Brave & Loved

Hello! I have a card that features the Beads of Friendship Collection from Spellbinders. This card isn’t about a fandom. It’s about being brave and allowing yourself to be loved. I used a bunch of rainbow elements on this, so it’s perfect for someone in the LGBTQ+ community, but it can be used for more than that. Today is a perfect day to spread love, as it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Let’s remember his messages of love as we traverse through life.

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I had spent a bit of time die cutting a ton of paper beads in various colors, plus lots of the alphabet beads so that when it was time to craft, I was ready and I didn’t have to stop and die cut anything. You can see how I store the beads in THIS video. I find it to be easier to start with one of the hands from the Bestie Heart in Hand Die Set, then make the bracelets on the arm, and then attach it to your card. I die cut the hand out of a light Caucasian skin tone and I inked it with Antique Linen Distress Ink for some shadowing and depth. The beads and bracelets are from the Bestie Alphabet Beads & Sentiments Stamp & Die Set, and the Bestie Beaded Bracelets Die Set. The colored cardstock I used is from My Colors.

I die cut the heart from an old alcohol ink panel I had made. I loved how all the colors of the rainbow were represented on it. I decided to ink blend on the right side of my card base so I grabbed a bunch of Distress Inks. Lumberjack Plaid, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, and Villainous Potion make a beautiful rainbow. Then I found a fun piece of patterned paper from Echo Park’s That’s My Boy paper pad and adhered it to the left side.

I love how this turned out. It’s bright, bold, and has a lot of meaning. I can think of a bunch of folks that I’d send this to. Please be sure to visit Spellbinders to see the entire Beads of Friendship Collection. I still have so many ideas for it! Thanks for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!