Like most of you, I’m sure, I tend to go through a lot of paint chips when trying to decide on a color to paint a room. And when the project is done, I toss the paint chips into a box I keep in my craft room. They are the perfect “I’ll use these one day” items, right? Well I stumbled upon the box a few days ago and realized just how many I’d collected over the years.
Oh the memories this pile brings back! There are the numerous shades of tan that I went through when painting the kitchen. The blues and purples that I considered for the master bedroom and the greens we ended up with. And the rainbow samples from a toy chest project. Oh, and the hardest color of all to select was the burgundy we used in our living room — I went through so much paint trying to find the perfect color! (The winner was “Japanese Maple” by Martha Stewart, in case you’re wondering)
No matter how I got this collection, I knew it was time to finally do something with them. I decided to cuz them into pieces and create mosaic greeting cards. Oh boy, was this a fun project, and I am so happy with the results. Here, let me cut to the chase and just show you what I created.
Can you believe those were made from plain white cardstock
First I cut some ordinary 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock in half crosswise, then folded it. This created a great note card size that’s a perfect fit for a standard 4 3/8″ x 5 3/4″ invitation envelope. Then I sorted my paint chips into color families and selected sets of coordinating chips for each card.
For the square mosaic design, I grabbed a bunch of smoky blue paint chips and cut them into 1 inch squares. I used a ruler and craft knife to cut the squares, but it would have gone a LOT faster if I’d used a square paper punch! Once I had the squares cut, I just arranged them in a grid on the card and glued them in place. The finished card reminds me so much of the jeans quilt I made.
For the green card, I cut all my green paint chips into strips of random widths. Then I just lined them up on the card wherever they looked right and glued them down. This card was so fast and simple to make, but I just love the results.
For the orange card, I took the same strip idea but turned it on an angle. I started with two yellow squares in the middle and then put strips of red, orange, and yellow in the background.
I spent a lot of time on the final card. I took all of my rainbow colors, two shades of each, and cut them into triangle shapes. I fitted the pieces together, cutting and trimming where necessary, until I had a mosaic pattern with the colors blending from left to right. I absolutely love this card, but it took forever to make so I doubt I’ll ever be able to give it away!
By the way, if you’re wondering what my desk looked like after making these cards, here’s a peek. It’s a mess, but kinda awesome at the same time, don’t you think? Those little blue squares you see scattered around are from my favorite adhesive for paper crafts — photo splits. You can always tell exactly how much fun I’m having in my craft room by the number of little blue backing papers all over the floor!
Here are the cards again, all finished.
Of course, you could use this technique with any colored paper, but I just love the fact that they were made with paint chips that would otherwise be headed for the trash. If you really want to make it clear what materials you used on the card, you can cut a little strip from one of the paint chips and glue it on the back, with a message.
I am so in love with these cards!
49 comments so far:
Wow, I love this idea!
These are SO gorgeous! But I would NEVER have the patience. (Which is weird, since I love Tetris…)
Thanks Grace!
Kelli, with the exception of the triangle mosaic, the cards only took a few minutes each to create. The green striped one was the easiest and could be done with a million different color combinations. (And I love Tetris too!)
Hmm, the possibilities are endless. You’re right; I just might have to give this a try.
What a terrific idea. Normally I do not keep paint chips…I guess i will start to now
awesome idea for the classroom! Students will love it and doesn’t cost a ton!
karen, that’s a great idea for a classroom activity. Kids can learn about colors and recycling at the same time
These are truely beautiful! I love all the colors!
I am having a crafty competition with Paint samples that I would love to have you enter this project in!
Check it out here:
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2010/08/iron-crafter-round-4-paint-samples.html
Wow! These look great!
I absolutely love these! What a fun idea!
Thanks, ladies! It’s a really easy idea, too, with unlimited possibilities
I justed wanted to let you know that you made the Top Ten on the Iron Crafter!
