8 Best Encouragement Card Ideas

In times of uncertainty and challenge, a handmade encouragement card can be a small but mighty way to show support and love. Sending an encouraging handmade card to a family member, friend, or coworker dealing with a job loss, illness, stress, or just feeling down can help lift their spirits.

And what better way to create these handmade, encouraging cards than with our instant bestseller Craft Your Life Project Kit: Magnificent Magnolias? This card making kit for adults is a powerhouse of creative potential, filled with elegant florals, modern vases, and uplifting sentiments perfect for every type of encouragement card.

In this blog, we’re sharing 8 inspiring encouragement card ideas that are as therapeutic to make as they are meaningful to receive. 

Send Sweet Encouraging Cards and Sympathy Cards with This Cardmaking Kit

8 Best Encouragement Card Ideas

1. Bloom With Strength – Florals for Healing

If you’re unsure what color(s) to use for your handmade encouragement card, go for white! White is often associated with purity, peace, and innocence, making it the perfect color for these types of cards. In Emily’s card trio above, she simply 3D embossed various floral designs onto white cardstock and added sentiments expressing sympathy and encouragement. 

A blooming magnolia also symbolizes hope and growth. Use the magnolia dies and vases from the Magnificent Magnolias card making kit to create a peaceful scene. Pair them with encouraging sentiments like “You’ve got this” or “Bloom with strength,” or use the sentiment “lots of love” and “big hugs” from the kit.

Perfect for someone going through illness or recovery.

Design Tip: Use soft pastel tones for a calming, supportive feel. Watercoloring or alcohol markers bring life to the petals effortlessly.

2. Minimalist Comfort – Clean and Simple Cards

One-layer cards can speak volumes with just a few key elements. Stamp the branches from the Magnificent Magnolias cardmaking kit onto the 3D embossed vases and add a message like “it's going to be ok” or “you are special.” This is ideal when you want to keep the tone gentle and unobtrusive.

Erum’s card above only used one card making kit and a bit of “soft” ink blending. The simple and straightforward sentiment “sorry for your loss” perfectly complements the clean and simple vibe of her handmade encouragement card. 

Perfect for those experiencing grief or depression.

Design Tip: A monochromatic look with subtle ink blending adds sophistication without overwhelming the eye.

3. Uplifting Colors – Bright Backgrounds & Bold Messages

Color psychology plays a big role in encouragement cards. Bright yellows, fresh greens, and vibrant pinks evoke positivity and energy. Adding a big sentiment die-cut in cursive font finishes off your card nicely.  

If you want something non-floral, Therese’s handmade sympathy card idea is for you! She stenciled the mountain image from Majestic Mountains Layering Stencil Set, added a bird die-cut, and the sentiment “with sympathy.”

Perfect for someone starting over after job loss, burnout, or a relationship ending.

Design Tip: Use the coordinating stencils from the kit to add bold backgrounds behind your florals. Layer the sentiment “Today is a new beginning” in crisp black ink for contrast.

4. Hope in Layers – Die Cut Dimension

Use the included dies to build up layers with the magnolia blooms. Add dimension with foam tape and include multiple sentiments from the kit to create a mini story:
“Hugs” → “You are special,” → “You're simply the best.”

Perfect for friends feeling overwhelmed or alone.

Design Tip: Use vellum or acetate for a dreamy, ethereal touch that softens layered looks.

5. Mixed Media Magic – Textures for Expression

Experiment with textures to express depth and complexity, just like real-life challenges. Use embossing folders, ink splatters, shimmer relief paste, or other coloring mediums along with the elements included in the card making kit.

The card above shows a simple 3D embossed background, highlighted with some shimmer relief paste, a bird die-cut, and an impactful sentiment.

Perfect for crafters or creatives who appreciate symbolic design.

Design Tip: Keep the sentiment front and center so it’s the first thing they see.

Not sure what to write in an encouragement card? Click here.

6. Monochrome Elegance 

A striking black and white design with a pop of gold adds elegance to your encouragement cards. Heat emboss the stamp images in gold for a luxurious feel.

Perfect for someone going through a professional setback or life transition.

Design Tip: Keep embellishments minimal and let the sentiment carry the emotional weight.

7. Interactive Cards – Flip, Pop, or Pull

Bring a little joy with movement! Use card making kits with pop-up or pull-tab features to create a card that interacts with the recipient. Each reveal can include a line of encouragement from the set like: “You are special,” “You’re a beautiful person inside and out,” and “You’re simply the best.”

Perfect for anyone who needs a little extra cheer.

Design Tip: Create compartments for each uplifting phrase. Add florals to every section to tie the theme together.

8. Frame the Sentiment – Sentiment-Focused Design

Let the words shine. Use the “sending strength,” “thinking of you,” or “hang in there” sentiments from the Magnificent Magnolias kit as your centerpiece. Frame them with die-cut florals for a soft, heartfelt presentation.

Perfect for any situation where words matter most.

Design Tip: Place the sentiment in the center of a stitched or ink-blended frame, and lightly embellish the corners with floral elements.

Why Use Card Making Kits?

Card making kits simplify the process by bundling everything you need into one coordinated set. Some card making kits for adults have perfectly coordinating products or complementary ones that help you mix and match with other products in your stash. Altenew’s Craft Your Life Project Kits are especially perfect for adult crafters because they offer:

• High-quality stamps, dies, stencils, and embossing folders
• Professionally curated designs
• Pre-matched elements to save time
• Sentiments for a wide range of occasions

Create Simple But Beautiful Encouragement Cards with This Cardmaking Kit!

Card making isn’t just about crafting something pretty—it’s about reaching out, offering comfort, and reminding someone they’re not alone. Whether your loved one is facing a tough time or simply needs a little encouragement, a handmade card can speak volumes in a way words sometimes can’t.

With thoughtful designs and meaningful sentiments, kits like Magnificent Magnolias help take the guesswork out of the process, leaving room for what matters most: connection, care, and creativity. As you sit down to craft, remember that every stamped image and handwritten note holds the power to brighten someone’s day. And in moments like these, that’s a beautiful thing.

Find more encouragement card ideas and inspiration In the Craft Room.