Sasparilla's For More Than Just Cowboys, Y'all :D

Howdy, OA fans! It's Amy here today with a little tutorial on how to look at Sasparilla for more than just cowboy/cowgirl or farm related projects. Let's get started!

We all know how adorable Sasparilla is for those country-themed projects. It's perfect for rodeos, pony rides, farm visits, and all things non city-slicker. BUT what you may not notice at first glance are the various other themes that can come together perfectly with this eclectic collection. 

WATER THEMEFor my page today, I chose to use the clouds in the Cattle Drive paper as the primary focus of my page. I paired it with the stripes from Pony Express, altering it slightly to cover up the red stripes, to give a rainy effect from below the clouds. The colors of the aquas, yellows, greys, creams and blues lend beautifully for water-themed projects, like this one of my daughter dancing in an early summer downpour. I bet there are some papers in here that would go great with Seaside or Boarding Pass, for example, even.Because many of the embellishments in Sasparilla are more "western" in flavor, I used my beautiful teal buttons, Alpha Stickers, Little Fliers and Wrap Pack to do most of the embellishments on my page along with my papers.

So, since my layout is primarily in the cool range of colors (blues) from Sasparilla, I thought I would go through the collection (minus the overtly "western-themed" pieces) with both of the projects I created and give you a little mix-and-match rundown of some of the ideas and theme's you could easily build upon using the papers I've shown. 

THE BLUES
Now let's talk about the BLUES in this collection. 
Left to Right: Rustler, Gold Rush, Tumbleweeds, Stagecoach, Wide Open Spaces, Cattle Drive, Giddy Up, Big Sky, Dash Dalton, Wagon Train

We have aqua, we have denim, we have sky blue, we have cobalt blue, we have nearly navy blue, we have grey blue and I'm sure there are a few more in there that are hidden so beautifully it all just becomes seamless! This palette right here, is so multi-functional and crosses over so many genres from kids to adults, feminine to masculine, you really can't ask for more!. You name it, the blues have it in this collection!

FISHING, FATHER'S DAY, CABIN THEMES
For example, in this selection we have Gold Rush, Stagecoach and Wide Open Spaces.This to me, looks like it would make an AWESOME fishing related layout, or what about a Father's Day card with a fishing theme? I LOVE it!

PRE-TEEN/TEENAGER THEME
And here, this one, I was excited to discover, Dash Dalton, Stagecoach, Pony Express.I can TOTALLY see this for a pre-teen/teenage boy birthday card, or layout. The jeans? Please! Yes. Totally works!

SUMMER, MEMORIAL DAY, 4th OF JULY, BBQ THEMES
Next up, this is a pretty obvious one, but I threw in the clouds to add a little more whimsy. Here we have Cattle Drive, Giddy Up, Pony Express, Dash Dalton, Pony Express.Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Memorial Day is coming up, sand that means summer! Summer means 4th of July, BBQs and all things Americana here in the states. Perfect! I can totally see an entire mini album created with just these papers, for summer - SO cute!
 

HOME THEMEThroughout this collection there is a warmth in all the pattern and color. But also a cozy warmth that resides in the "western" theme. It's a feeling of  "home". Maybe not your literal home, or mine, but that traditional old flavor, like a great patina. It's worn in and comfortable. This general "feel" lends itself beautifully to the theme of "home". 

For my card I used this theme to create a home related sentiment that could mean welcome home or you are home "here". I decided to stay very neutral with an emphasis on the greys, yellows, creams, and little bit of aqua, green. I used the map image to give the sense of  "here you are" and added the crocheted trim from the wrap pack, to further emphasize that feminine touch of "home" in my card.

THE YELLOWS
Now let's talk about the YELLOWS in this collection.

The blues and the yellows, I felt, were the standout colors from this collection, aside from the decidedly cowboy related papers. So here I've put together a couple swatch groupings using the yellows as the jumping off point for a couple more themes to try out with the Sasparilla collection.

