If you work on growing miniature or model projects, like a Nativity, Christmas or Halloween village, or buildings for a gaming terrain or railroad setting, you may need to match paint as you add to your scene from year to year. I try to keep a written record of any paints I use by recording the color number and brand, any custom blends, and the projects they are used on. I also record any artist's mediums or varnishes used on the particular finish.


If possible, I try to keep a card with the paint colors along with any mixing instructions in a small zip lock bag. If I punch a hole at the top of the bag, I can keep it on a ring along with fabric samples, landscaping samples, photos of accessories, or other items that I want to remember from year to year to help the continuity of my display.

One reason I like using small plastic 'flower palettes as paint mixing trays, is that once finished myh project, I can remove the plastic tray cover, allow leftover paint to dry then peel it out of the mixing compartments for cleaning. Those peeled paint samples can be glued to a card to make a valuable paint record if I've forgotten to dab a bit of a custom color on a paint chip for future reference.

While building colors can change and still blend into a larger grouping in a scene, landscaping pieces look best if the colors blend to look like everything is from the same local area. Keeping paint samples of things like faux rockwork, along with notes, and bits of dried landscaping materials helps grow the display in a consistent manner.

This is one more good item to add to the dollhouse record book or a similar book you keep for any other miniature project. The landscaping materials and finishes you use for a village, can be kept on a sample board the same way you keep notes for room interiors. You never know when you'll need the information for repairs or expansion!