Hello, crafty friends!

Welcome back to the blog! Today, I am sharing a special set of encouragement cards that are very close to my heart. We all go through seasons where we need a little extra support, and I truly believe a handmade card can make a real difference in someone’s life—even if just for a moment. I wanted this set to act as a “paper hug,” letting friends know they aren’t alone and that they will get through whatever they are facing.

For this project, I leaned into the power of batch processing by using the same beautiful technique across four different designs. Let’s break down how to create these vibrant, encouraging cards!

Step 1: Stamp, stencil, and die cut the focal points all at once: To start with this set, I reached for the Butterfly Blossoms collection from Simon Says Stamp. This is such a versatile set because it includes stamps, stencils, and dies that work together perfectly. I used Distress Oxide inks to stamp the floral and butterfly images and then layered the stencils on top to build up that gorgeous, soft color. Using stencils with your stamps is a great design secret for adding depth and professional-looking blends without a lot of fuss. This set especially makes stenciling easy because it’s just 2 stencils and everything lines up super easy.

Step 2: Choosing Meaningful Sentiments The heart of an encouragement card is the message. While I used the Butterfly Blossoms for the visuals, I switched to the “You Got This” set from Simon Says Stamp for the sentiments. I chose phrases that speak to the soul, like “You grow through what you go through”—which is one of my all-time favorites! It’s a reminder that our challenges only make us stronger.

Step 3: The Signature Sparkle You know it wouldn’t be a Varada Sharma card without a little extra bling! To finish off these cards, I added my signature “chunky glitter” on top of the images for a bold, tactile feel. I also took a glitter pen to the butterflies to ensure they catch the light and bring an extra smile to whoever opens that envelope.

🎨 Community Mini-Game: Send a Virtual Hug!

I’d love to know: Which of these four sentiments resonates with you the most today?

1. “You got this.”
2. “You grow through what you go through.”
3. “Don’t give up.”
4. “Everything will be okay.”

Leave a comment below with your choice, or tag a friend who might need to hear one of these today! Let’s spread those happy vibes together. Let this post be the sign that you were waiting for, for sending that paper hug to someone special in your life.

Enjoy creating!

Hugs!
~Varada