One of the things I love about stamping is how easy it is to create beautiful projects without having to be an artist. Over the past few years Stampin’ Up! has produced a number of stamp sets that are known as ‘builder’ sets. That is you can use the various stamps to build a scene. The new January to June Mini Catalogue has another one of these sets, it’s called Oceanfront and it’s amazing. It’s an image only set so you can add a favourite sentiment without feeling guilty. Today I paired it with the Special Moments Stamp Set which will be available for free during the Sale-A-Bration promotion.

SIMPLE SCENE BUILDING
For this project I decided to keep things clean and simple. So I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Basic White Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.
Next I cut two 4″ x 5-1/4″ pieces of Basic White Card. One would be used for the front of the card and one for the inside. Finally I cut a 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ piece of Mossy Meadow Card.
With that done I was ready to stamp and pulled out just four stamps from the Oceanfront Stamp Set.
I began at the top of the scene by stamping the largest image with Pool Party ink. Below that I stamped the next largest image in Balmy Blue ink. Just two stamps and I already had my sea and sky.
Next I chose the ‘triangular’ image and inked that up with So Saffron ink. However, before stamping I used a Sponge Dauber to add some Crumb Cake ink around the edges. Then when I stamped the image it was a more natural sandy colour.
Finally using Mossy Meadow ink I stamped the middle of the three grassy images from the set. Four stamps and my oceanfront scene was built and ready for a sentiment.
SPECIAL MOMENTS
Like most stampers I have lots of sentiments that would be perfect for this scene. Today though I decided to use a new photopolymer stamp set called Special Moments. This set contains 21 sentiments designed to be used by themselves or in pairs. I was definitely spoiled for choice but in the end chose “Thinking of you”, and using Mossy Meadow ink stamped it in the bottom right-hand corner just below the scene.
Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the completed piece onto the Mossy Meadow layer. Then I attached the assembled piece to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
To give my project some coordination I chose the sand and grass images again. So, after cleaning the stamps, I used the same technique to stamp them in the bottom left corner of the second piece of Basic White Card. Then I stamped them in the bottom left corner on the front of a Basic White Medium Envelope.

Finally I used liquid glue to added the second Basic White layer to the inside of the card base and my project was complete.
I love how this card turned out. If you don’t need a “Thinking of you” card it would be great for many other occasions too. In fact the Special Moments Stamp Set probably has most of the sentiments you’d need. This set will not be available to buy, but rather can be yours for FREE during Sale-A-Bration (January 4th to February 28th). Simply place an order for $375CAD (before shipping and taxes) and this stamp set will be added to your order for free. You can also earn it by hosting a party and collecting orders to the same value. By the way, the sentiments are shown at 95% of their actual size.

OCEANFRONT AND BEYOND
Of course the star of this show is the Oceanfront Stamp Set. I have no doubt it’s going to be a popular addition to many orders once the new catalogue goes live on January 4th. However it’s not the only ocean / sea-themed product within its pages….
Make sure you also check out the following stamp sets: Paradise Palms, Seas The Day, Gentle Waves and Let’s Set Sail. If you’re looking for dies and punches, there’s the Palms Dies, Sea Dies and Sailboat Builder Punch.
But for me it’s the little details that caught my eye this time, self-adhesive Pebbles Enamel Shapes and Faux Sea Glass Shapes! I have both and will definitely show you them on a project in the near future. But for now let me just wish you a Happy New Year and leave you with a closer look at the Oceanfront Stamp Set.

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