Top Teacher Balloon Recipe
Three GEO Donut balloons have been cleverly turned into apples, complete with balloon worms sticking out of them. A coordinating mug filled with pencils and a button, and accented with a balloon apple made from a 321Q balloon, holds down the bouquet and will always remind the teacher of this special gift.

This bouquet of balloons really makes the grade with special teachers. It's perfect for National Teacher Day , 1998!		 Ingredients
  • 2 18" "Teachers Are A Class Act - You're The Best" Qualatex® Microfoil® balloons
  • 1 18" "2 Teach Is 2 Touch Lives 4 Ever" Qualatex Microfoil balloon
  • 1 9" "2 Teach Is 2 Touch Lives 4 Ever" Qualatex Microfoil balloon
  • 3 16" Ruby Red Qualatex GEO Donut® balloons
  • 3 11" Citrine Yellow Qualatex latex balloons
  • 2 11" Emerald Green Qualatex latex balloons
  • 6 Emerald Green Qualatex 26OQs
  • 1 Red 321Q/Bee Body Qualatex balloon
  • Artificial Leaf
  • Shred
  • Mug
  • Pencils
  • Button
  • CUP-N-STICK® Balloon Holders
  • Ribbon
  • Cool Glue

Preparation

1) To make the stem and leaf portions of the GEO Donut apples, partially inflate an Emerald Green 260Q balloon with air. While holding the end closed (to not let the air out), bend the inflated portion to make a curve (the leaf). About 4" from the top of the inflated portion, twist several times to create a straight stem. Wrap the uninflated portion of the balloon around the inflated portions and knot closed. Trim off any excess of the balloon. Repeat for two more stems. Set aside.

2) To make the worms, inflate approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of an Emerald Green 260Q. Wrap the uninflated portion around your hand. (The tighter the balloon is wrapped, the smaller and tighter the curl for the end of the worm will be.) Inflate the rest of the 260Q and knot the end. To make the worm's head, grasp the end of the straight portion of the 260Q about an inch down, and twist several times to create a bubble. Repeat for two more worms. Set aside.

3) Insert a worm through the middle of an uninflated Ruby Red GEO Donut. Inflate the GEO with helium, knot closed, and tie to ribbon. Repeat for two more "apples."

4) Glue stems to the tops of the GEO Donuts.

5) Air inflate the 9" Microfoil balloon, attach to a CUP-N-STICK balloon holder and insert into mug.

6) Insert pencil, button, and shred into mug.

7) Helium inflate remaining balloons, attach to ribbon, and tie each balloon separately to the mug.

8) To make the small apple at the base, air inflate a Ruby Red 321Q balloon to 4 inches and tie. Hold the inflated balloon in your left hand with the black stem pointing to your left and the knot pointing to your right. Place your right index finger on the knot and push the knot all the way through the inflated balloon. Grasp the knot firmly with your left hand and carefully remove your right index finger. Twist the balloon several times at the point between the knot and the inflated balloon. Push the knot into the balloon and release it.

9) Cool glue artificial leaf to 321Q apple and glue apple to mug.

Photo and instructions courtesy of Balloon Images magazine, a Qualatex® publication.