Moments of Calm

Handmade Cards for Moments of Calm & Connection

There’s something special about making a card with a particular person or feeling in mind. Sometimes we want to offer a little encouragement or a reminder to slow down. Other times, a simple “thinking of you” is exactly what someone needs.

Today I’m sharing two beautiful handmade card ideas; each with its own style, techniques, and thoughtful details.

Peace Begins in the Present Moment

This gorgeous interactive card by Eileen Ong combines soft florals, warm foiling, texture, and a hidden surprise.

The background was embossed with the Diamond Dusk 3D Embossing Folder, creating a delicate diamond pattern that adds texture without competing with the focal design.

The flowers were created using our Poppy Prism Stencils 360°™ in fresh shades of pink and green. After stencilling, Eileen fussy cut the florals and trimmed them to create the beautiful floral gatefold on either side of the card.

At the centre is the word “PRESENT” from our Moments of Calm Premium Foiled Affirmation Words, layered over a Circles of Clarity Premium Foiled Reflection Circle.

But there’s more than meets the eye!

The centre circle lifts to reveal a hidden space underneath for a personal handwritten message. A coordinating belly band wraps around the finished card, holding the gatefold closed while making the large foiled sentiment the star of the design.

It’s such a lovely interpretation of the reminder:

Peace begins in the present moment.

Sunbird Spark supplies used


Thinking of You

Our second card, created by Mimi Lo, has an entirely different look! Light, fresh and filled with cheerful florals.

Mimi created the floral arrangement using the Simply Said Florals Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies, adding pops of pink, purple, yellow and green while keeping plenty of white space around the design.

The subtle background is embossed with the Art Deco Elegance 3D Embossing Folder. Using white cardstock keeps the embossed pattern beautifully understated while still adding lots of dimension and interest.

A delicate Leafy Border and Roses Die frames the outside of the card, giving the design another layer of texture without taking attention away from the floral arrangement.

To finish the card, Mimi heat embossed the “Thinking of You” sentiment in white embossing powder against black cardstock. The strong contrast creates the perfect focal point among all those delicate flowers.

Sunbird Spark supplies used

A Handmade Way to Say “I’m Thinking of You”

Although these two cards have completely different personalities, they share something we love about cardmaking: a handmade card can turn a very simple message into something deeply personal.

Whether it’s a reminder to pause and be present or just a little note to let someone know they’re on your mind, the time and care that goes into creating the card becomes part of the message itself.

We hope these projects inspire you to pull out your favourite stamps, stencils, dies and embossing folders and create a little moment of connection for someone you care about.

Sharon for Sunbird Spark

Supplies:

Sunbird Spark Release 2026 paper craft cardmaking

It’s Almost Here!

After months of designing, testing, creating, and making cards, I’m so excited to finally share a little more preview of what’s arriving this Wednesday, July 29.

This collection has been especially meaningful to create. It brings together intricate 360° stencil designs, coordinating stamps and dies, beautiful interactive elements, and something completely new for Sunbird Spark…

✨ Our very first online course!

I can’t wait to show you everything.


A Collection Designed to Inspire Creativity

This release is all about possibilities.

Whether you love clean and simple cards or detailed layered designs, you’ll discover new ways to create with the Stencils 360°+™ system.

Inside the new release you’ll find:

  • 🌸 Brand new 360° stencils
  • ✨ Coordinating clear stamps and dies
  • 🎡 MiniSpins™ interactive spinners
  • 💛 New layering stencils
  • 💌 Beautiful sentiments and embellishments

One of my favourite things about these products is that they’re designed to work together, but each one also stands beautifully on its own.


Every Card Tells a Different Story

One of the greatest joys of designing new products is seeing how everyone interprets them differently. The same stencil can become a bold geometric background, a delicate floral, or an elegant focal point simply by changing colours, spacing, or layering techniques.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been having so much fun creating with the new collection. Here are a few of the projects I’ve made so far. I hope they spark ideas for your own creations!

As I was making these samples, I kept discovering new combinations, different spinning intervals, and unexpected colour palettes that completely changed the look of each design.

I hope they inspire you to imagine what you’ll create too.


Introducing Our First Online Course

One of the biggest milestones for Sunbird Spark is something I’ve wanted to create for a long time.

360° Calm & Create™

This isn’t just a cardmaking class.

It’s an invitation to slow down, enjoy the rhythm of creating, and experience how simple repeated patterns can become surprisingly calming.

Throughout the course we’ll create four mandala-inspired projects while exploring themes of:

  • Balance
  • Present
  • Flow
  • Breathe

Whether you create cards every day or simply want a peaceful creative session, I hope this course becomes something you return to again and again.

Launch Day Special

To celebrate our very first online course, there will be a special introductory launch price beginning Wednesday, July 29.

If you’ve been curious about creating with the Stencils 360°+™ system, this will be the perfect time to join us.


See You Wednesday!

Thank you so much for following along and supporting Sunbird Spark.

Whether you’ve been with us since the Penguin Palace days or you’ve just recently discovered us, I’m incredibly grateful you’re here.

The full collection launches this Wednesday, July 29, and I can’t wait to finally share everything with you.

Until then…

Happy creating,

Sharon