Instructions - Balloon Hippo

[Fitzwilly]

Balloon Hippo Instructions
By Bonnie Davis

Hippo: Uses 1- 260 (inflated to within 5" of nipple end) and 1- 6" heart (inflated a bit less than half way).
Here is the series of sizes for all the bubbles except for the last 4 belly bubbles and tail bubble.
1", 1.5", 0.5", 2", 0.5", 1.5"(head) 2", 2" (front legs) 3" belly, 2", 2" (legs)

The rest is divided into 5 bubbles, four of which are belly bubbles. To attach each set of bubbles, make a set (like in photo #4) then just wrap it around the joint between the head and legs, then back to wrap around the hind legs. The first set of bubbles are a bit shy of 2", the second set, after a tail bubble is made, just equal parts of what is left. If they are they smallest belly bubbles, they go on top, if they are the largest, they go on the side. (There is no bird body roll through method here. I avoid that method 99% of the time) Then to keep the hippo from looking like he is running, gently push the bottom belly bubble (try saying that 3 times fast! lol) part way between each set of legs. When you blow up the heart balloon, you can go ahead and tie the knot, but please note the next picture with just the heart balloon. The air has been squished closer to the lobes of the heart, not dramatically, but just enough to give it a gentle form. Looks like a jelly bean with a nozzle sticking out. That little trick is the key to this hippo design. If you miss up the shape of the heart balloon, the cuteness factor is gone. You can even have a skinny hippo with this face and people will still love it. (Be sure to tuck the nozzles into the face to hide them) If you have not tied the heart balloon tight enough to hug the face, just simply start twisting the heart round and round until the slack is taken up.