) with photos

Another Darth Vader (http://www.balloonhq.com/column/mphilo/oct05/), also a turtle mask that could be made into a Yoda mask with a little work... some decent clown balloons here too...