Any way to exclude a product variant out of a prod var combination when setting stock

Hi there
(Using Nop 1.6)

I am loading boxes (3 different colors on which I maintain stock on prod var attribute level) and I also need the customer to choose a lid (14 different lids on which I maintain stock on prod var attribute level)

I defined the color as a product attribute and updated the stock using the the attribute combination tab, it worked great.

I then added my lids as product attributes but now the attribute combination tab is forcing me to create combinations with the boxes when entering stock.  I want to maintain these stock levels independent of each other.  How do I exclude the color attribute when setting up stock for the lid product attribute.

Please help