The inspiration for this segment came from planning my youngest daughters’ birthday party. I was looking for something to do for decorations that could be used inside or outside. Having a birthday at the end of March can be tricky when it comes to planning for inside or outside activities. I wanted something that could be moved at a moments notice depending on the weather. A balloon column is what I came up with !!
With a baggie of latex balloons and a bit of curling ribbon we had a balloon column!! The video has 7″ balloons in the column and the column in the photo below has 11″. The 11″ were just too big to work with on the set at the TV station. I did use my husbands’ air compressor to blow them up. But that is because I didn’t have a bicycle pump, hand pump, air mattress pump or strong lungs. (Darn you asthma!)
What was not entirely clear in the video was the wrapping of the ribbon. Just start at the bottom by tying it onto the center of the balloon ‘X’, place the next ‘X’ on top and go over and under each of the balloons. Kiersten said it right that it is like weaving. If you mess it up it is no big deal. As long as you have it going around at least one balloon you should be secure. You are going to want to pull the ribbon so that the ribbon is tight against the knot or center of the ‘X’. It truly is easy peasy.
If you want your balloons to float get a helium tank. If you want and arch just make a HUGE column and anchor each end to the ground.
Here is a photo from the birthday party. The reason it is leaving over is #1, there is no helium. And #2 I didn’t have it tied to anything at the bottom. By tying it to something like a bean bag you are going to keep it more centered and thus you will have a less chance of it leaning. Happy column making!!!
