Hi friends! I had a kids painting class a couple of weeks ago with kids ages 4-12 so of course I gave them big sheets of paper and “good” tube watercolor paint to use. The nice paper was inexpensive white sulphite drawing paper that holds up well to watercolor for kids (no lifting paint though) and the “good” paint was Royal & Langnickle tube watercolors which are lovely and vibrant but student grade (hey, they get to feel like real artists and I do not have to worry about the cost or the kids using toxic chemicals. win-win.) The kids also got to use “good” brushes and not the awful plastic ones that come in kids sets so they were really happy. So I told them that they were all artists using the same stuff my adult students used and it was important to keep the colors bright and fresh and to rinse out the brush between colors and they actually did it! At the end of the class looking at all of the usable paint left in the palette I did not have the heart to rinse it down the drain so I did this instead:
Video!
Basically free spray inks! I use these to color paper, with stencils and for dyeing ribbon for crafts, not for items you will launder though. You are probably wondering why I did not let them dry in the palette and use them again, well 2 reasons, 1. they are student grade and they would want to dry out and crack and fall out of the wells eventually and 2. I did not have a place to store them as the palettes do not have lids. So, what do you think? Was this a good use of leftover paint or a waste of time? Let me know in the comments! Happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
I think it is a great idea. If you could add something to the sprays to give a shimmer as well it would be fabulous.
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YOU ARE GGGRRREAT! I enjoy all you do!
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I like your tips and vids – now I’d like to see how you use the paint. Keep up the inspirational tips and thanks for sharing
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A good idea, especially for you as you use so many things and can really make good use of it.
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Love that you are frugal. I think that putting the leftover paint in a spray bottle was a great idea.
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I think it’s a great idea! I would have done the same thing! I hate to waste anything! It just takes a few extra minutes to save and do things like this! So many people nowadays are so lazy that they take the easy way out instead of the frugal way if it involves taking a few extra steps! Have a blessed day.. Hugs!
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Love it!
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I so enjoy all you do and love your tips. You are soooo talented and a joy to watch. Thanks
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Great idea. I love all your videos.
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yep……………..another WINNER!
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Great idea and I know you’ll do something worthwhile with the paints, even if you’re just using them in other classes.
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I think it was a fabulous Idea! Way to go 😉
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Think it’s a wonderful idea to use up left over paints! Hugs Liz x
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I know this question really has nothing to do with this but I have heard you mention it before but I forgot to write it down but I am wondering what do you like using for a craft mat?
Thank you for the Stampin’ Up referral I have heard from her and will be ordering soon.
Thanks for all your tips and videos I love them all. You are a very talented person. You are very helpful and very informative.
I have watched other videos of other people and was so bored but your videos never bore me. They are always very interesting and full of information.
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it depends, I like using my DIY blotter for stuff like ths or a silicone oven liner because it wipes up well. I also have an old grey cutting mat on my table. Sometimes I use an old glass chessboard. it really depends on what I am making.
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Great idea, I have done it myself, and it works well as a background wash, for a really great effect paint something in water, then spray just three of the primary colours, where the water was you get some amazing results as the colours blend.
Not to frugal at all…..keep it up x
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I think this idea is fabulous!
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Very practical! I try not to waste anything either. You could also use it as coloring in making paper….
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NEVER too frugal, Lindsay! This is a terrific idea. Well done. And well done the kids, keeping the colours separate so nicely too. I am sure they really appreciated the fact you gave them good materials to use, which made them take more care, too. What a great teacher you are.
I always clean off any remaining paint from my palette and brushes onto large sheets of scratch paper and let the colours build up – I usually try and keep separate sheets for different colourways, and end up with papers that can be used for backgrounds, and if I don’t want to use them I use them as photographic backgrounds for when I photograph my projects, and I have different colour schemes to choose from, to suit each project. I hate waste! So much paint is simply washed down the sink and that is so wrong!!
Shoshi
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GREAT idea!!!
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Yes, good idea! Especially since you will actually use them.
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Another wonderful idea Lindsey. I would rather people laugh at my thriftiness than cry at my extravagances:)
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I don’t think it’s to frugal at all….not unless you could reuse the palette again ..and to put them in spray bottles is super fun idea…tfs
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This is a great idea! I like that you are saving them in spray bottles that you already had (I have them too), and not feel like you had to use up the paint the same day so as not to waste it.
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I love your ideas. I am a recent follower. I am so impressed with your easy to follow videos. You are a delight to watch.
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I think it is a wonderful idea and no you are not being too frugal. I would love to be close enough to take some of your classes. Thanks for sharing all of you projects.
Linda D.
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Great! I thought you were going to say you saved the paper!
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Very Frugle of you ! Great idea … Waste not , want not ! Of course there is a point when I guess it could be considered hoarding … As in my case of saving WAY TOO MANY cardstock & paper scraps. I guess it’s just a matter of storage space . But I do hate to throw away usable arts & crafts stuff !!
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WOW!! What a great idea.
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i love it did you have your kids clean them off when they where done using that color ?
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Umm. Not sure it’s actually frugal. Your time is worth money too. Did what you saved actually exceed what you could have made on a painting or cards or a video made in that same amount of time? But there’s the fun factor to consider. I say frugal or not, if you enjoy it, go for it.
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Great idea…would love to see a video on how you use the spray bottles in a painting! Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge with us!😀😀
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How did you pour the paint out of the palettes into the cups without the other colors pouring out too?
And how can I prevent the paint from molding if I don’t use it up soon enough?
Every time I am at my art class and mix up SUCH a wonderful color and end up having to rinse remains down the drain I wish I knew how to transport it back home. Now thanks to you I do!
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I think it is a SMART and great idea!!!!!
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Wonderful idea! I hate waste!
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Great idea! Frugal is Fabulous!
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