The Basics

• A Cloud 9 balloon cluster consists of nine colored balloons and one clear balloon. Eight colored balloons are inflated and tied together in two layers of four balloons each. The ninth colored balloon is slipped inside the clear balloon. Both are inflated and tied to make one piece, which is placed on top of the cluster.
  
  

Making the Cluster

• Purchase nine 11-inch latex balloons in wedding colors or party colors and one 16-inch clear latex balloon. Using helium, inflate four of the colored balloons and knot them at the necks. Tie the balloons together into a four-petal flower shape using clear monofilament thread or fishing line. Repeat this step with another four colored balloons. Place one four-balloon cluster on top of the other and join them together at the necks with more clear thread or fishing line, bringing it out at the bottom of the lower cluster and leaving a long tail to attach to a weight.
  
  With the eraser end of a pencil, a plastic crochet hook or the end of an artist's brush, push the uninflated ninth colored balloon inside the uninflated clear balloon. Inflate the colored balloon and knot the neck. Hold it to one side while you inflate the clear balloon, then knot both balloon necks together. Tie a long piece of clear thread or line to the necks and attach the other end to the middle of the eight-balloon cluster, adjusting the height so that the clear/colored balloon floats above the rest. Tie the long tail of thread or line from the bottom cluster to a weight.
  
  

Embellishments

• After the balloon cluster is assembled, add wide ribbon in a wedding or party color by passing it through the middle of the joined balloons and tying a knot, allowing the ends of the ribbon to hang down below the cluster. Or use a strip of tulle rather than ribbon.
  
  Join several Cloud 9 clusters with a drape of ribbon or tulle. Measure the distance between clusters and add one yard to allow for draping. Knot the ribbon or tulle around the center of one balloon cluster, drape it and knot the other end through the center of the second cluster.