As we get ready to start another weekend the weather in Southern California is gloomy, overcast and gray. That got me to thinking about the color gray and its uses in our scrapbook layouts. Gray is considered a “cool” neutral color. It is a very easy to color to work with that blends with just about any color combination you can conceive.  Gray is the softer, lighter black without the drama or the ability to overwhelm or suck up light that can sometimes happen when working with black. Gray is the color of storm clouds and metal and the soft, gentle curves of grandma’s hair. It is sometimes considered a color of “intermediate mourning;” the color you move to after you are no longer wearing all black.

In your scrapbook layouts gray can be used in place of white when you want just a touch more depth than white would bring. Dark gray can be used in place of black when you want more depth but don’t want to worry about the light being swallowed up. Black and white photos paired with gray backgrounds and elements can create a dramatic monochromatic mood that can be read as either sophisticated, elegant, or emotionally remote or removed. It can sometimes have a timeless feel depending on the photo or even an ethereal, can’t-be-touched kind of feel. If you have a photo with a wild amount of color a gray background might be just the thing to temper things and keep them under control.

Some interesting facts about the color gray include the idea that gray is the color used during lent in Christian observances and represents repentance.  Gray was the color of the Confederate army. The New York Times, long considered the American, “newspaper of record” is called the “Gray Lady.” The color gray is often considered to represent intellect and the brain is often called “gray matter.” Gray can also be thought of to connote pessimism; Eeyore, the sad little donkey of Winnie the Pooh fame is always portrayed as a blue/gray little guy. Gray can also be thought of as being indeterminate; being between two opposing views can be said to be a “gray area.” The human eye can perceive about 500 different shades of gray.

So, why is “gray” sometimes spelled “grey” and which is correct? Both spellings are considered correct. “Gray” is usually how it is spelled in America. “Grey” is how it is spelled in the United Kingdom. However, if used in a proper name as in “Earl Grey” or “Zane Grey” it would not be proper to alternate the spelling. Additionally the dog breed “greyhound” is always spelled with an “e.”

Last year the Guild had two different kits that featured the color gray. Both of those kits are now available as Guild Encore kits:

January 2010 Guild Encore Kit, "Time in a Bottle"

May 2010 Guild Encore Kit "Pocketful of Sunshine"

This weekend ONLY both of these kits are on sale for 40% off the regular price. Regular price: $5.50, Sale Price: $3.30

The kits can be purchased at E-Scape and Scrap, NDISB and Pickleberry Pop

Here are just a few layouts working with these kits and a gray color scheme:

Created by Debb Cozzi

Created by Debb Cozzi

Created by Amy Eileen Head

Created by Cheryl Ashcraft aka Gonewiththewind

Created by Bunnynose

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts and design ideas and that these layout will inspire you to create your own gray-themed layouts. For an even more in-depth article on using the color gray be sure and pick up the March issue of the Artisan Notebook ™ and read Debb Cozzi’s article, “Tempered Steel.” Also included in this issue is a 50% off coupon on the two Guild Encore kits featured above.

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