An invaluable freebie

[berrimasgarden]

Hi Possums
Just thought I would pass on a tip for you all which I have found invaluable. And it was FREE!!
In the paint section of my local hardware chain, Dulux paints had a whole range of sample cards showing different colour schemes for your interior decorating. I took one of each, bought them home and laminated them so they would stand up to time and use. When I need a colour scheme, I just go through them as I did with this card today and just match up my inks etc and voila...all the hard work is done. The only colour I introduced that wasn't on my sample was Adirondack Butterscotch, which I used to just blend in for the accents on the daisy petals. The other inks used were Adirondack Mushroom, Raisin and Bottle. This was also the first time I have made masks for an image so I did have a good time today.
So...next time hubby wants to go to the hardware store, tag along, you never know what you will find, especially in the paint section:lol:

[patiak]

Neat idea Deb! I like your colors, beautiful card. I will have to try to remember to 'tag along' with hubby someday. :) The rare times that I do I usually forget these creative things, stuff I want to look at or for. :rolleyes:

[stampin stacy]

Hardware stores are a great place for us stampers to explore. I have used the paint chip samples to stamp on but your idea of using them as example boards is a terrific one. Punch a hole, put them all on a ring and I'd be good to go. Good thinking :applause:.

btw, I have noticed that hardware stores carry a lot of the cleaning products I use around the house, so be sure to price check them and keep an eye on their ads for sales and always check out their clearance bin for fun crafting goodies.

[piecesandpom]

Love this idea! So much better than my cardstock 'chips' on index cards. Thanks for the tip.

[StamPoor]

A great idea, Deb, but why do we have to wait to tag along with hubby? We can just go to the hardware or home fix-up shops by ourselves. ;)

[Lady Kestrel]

Nice card, Deb, and a good idea! In our local hardware store, I also found small drawer sets and divided containers for acoutrements and a nice wooden tool box just right for stamps, plus hooks, rings, rollers, and brushes. The hardware store is a stamper's friend. :)

[Audreyrose]

Great idea, I sonder if I can find any here? Well we do have an ACE Hardware , so I will take a chance and look!!

[winning714]

That's a beautiful card, Deb and I love your idea. Thank you all for your ideas from the hardware store. Looks like I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow as I spend my day in one of the BIG ones.

Thanks
Linda

[Renee]

Lady Kestral, I LOVE the saying on your post! (When you stumble, make it part of the dance.) I've added it to my l-o-n-g list of thoughts to remember and sometimes use on cards!

Renee Drew,
Temperance, MI

[Renee]

Also, many thanks to Deb for the great tip about going to hardware stores!

[Deb Lovett]

What a great tip, Deb. TFS. Your card is beautiful. Thanks for showing it and the paint sample together. You really made your point well -- especially for those of us who are visual learners.

[Tjputvin]

Fabulous idea, thanks for sharing.

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Tami

[fab]

When I go with hubby I never have time for the craft stuff. It is too hot in the summer to run extra errands but the heat is now dropping a bit and I'm gonna check out those color scheme things. I think I have seen whole booklets of these and never realized what a bonanza they could be.

[piecesandpom]

I was feeling uninspired for my color choice for items for the church holiday fair - like lost mojo big time! I picked up some really nice color swatches at a local Home Depot (despite nasty looks from the clerk). Love this idea and how it's going to help me with some of my 'odds and ends' and use up some cardstock that's been sitting around for a couple of years 'cause I only used it sparingly.

Thanks so much for the suggestion!

[inkkyjo]

hey everyone...if you like tutorials ..then you have to try this site.....it's stampscapes and all other techniques are here.....have a great time....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCQN7qNde6U

[teena]

Another find that I have used before in crafting is the veneer/laminate chips over in the kitchen/bath section...

One lady made keyrings out of them, and another made mini-clipboards... Another made name tags...

Just some thoughts...:)

[inkkyjo]

thanks teena...im going to try that one..sounds fun

[fab]

If you cover the back side with embossing ink and powder and heat you will have a lovely surface you can stamp into while hot. Then the other side is the color chip and looks good too. Probably a good idea to use Stazon for the color side of the chip if you plan to stamp there.

[inkkyjo]

thanks fab, another great idea....i think i will do that too

[piecesandpom]

The paint chip idea for color inspiration is really working for me. I've got a few up in my gallery and have to get some more scanned.

Took a few samples to my stamp club tonight; they had lots of fun reacting to the color choices.

[fab]

I went and looked at the three samples in your gallery and they are all lovely cards. It would be nice if there was a way to see the paint chip that inspired each one.