FASHION THEME
To me, this group of papers screams "wear me!" all over it! And believe me, I wish I could! :D 

Dash Dalton, High Noon, and Gold Rush round out this trio of trendy colors that's made it's way beautifully into the Sasparilla collection just to make us all swoon. Ahhhh, yellow, grey, cream, and denim! I love it! I would love to see layouts or cards made with this group all about wearable fashion or even about home decor. Those are great things to scrap about!

EVERYDAY, TRADITIONAL THEME
Gold Rush, HIgh Noon, Gold Rush, and Tumbleweeds is a nice blend of current colors mixed with traditional patterns and textures.  This classic grouping of high, medium and low contrast valued papers would be just splendid for everyday or traditional-themed scrapping. This mix really reminds me of my grandfather's wool jackets, and I really can see this being an ideal mix for a theme related to similar stories.

YOU-NAME-IT THEME
Last up, I thought I would present my favorite mix of all the papers in the Sasparilla collection. Gold Rush, Tumbleweeds, Wide Open Spaces, Stagecoach and High Noon.
I believe you could do just about anything with this group of papers. The reason I feel this, is because its two most dominant colors are neutrals - the grey bandanna pattern and the wood-grain pattern. Then the lighter papers are all in the same color range with yellows, warm and light. The project could go masculine. It could go feminine. It could go young. It could go not so young. It could be about the outdoors, or the indoors. I really see this group of papers very versatile and a grouping that I am anxious to work with in the very near future!

That's going to do it here for me today! I hope that you've seen Sasparilla in a little broader fashion than you may have previously. It's such a fun collection and FULL of possibilities! Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday! :D

Comments

[Laura]

This is one of the best blog posts I've read in a long while. I'm a huge OA fan, but thought *perhaps* I could give this line a miss . . . until you showed some of the gorgeous B sides I hadn't eyeballed! I've just put loads of the papers on my wishlist for a future purchase. :)

[Debs]

My collection arrived last week...i bought it because my husband is in a country band...but, whoa...rope in those ponies....what great ideas for everyone else in the family. From now on I am going to look at all collections from this perspective...thank you...and "howdy" get so creative?

[Sarah Groen]

Hi Amy - I was hesitant to buy this collection because of the Western theme (not much call for that here in New Zealand) but I couldn't resist the colours and patterns so I bought the entire collection and I'm LOVING it. Your post has made me even happier that I did :))) Your LO is exquisite too

[Melinda Wharton]

Wow, Amy - you knocked that article out of the park!! You need to work for October Afternoon - you can REALLY sell their products! I've got to get this collection now that I see what all it can do! Thanks!!

[Linda in Aus]

Wow it's amazing how different everything looks when you group them together like you have. I can hear my brain going yes yes they look great why didn't I think of that?
Many thanks

[Lauren]

That is such a BEAUTIFUL layout!

Lauren
www.craftsbyreadysetlove.com

[Cindy Major]

I fell in love with the Sasparilla collection the minute I saw it and I am hoping I can find it at a local store. I am even more in love with it now that I have seen that gorgeous page! WOW!

TFS!
Cindy

[V. Miali]

This is the best guest designer example I have seen from OA in a while. I love the way you've grouped out the patterns and provided examples of themes. Your 12X12 page is just amazing and I love your card with the map too. Thank you for such a detailed and inspiring post.

[Trine Brandt-Lassen]

So cool. Such great ideas! Thanks

[Plastic card Printing]

wow, these soft colors and paterns are my favorite.

[Rea Custer]

Nice projects and nice line of DP. Thanks for sharing about it.

[Lisa Risser]

Love, love, love all the wonderful combos you have shown here--fabulous! And the layout? AMAZING!

[Jennifer]

darn it, I thought I was done buying this paper- LOL!!! I bought a few sheets specifically for scrapping a recent visit to a Native American museum here in Phoenix, but now I think I need to buy the rest of the patterns, too! thanks for the inspiration!! :D

[linda L]

Your scrapbook page features mys sis's fav quote. Love it TFS!!!!