So I'm not a builder at all... seeing all the cool stuff you guys build is awesome!

A buddy of mine from high school is a cabinet builder. I hadn't seen him in about 8 years, and we reconnected and he wanted to give a try at building me a few props. I decided to pick something easier for the first, and he is building "Blueprinted" from the Osborne Easy Build Illusions book.

Here is a pic he sent me today. Just thought some of you might find it interesting.

Hmmmm... apparently the upload doesn't work for me...

here's a link...

What's the effect, is it an over- the -head puppet show?

Hahahaha!!!

Jay, yes, that's exactly what it is... haha. Just kidding. It's a vanishing mid-section type effect. Here is the description from the book - I tried to scan the page, but it didn't come out well -

"The combination of Richard Simmon's 'Deal a Meal' and a Bamberg illusion is somewhat unlikely, but guess what? The magician announces that he has invented a weight loss machine... An audience volunteer is selected and asked to lay down on a small table. The machine is put over her and the magician points out the blueprint on the front for weight loss. He opens a top door and begins to remove (list of food items). The front door is opened and she has...lost weight. As a matter of fact - her middle is missing."

There's some of the rather lengthy text. It's basically a big periscope.

Modeled then after a U.F. Grant headless illusionette. I assume we are seeing the back view in the photo?

Yes sir, that's what it is. He is putting it together in his spare time for me. Last time I talked to him he was painting the inside black.

I have six osborne books and about ten or twelve illusion plans, so I'm hoping this turns out to be a fruitful relationship, haha.

Even though it seems somewhat cumbersome to travel with, this appears to be a very practical illusion with very little that could go wrong. I'm sure it will produce great reactions.

I hope so. I only do about 4-6 illusion shows a year. I'd like to up that number to 10-12 by 2014. I just sold four of the seven illusions I owned, so getting some replacements going.