How to Use Neutrals to Make Sweet BABY Cards!

Would you like to create cards with a ‘neutral’ colour palette? It’s a great way to get a modern and fun look to your designs. But can it be done on Baby cards?


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Do you like to make Baby cards? And, would you usually make them in cute ‘baby’ colours…

That’s me! Typically, I would use some sweet colour combos to make Critter or Baby Card designs. I am thinking pastels in pinks, blues, mint or even yellow. But, I wanted to stretch things a little today and instead, I have used these Spellbinders dies to create in a neutral colour palette.

Would you like to see today’s cards?

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)

What are Neutral Colours?

Neutral colors are muted colours that lack intensity or saturation, and often go well with other colours.  Examples include beige, gray, white, black, and brown… but you can also use taupe, cream, ivory, tan, sand, and lilac.

  • Low intensity: Neutral colors are not very bright or saturated. 
  • Complementary: Neutral colors complement primary and secondary colors. 
  • Visually pleasing: Neutral colors are easy on the eyes and recede into the background. 
  • Underlying hues: Neutral colors may have underlying hues that change in different lighting. For example, greige is a mix of beige and light gray that appears gray in fluorescent light and has yellow hues in natural light. 

Now, how are we going to use them?

Idea #1 – Repeat the Same tone

This first design uses a combination of greys. You can mix and match any cardstocks, from warm to cool tones, and a splash of white will always brighten up a clean and simple design. Because there were critters involved I did allow myself a touch of peach and yellow for the cheeks.
TOP TIP: I made my own peach and yellow cardstock by colouring white cardstock with alcohol markers before I die cut them.

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)

Here I used a starry background which was hot foiled in white. It’s the small details that step up a design like this, and did you see that the star has a little sparkle?

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)

Idea #2 – Bring in Some Brown!

Would you normally think to add some brown into the mix with a grey colour palette? Yes, it can be done and is perfect for a critter style design. Many critters look great in a brown tone, but what I did instead was make the star and the swinging basket (YES, it’s interactive) in the brown tones.

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)

I cheated a little on the basket by adding some burlap, but a little extra texture is a great way to step up a design.

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)

Idea #3 – Make a Focal Point

If you want a neutral colour palette to have the WoW factor, then create a central focal point, somewhere to draw the eye. And, by adding a bold white border, the images are framed and not ‘lost’ on the card front.

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)

So, if you love a clean and simple design then this one is for you!

Therese Calvird - Spellbinders Swinging Among the Stars - Little Smile Sentiments - Falling Stars (cards) (7)


Don’t get me wrong, I know that these same designs would look amazing in ‘colour’, but it is always nice to test our colour combo skills 🎨.

I hope you are inspired to use a neutral palette on your next project! If you do, don’t forget to share them on social media with me, I’d love to see what you make! Also let me know if you have a favourite card today in the comments below.

Sending crafty hugs your way today,

And, just in case you want to do a little shopping I’ve added the links below (some of them are affiliate links which means that I get a small commission at no extra cost to you). This is a great way to support me and the shops that we love 🥰!

NOTE: Thank you for your patience, I will add the specific links when I have internet back, it’s all a bit patchy since the Cyclone.

Other Supplies:
Spellbinders: Little Smile Sentiments | Swinging Among the Stars | Falling Stars | All the Sentiments.
OR Shop at Spellbinders UK HERE
Cardstock: White | Pale Gray | Real Gray | Spicy Yogurt | Burlap | Honey Bee – Autumn Afternoon Paper Pad.
Copics: R11 | Y00
Ink: Nocturne
Hot Foil: Black & White

*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time.

30 thoughts on “How to Use Neutrals to Make Sweet BABY Cards!

      1. First I would like to say I am glad you are all ok. Second I love these cards and I have a few friends that are having baby’s so i will be making baby cards. I will be going onto the spellbinders site to place an order soon. Thanks for showing us those cards. Great idea.
        Dominique Poissant from Alberta, Canada.

      2. So happy you were inspired by these cards Dominique and thank you for your concerns, it’s so nice to be getting back to normal life again.

  1. Hi Therese,
    happy to hear you made it through the cyclone ok. I love those cards in these neutral colours, they’re just fab.

  2. Glad you’re safe and well and that you haven’t suffered too badly. The cards are very pretty. I have to admit I’m addicted to Spellbinders. The variety they offer is amazing and of course they are top quality too. Have you tried their new card yet? It’s gorgeous.
    Take care of yourself and I hope everything is back to normal soon❤️

    1. No I haven’t tried their cardstock as yet but I have heard great reviews from people I ‘trust’ lol. But, I am trying not to go there.. or am I just fooling myself lol.

  3. So glad you made it thru the storm safely! These cards are really simple & cute. Love watching your videos! ❤️

  4. Be still my neutral-loving heart! Yes, I would totally make neutral baby cards and if I were planning a nursery, I would totally start with pale grey walls – but that’s just me, isn’t it?
    Your cards are all brilliant, but my favorite has to be that pair in the hot air balloon! Burlap? the real thing? SO fantastic!
    =]

  5. So glad you made it through unscathed, Therese. Power outages are no fun but it’s not the worst that could happen. Your cards are adorable and if I hadn’t already made one for the great granddaughter that came this morning I might even try to CASE one of yours.

  6. Glad to hear you are well and safe after the big wind Your cards are amazing and reminded that I have burlap somewhere in the house to use on a card. I love all the cards, and the burlap swing basket is my fav!

  7. Oh my goodness these are as sweet as they can be, Therese! I love that little ellie peeking out from behind the star!

  8. These are the best baby cards. So much more interesting than pink and blue. I love the background behind the balloon and that basket. Sorry you are having power problems. I hope it’s all fixed soon.

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