Friday, December 6, 2013

Organizational {Friday} Ink Swatches Revisited

Years ago I created a swatch book that kept all of my ink swatches. Click here to see that post. I love that swatch book and have used it well. The problem has become that I have gotten so many more inks and I could not easily move around color swatches to keep them in "color order" when adding a new ink. I also had swatch sheets for each manufacturer. I knew I needed something that I could easily add, move, compare, and remove swatches as needed. This all led me to today's "swatch re-do."

I love my embossing folder swatches so I thought this would be a great way to also organize my ink swatches. If you missed that post, click here. Using my embossing folder swatches as my example, here is what I came up with for my ink swatches.

Swatch Cards
I knew when creating the swatch cards that I wanted to use white cardstock so I would get accurate color swatches. I also didn't want to use my expensive cardstock so I went with the Neenah Bright White cardstock. I purchased a ream inexpensively at amazon.com here. I have had this ream of cardstock for a while, and I use it for many things.

I cut the cardstock into 2 1/4" x 2 7/8" pieces. I then grabbed my inks and began making swatches. First, I swiped the paper across the ink giving me a strip of color. I wasn't neat about it at all. I then used a stamp I purchased at Hobby Lobby to stamp the image. I like this stamp because it has both cursive and print. I thought it was a good representation of how the ink stamps. The stamp is made by Stampabilities and cost $3.99. I of course waited until Hobby Lobby had their stamps on sale then purchased it. I think I paid a little over $2 for it. Cute isn't it?

After stamping the image, I then wrote the manufacturer and color name on the bottom of the card. If I have the reinker, I also put a letter 'R' with a circle around it. Now it is very easy for me to tell if I have a reinker for my ink pads. Once the card was created, I put it in my container.

The Container
I had a 7Gypsies Mini ATC Library drawer in my studio that I was not using. I decided this would be perfect for the swatch cards. 
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Here is what I store in each section:

Section 1: yellow, orange, pink, and red swatches
Section 2: green, teal, blue, and purple swatches

Section 3: brown, grey, and black swatches
Section 4: blank cards, a tag with the size of the cards typed out so it's easy to cut more, the "just because" stamp, and ink refresher.

I didn't put tabs identifying what was in each section because the colors look so pretty. I didn't want to cover up the color. It's also very easy to see the cards I want to grab and look through.

I put this tray on my art journaling table right next to where I store my inksin the Stampin' Things units I have. Here is an older picture of my unit. The art journaling table is not in this photo. I couldn't get a new photo yesterday as we have had very dark, cloudy, and foggy days this week. I like having the swatch cards right next to the inks. It makes it all very simple to refer to and use.

Doing this project helped me rediscover some inks I have not used in a while. I know I will get much more use out of all of my inks now that I have swatches of them all in an easy-to-use format. I hope you have found this helpful. Enjoy!

9 comments:

CourtneyB said...

Patter, the swatch cards look amazing!!!!! I'm going to have to try this, though it won't look nearly as impressive. (;

Unknown said...

Beautiful way to do your ink swatch cards. I think I will create similar cards for inks - never thought of doing those before. Space is pretty premium here, so I use trading card books (the little ones from the dollar store for football size cards) to store my embossing folders and will do another for ink swatches. Then they fit into my bag that goes with me shopping to help me avoid buying duplicates. Thanks for a fun tip!

Stephanie said...

What a great idea. I liked your other version, and have used that idea for my own stamps. However, like you, I found it frustrating to not be able to easily add new colors and keep them "in order." I love your organizational tips. Even when I can't use it exactly as you do, it sometimes sparks a variation that does work for me.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Stephanie---my "inventory" is not as extensive as yours, and includes different items, but some semblance of order makes it much easier to group and find the myriad details that I use. Thanks, Patter! Jennifer in OHio

KellyRae said...

I use a similar swatch method but on a binder ring. I LOVE how you added the stamped cursive/printed text sample on your card as well. Tip for you - you might consider adding additional notes on the swatch, for example on my swatch in addition to a circled 'r' for the refill I also include a circled 'm' if I have the matching marker. I also include the Copic color (if there is one), the RGB code (if known), the Prismacolor pencil color, and the matching cardstock (Bazzill, DCWV, SU, etc.) colors. Thanks for sharing your organizational tips - they keep me motivated :)

Cindy Coutts @ Cindy B Designs said...

Hi sweetie. I spent about 6 hours going back on your blog about a year. I can't believe the girls are already 19 and off to college! I am now an empty nester myself. I love your Scripture challenge and Blue Fern sketches. I am not very good at this kind of stuff but I'm going to give it a try. Pray for me!

You are such a Godly woman and your blog has always been uplifting to me.

Blessings my friend,
Cindy

Rae said...

I love this idea, Miss Patter! You are a genius! I'm soooo doing this with a library drawer! Hugs! Rae

Elizabeth said...

Great idea! I know i"m going to integrate this into my scrappping room somehow. I don't have such a cute storage item, but that can be remedied! Thanks for the indspiration.

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