Check it out here:
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2008/08/iron-crafter-paint-samples-top-ten-come.html
Good Luck!!
These look great! I’ll hvae to start collecting paint chips.
Lovely idea,I just love it.
Oh My Honk. How ubber talented you are. I’m loving the triangle card to pieces. What a fabulous job.
Thank you so much for sharing your genius idea.
Polly, it only takes a few to make a card.
FawnDear, thanks so much. That one is my favorite, too!
What a great idea, it’s so graphic and modern looking!
Hi
Great idea for paint swatches, I have been using my scrap paper to do this. but I like your idea because they are free and the paint swatches are thicker.
thanks Marlene
I love this idea. I think I might make a few big one to hang on my wall for a “head board” effect!
What about using the double stick tape (from your photo cube project) in place of glue? Is one more effective than the other?
Stacy, if you ever make that headboard, we’d love to see it! You could certainly use double stick tape instead of glue. It’s really up to personal preference and what you happen to have on hand.
Well I completed my “headboard” made out of paint chips. I have a king size bed so I took 1 piece of poster board and cut it in half so I ended up 2 pieces 28″ long and 11″ tall. I used a glue stick as the tape sheets are not very forgiving!! Once finished I did use the double stick tape sheets to hang on the wall then used my Japanese Washi masking tape as a border on the wall then used another wider tape as a “frame”. I will post on your flicker group as soon as I figure out how to do that!!
Stacy, congrats for finishing the headboard! We’d love to see a photo. If you have a hard time with Flickr, you can e-mail it to us and we’ll post it for you
Stacy shared some photos of her paint chip headboard. It turned out so well! http://www.flickr.com/photos/59279321@N07/5428211698/in/pool-918858@N21/
Oh my goodness, Stacy. I love that!
As a Feng Shui consultant I am working with color ALL of the time. Not only will this idea help me to recycle old paint chips it can be an amazing use of Feng Shui color to gift to people I care about!
You know, using some shaped punches to make lots of interesting shapes in different colors could be also a fun way to approach this project.
That’s a great idea, Michele!
Great idea!!!! And you can get paint chips anytime at most home stores!
Those look beautiful! I can’t wait to give this a try.. going to have to be sneaky and get some paint chips
What type of glue did you use?
Renorr, I’m afraid I don’t remember what glue I used, but you can use whatever adhesive you’re comfortable with using
These are seriously awesome! What a great idea, and they are so colorful, love it!
Thanks, Amanda, love your site!
I’ve been doing this for years! So glad to see others are too! Great for seasonal cards!!!!
So many beautiful shades of colors… they don’t mind me taking samples at the paint department of Lowe’s and Home Depot!!! Haven’t tried any other stores, though.
Kris, would love to see some of your designs! You can email us or add them to our Flikr group.
I was going to make a card like this for mothers day… Then I remembered my Mom threw away my paint chips while she was cleaning….
What a wonderful idea!!
Great idea! The best thing is that you could do it will all kinds of paper: Old Pictures, Old cards, Newspaper, Gift Bags, Scrapbooking leftovers!
I LOVE this! Can’t wait to rush out and get some paint chips to make these! I also just noticed that there is a flickr group for these cards and I’m going to check it out for inspiration! Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Oops. Just noticed that the flickr group is for something else, but lots of inspiration there too!
I just stumbled on this project at StumbleUpon and I think it’s fantastic. We have so many paint chips laying around the house because every time we visit hardware store my kids have the need to bring home full pockets.
Bibi, welcome to the site, and I hope you stick around! Maybe you can have your kids make their birthday cards for their friends with the paint chips they bring home
what a great idea!
I love these!! The triangle one is my favorite too, but they are all lovely!
Yes – I too have kept them all – now to find the time!……….
I really like the triangle one.
Wow, what a great idea and the color possibilities are endless…Thanks!
oh wow!!! So excited about trying this out! The possiblititys are ENDLESS!
Good idea!LOVE the good idea!
Great idea!