I am also looking into making a full bodied puppet for this semester. I was wondering what to make the body out of? I am doing it big bird style so i already know how to do the head

My inexperience may be showing, but for big bird I would do the head, and then a giant "sleeve" neck that goes past your chest to your belly area and sew the sleeve to a foam cylinder.

Just wondering how everyone's project turned out I am interested in making this style of puppet and was hoping to hear how it all worked out for you.

take a look at my album Chuck you can see mine, he is very hot to wear. Since the pic has taking somewhat of a beating from being worn and I brought him to camp last summer where he was well loved. All minor things that can be fixed.

That is awesome. I like head design. the body looks solid but it needs spots or scales or something,  The body does look insanely hot though is that thick foam for the body. I was thinking of putting athletic fabric or mesh over an opening in the top of the head for my design.
Has anyone built off football shoulder pads as a base for a larger head?

Ha ha. I just saw your professor livingston.  That fella is awesome, keep up the great work.

Has anyone built off football shoulder pads as a base for a larger head?

Haven't used it as a base for the head particularly but they do work really well for fleshing out a body of a costume character. Did one for a high school where budget was limited and they where not sure who would be wearing it. Could be an adult or kid. We decided to simply make a simple jumpsuit of sorts then have them wear foot ball pads under it along with either the foot ball uniform or basket ball uniform depending on time of year.  Worked out pretty well.  It also made everything easily washable by them.