One down, two to go...

               

Here you can see just about the entire entranceway ceiling of Apartment Building #1,  of the 3 apartment buildings I will be doing.  All three will be identical.  This is the Rattan stencil design (XL size) from the Stencil Library.  This is the stencil I was talking about the other day, that was too large for me to handle doing this ceiling solo, so I cut in in 2 pieces.  I am still mourning that decision, as I hate to cut my stencils, knowing full well I will wish I did not do so when I want to use it for another project.  Well, it's a done deed and cutting it did allow me to get the job done.  I love this design.  I used a brown paint mixed with a pearl glaze.  The pearl glaze just really softened the brown a bit and did not give it a metallic look.  This picture is actually pretty true to color!   
          
             

This is a little closer look.  I may end up putting a 1" brown border around it all, leaving a 1" or 2" border of the blue/green color in between.   I'm going to have Marc take a look at it and decide what he wants me to do.  I can easily add that when I return to do the other buildings.  I don't think the next apartment building will be ready for me until about 3 weeks.  In the meantime, the contractors are all very busy working in the Clubhouse.  My work in that building may begin before the next apartment building is ready.  I'm hoping by the time the next 2 apartment buildings are ready, I will be very busy with other jobs and be able to hire an assistant to knock these last 2 off.  Because I had such a hard time getting the stencils that I used on the wallpaper to stick, it would be helpful to have an extra set of hands.  Also, it would be very nice to have help with the ceilings... so keep your fingers crossed for me that I may be able to hire some help! 

On another note... I am working with a new client to do some fun painting in a day care center that is a 5 minute walk from my house!  Last week when I was out for my evening walk, I discovered that a former martial arts center had gone out of business and the sign taped to the door said a new day care center was opening.  I peeked in and could see it was still very much under construction.  The next morning I was on the phone to the owner to see if I could get in on some action here.  We met,  immediately liked each other, and started planning what could be done.  Melissa, the owner, is a very savvy young business woman and busy Mom to 2 young children.  This will be her 2nd day care center and she is already looking at a 3rd space because she is completely filled!  I will be posting more about this job over the next few weeks.  Other than those bubbles in the boys bedroom and bathroom in the Big House Job, I have not done a children's themed room, in what seems... ages!  Oh, I did do that chalkboard wall, but that does not really count.