How to Use Paint Sample Chips

If you have recently redecorated a room in your home or painted the outside of your house, it is highly likely that you acquired some paint chips along the way. These miniature paint samples are helpful when choosing just the right color. The colorful little decorating tools are so pretty that it might seem a shame to throw them away. Why should you, when there are so many creative ways to use them?

Things You'll Need

• Paint chips
• Picture frame
• Scissors
• Acrylic sealant
• Glue
• Tassles
• Clear contact paper

Instructions

1. Cut squares of similar or complementary hues from your paint samples. Glue the squares onto a flat picture frame. You can adhere them side by side, glue them on at different angles, or overlap them. Be as creative as you dare. If desired, coat with a clear acrylic sealant.

2. Use them as bookmarks. Cover with clear contact paper cut slightly larger than the paint chip. Punch a hole near the top and tie a tassle through it. These make fun stocking stuffers as well. Or cut them smaller and use them as tags for other gifts.

3. Draw a design or picture onto a small table, such as a patio, cafe or tray table. Cut the paint chips into interesting shapes and glue inside the drawing in a mosaic design. Top with acrylic coat to seal. Try this with other pieces of furniture or flat surfaces, too.

4. Cut small circles or other shapes out of several different paint samples. Use the disks as wine glass name tags at your next party. Simply hook them to your guests' glasses using small key rings or similar bits of metal. Write each guest's name on his or her tag. Then all you need to do is throw them away at the end of the evening.

5. Add them to your child's craft box (or your own). Your kids will have creative fun cutting shapes out of the colorful cards and gluing them onto their artwork.

Tips & Warnings

• Use paint chips in all of your paper projects.

• Ask at your local paint or hardware store if they have any outdated chips they do not need.

• Don't take an excessive amount of paint chips just to use for craft projects. Although they are free to you, they cost the store that stocks them.

• Paint chips probably aren't acid free, so be careful using them in scrapbooking projects.

Resources

• Paint chip card holder