LAST MINUTE TIPS

OK, the process sounds simple when you break it down like that.  But there are a few last minute tips you should be aware of that will help make sure you end up with great results:

1.  BE CREATIVE!

• Don't try to make your clouds all look the same--but be careful about varying the TECHNIQUE you used to create them.  You want them to look different, but you don't want them to look like each one was created with a varied or different technique.  Strive for consistency of technique and variance in results!
• Refer to pictures of clouds constantly for shape and formation ideas.

2.  DON'T WORRY IF IT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT IMMEDIATELY!

• With this process, you can usually fix any problem you run into with just a little more dabbing.  If your clouds aren't defined enough, dab more white paint into them.  If they are too solid or too white, you can always feather in some of your original blue to tone them back down.  So don't give up too soon!

3.  TAKE YOUR TIME!

• Unlike some paint projects, there is no paint-related reason to finish the project on a time schedule.  So DON'T RUSH THE PROCESS!  When you rush, you get sloppy.  Remind yourself that there's nothing wrong with doing some work and then calling it a day.  Don't let yourself get sick of the process or your results will show this!

4.  LAY ON THE FLOOR NOW AND THEN....

• This may sound like a joke, but it's not.  Get down off your ladder from time to time and take a long look at your progress!  If you only examine your work from up close, as you apply the clouds, chances are, you're going to miss the bigger picture.  So get off the ladder and look at your clouds from a distance--OFTEN!

5.  GO THE "NO-RISK" ROUTE!

• If you're worried you won't be able to pull this off and you're afraid to start because you don't want to have to paint over everything later...then try this:  instead of painting your ceiling blue at the beginning, start by painting JUST THE POSTER BOARD samples.  Leave your ceiling white and paint those samples and then start making clouds.  Chances are, you'll find you can do it no problem and you can go ahead and get that blue on your ceiling and get started.  But, if you sample on the sheets and just can't make a cloud that looks the way you want it to look...well, maybe this isn't for you.  Put your poster board away, clean up your tools and walk away.  There's no ceiling to repaint and you're only out the money you spent on the sample paints!

6.  FINALLY, HAVE FUN!

• Don't focus too much on perfection and don't allow yourself to get stressed out on this project.  Go slowly if you need to, little bits at a time and just enjoy the process and the transformation.  And by all means, look ahead to the fun you're going to have decorating when you finish!