You Are Strong, Capable, Strong & Beautiful
Sometimes a handmade card needs to do more than say “hello.” It can be a little reminder of just how amazing someone is—and that was the inspiration behind this colorful,…
Sometimes a handmade card needs to do more than say “hello.” It can be a little reminder of just how amazing someone is—and that was the inspiration behind this colorful, sparkly card featuring the sweetest little bird from the Birds of a Feather stamp set.
I wanted this card to feel cheerful, encouraging, and a little bit whimsical. The combination of soft pastels, bright pink and turquoise, purple, and plenty of sparkle creates a fun design while keeping the sentiment at the heart of the card.
A Little Bird With a Big Message
The focal point of this card is an adorable bird perched on a branch. I colored the image with bright, playful shades of pink, aqua, yellow, and purple, giving the bird plenty of personality. A few colorful feathers add an extra pop of color and help draw the eye toward the center of the design.
I placed the bird inside the Scalloped Circle die, which gives the focal image a finished, almost medallion-like appearance. The dimensional layers also help it stand out from the purple background.
I stamped out the circle sentiment stamp from You Are stamps and decided I only wanted to use the outermost circle of words around the bird. Using a circle die from my stash and measuring it against the Scalloped Circle die I was able to make that happen by layering paper over the center. This card still creates a positive affirmation, which is a perfect card for someone who could use a little extra encouragement.
Layers, Sparkle & Texture
The card base is framed with a soft pink border, followed by a pale yellow patterned layer. The purple center panel provides a wonderful contrast to the colorful bird and makes the glitter accents really pop.
One of my fancy details is the scalloped glitter border around the purple panel. I continued the sparkle through the lower portion of the card with several horizontal strips in coordinating colors. These little details add texture and movement without competing with the focal image.
A sprinkling of glitter throughout the design gives the finished card that extra bit of magic.
Finishing Touches
For the bottom of the card, I layered strips of pastel blue and glitter cardstock. The varied widths keep the design interesting while visually grounding the larger focal panel above.
The result is a bright and happy card that feels like a little celebration in paper form.
Supplies Used
- Birds of a Feather Stamp Set from Pajama Crafter Stamps
- You Are Stamp Set from Pajama Crafter Stamps
- Scalloped Circle die from Prickley Pear
- Cardstock
- Glitter paper
- 3D Foam adhesive
Whether you’re making a card for a friend, a loved one, a teacher, or simply someone who needs a reminder of their own strength, an encouraging handmade card is a wonderful way to let them know they’re special.
You are strong. You are capable. You are beautiful. You are brave. And you are wonderful. 
