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Gender Neutral Sympathy Card Challenge with Color Insight
Gender Neutral Sympathy Card
Happy Wednesday! Today’s post addresses a situation that everyone confronts at one time or another. Death. A sympathy card conveys kindness and concern, love and support during a difficult time. It brings comfort during the grieving process. But they can be challenging to make, especially if you’re also grieving. Grief is not conducive to creativity. And since the need typically arises unexpectedly, I find they’re best to have on hand before you need them.
So I set out to create a sympathy card that is gender neutral, attractive without being too “artsy” (explanation to follow) and most important, comforting. It also needed to be simple and easy to create so I could make several at a time. Today’s card ticks off all those boxes!
Insight from the Experienced
A friend who lost her husband several years ago recently shared with me the importance of an appropriate looking sympathy card. While she appreciated the thoughtfulness of all the cards she’d received, some affected her more positively than others. Emotions were raw and she was most comforted by those that were simple and soothing. She’s now really careful in her selection of a card for someone else grieving. Nothing bright, artsy or fussy. She felt very strongly about this. Words of wisdom from someone that’s been there.
The Psychology of Color
Without realizing it, part of what she was referring to was the psychology of color. We all know different colors evoke different feelings. Red is considered a “warm” color, often associated with fire. NOT an appropriate color for a sympathy card, right? So what color would be the best choice? Here’s a little insight from colormatters.com.
Light (sky) blue: (associated with) peace, serenity, ethereal, spiritual, infinity
(The origin of these meanings is the intangible aspects of the sky. Also evocative of water.)
Blue is the top favorite color in the world. It’s universally popular.
Next time you want a card to convey a particular feeling, do a little research first. Fun and fascinating, huh?
Card Details
So soft blue is an excellent choice for the card base. Soft Sky, Pool Party (shown) or the new Balmy Blue would all work. As an accent, Pear Pizzazz (a soft green) also evokes feelings of nature associated with a calming influence. What better to keep that theme of nature than the Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder and simple leaf pattern in the Petal Passion Designer Series Paper (with classic black and white). All work well to maintain gender neutrality. It’s a card appropriate for both males and females.
I chose to tone down the white background of the DSP by brayering on a little Pool Party ink. I repeated the same technique I shared yesterday with the stamped leaves and flowers from the coordinating Petal Palette bundle, stamping off first to soften the images (including the inside greeting panel, shown below). Add a single vellum die cut from the same bundle (leaf sprig or flowers), simple ribbon and sentiment and the card is done… and friend approved.
With the design work done, I challenge you to follow my lead and create your own stash of sympathy cards. You’ll thank me later:) While it’d be nice to not need them, you’ll be glad to have them if you do.
Final days to get many retiring products, including a few from today’s project (Petal Passion DSP, Petal Palette Bundle, Rose Wonder stamps & White Organza Ribbon). So many specials, discounts and freebies to take advantage of! Check them out below…
Last day to place an order for a chance to win a set of free cards made by me! Details at the end of the post HERE. They’re ready to mail… are they going to your house???
Happy Stampin’!
xxx tammy 🙂
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Great advice! Thank you for sharing this card!
You’re welcome! Had no idea I’d need one the day this posted. Glad I had it!