Tips on Using Heartfelt Stencil Designs for a Splash of Positivity!

Last Updated: June 30, 2025

Crafters, whether beginner or experienced, can all agree that the experience of making handmade projects is a form of self-care, a creative outlet, and a labor of love. Sometimes, it can be hard to get back to the roots of why people craft, and it’s to spread love, joy, and positivity for themselves or others.

A handmade card featuring soft purple bellflowers in front of a striped background and a 'just for you' sentiment

Versatile Greetings 3: Comfort Edition

In this blog, we’ll dive into using heartfelt stencils and other pro tips to help you maintain a firm grasp on positivity and good vibes in crafting. Let’s get started! 

Why Should We Craft with Joy and How to Do It?

When you sit down to create with a grateful heart and a clear purpose, you’re engaging in an act of mindfulness and self-love.

A cute picture of crafters happily showing their cards during an Altenew retreat

But how do you actually craft with joy? Start by letting go of the pressure to be perfect. Give yourself permission to experiment and make mistakes. Use colors and sentiments that resonate with your current mood. Take breaks when needed, and surround yourself with tools that inspire you—whether it’s some layering stencils or alcohol markers. Remember, crafting with joy doesn’t mean you’re always cheerful. It means you’re present, authentic, and open to the possibilities your creativity offers.

10 Tips to Help You Add Joy and Good Vibes to Every Project

Every crafter has their process when it comes to making DIY projects or handmade cards, but in case you need a bit more inspiration, we’ve lined up some tips to put positivity and joy into the center of your crafting process. 

Begin with a Clear Intention

Start your crafting session with a moment of gratitude or a cheerful mantra. Try something like: “Today, I craft with love and joy.” This simple act sets the tone for a fulfilling creative experience. On the other hand, don’t forget to set goals for what you want to achieve, like maybe creating a nice handmade card for a loved one, or crafting projects with heartfelt sentiments. 

A close-up photo showing a crafter peeling off some enamel dots to use on her project

Set Up a Fun Crafting Playlist

For some people, music can be a great way to acquire inspiration and drive to make a project. Curate a playlist with feel-good songs to keep the energy light and inspiring while you cut, color, stamp, or stencil.

Experiment with Different Color Media and Palettes

Color is a great way to show emotion when you’re working on something handmade. Opt for vibrant pinks, calming blues, or cheerful yellows to really emit that vibe you’re going for. Go crazy and go bright! 

A flatlay image of a crafter trying out different ink swatches

Make Use of Tools and Designs That Inspire You

Crafting is also partially about the supplies you work with. Whether it’s an embellishment picker with wax replacements or something like the Stampwheel 2.0, these tools play a massive role in helping you maintain that fun, convenient, and positive crafting experience. 

Use Uplifting, Heartfelt Sentiments

When you’re not sure what to say in your handmade projects, sentiments are here to save the day! Choose sentiments that suit the occasion, vibe, and the recipient, incorporated with your project. It’s a wonderful way to spread positivity, not to mention fun to craft with, too! 

A staged image of a handmade card featuring beautiful flowers and a 'sending you sunshine' sentiment

Craft Your Life Project Kit: Bold & Beautiful

Create Something for a Specific Person or Cause

Looking for a ‘purpose’ or further inspiration to craft with joy. Doing it for others is a great way to start! Making handmade cards for your friends and family is one thing, but you can also take it one step further and craft some cards for nursing homes or other beneficial causes. It’s a great way to incorporate love and kindness into your crafting experience. 

Craft with Friends Both in Person and Online

Positivity multiplies when shared! Meet up with friends or hop on a virtual call with fellow crafters to create something beautiful together. You’ll find that not only does it make the experience so much more fun, but the positivity you feel and create is increased as well! Crafting classes are also amazing platforms to improve your crafting skills and create alongside talented people. 

A photo of crafters smiling happily and holding out the cards they're working on

Join a Crafting Challenge

Consider joining an Altenew crafting challenge to get extra inspiration and be somewhat on the same page as other crafters. It boosts creativity and builds connections wonderfully at the same time. You’ll never run out of project ideas and have lots of joy and positivity to share, too! 

Stencil Your Heart Out

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or advanced crafter, stencils are an absolute must-have! They’re super beginner-friendly and make the crafting experience all the more enjoyable and fulfilling. You get to make something beautifully handmade and share it with others as well! 

A photo of a handmade card with a textured background made using shimmer relief paste and a large stencilled sentiment in the middle saying 'today is a good day to make someone happy'

Today is a Good Day

End with Gratitude and Kindness

The very last thing, and probably the most important, is to end your crafting sessions with gratitude and self-love. Be grateful for the opportunity to make something wonderful with your own two hands, and be thankful for everything and everyone that helped you get to where you are now as a crafter. 

A photo of a crafter holding her fresh dye inks while looking at a project she's working on

Always remember to be kind to yourself, too. To be positive and to achieve joyful crafting is to have that same mindset towards yourself. Making mistakes is normal, and even the tiniest wins are meant to be celebrated. You’ve got this! 

Make a Joyful Crafting Checklist That Works for You!

Ready to start crafting with joy and purpose? Infuse good vibes into all of your projects, and you’ll find yourself feeling more fulfilled and inspired. Try making use of the tips we’ve provided in this blog, and alter them to suit your needs and preferences. 

A beautiful staged image of a handmade card featuring a large peony in pink and purple blended colors, including a 'take care' sentiment

For more crafting tips, techniques, and inspiration, don’t hesitate to check out more resources HERE. Happy crafting! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does crafting make people happy? 

A: Crafting makes people happy because it keeps the hands and mind occupied. Not only can it be fun, but the process is incredibly fulfilling too, not to mention the joyful feeling of making something for someone else to enjoy.

Q: How to send someone positivity?

A: Sending someone positivity is easier than you think. You need to be sincere, consider heartfelt words or actions that would make them happy, and overall, just come up with something from the heart! 

Q: How to show positivity in a handmade card?

A: Showing positivity in a handmade card manifests itself in different ways. Sometimes, it can manifest in a cheerful color palette, or sometimes in a heartfelt sentiment stencil. It depends on how you choose to showcase joy and positivity, so don’t forget to add your personal touch! 

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