Just wishing you all....

a very Merry Christmas!!! :D 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Here are some Christmas songs for you all to enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Cartoon

How to Draw Cartoon Santa
By Konand C.




We all love Santa Clause with his Christmas presents and gifts, yet when it comes to drawing cartoon Santa not everyone is so much in for the excitement. The main difficulty most people experience in trying to create Santa cartoons is that they don't know where to start or what kind of costume details to pay attention to.
Fortunately, drawing Santa Claus is actually quite easy once you nail down some of the basic steps. So hopefully this article will help answer questions beginners might have when learning how to draw cartoon Santa.


Step 1. Santa Face
Remember his long white curly beard? And those big mustache that look like the shape of tree leaves? How about his nose? Simple, for a cartoon drawing, it can just be simple circle or oval shape if you prefer. Color it with soft pink, as Santa Clause always seems to have a swollen nose because of freezing winter cold. For the eyes just create two circular dots and it's all done.
Step 2. Santa Hat
This part is super easy. First draw the fur part that sits on Santa's head - draft a rectangular shape and then simply round up the corners to depict its softness. After that you can add a curly triangle with a circular shape on its end.
Step 3. Draw Body
Now you probably know well how big Santa Clause is! So draw this part of cartoon Santa with fairly smooth curly lines, just like you would drawing soft toys. Simplify as many details as you like.
Step 4. Legs and Boots
The easiest position to draw Santa's leg is when he stands straight up. All you have to draw are just two rounded corner triangles that have their pointy angles facing down. To sketch the boots, draft very lightly with your pencil two vertical rectangles and two circles by their sides. Connect these shapes with smooth outlines and you're good to move on.
Step 5. Gift Bag
You can really make you cartoon Santa carry a huge gift bag, almost the size of Santa Claus himself! This can be drawn using yet another simple circle or oval shape from the back of our Santa cartoon drawing. To make it look like as if he is really carrying it, pull the lines of the bag to go over his shoulders and connected to one of his hands.
Step 6. Drawing the Arms
As mentioned above, a cartoonish drawing can be very simple. The arms are where people particularly tend to overdo. If you just imagine them as big fat 'V' letters, then you got it. The gloves can be simplified to minimal as well to circular shapes.
Step 7. Adding Accessories
You only need to draw a few things and it will already look like Santa Clause's uniform: soft fur or felt cuffs around the sleeves, coat's center front and bottom edges; black belt below stomach level ; and a yellow square buckle in the middle.
That pretty much wraps up this basic lesson.

Cartoon

One of the Oldest Disney Characters - Donald Duck
By Shawna S. Ruppert




A Donald Duck quiz shows that his early appearance differed somewhat from how he came to be seen later. The colors and the sailor suit were the same however, and it was just the fine details that differed. Dick Lindy was the original animator of the duck.

One of the most popular Disney shorts has been the "Orphan's Benefit" which has been rereleased on video cassette and DVD several times since its release in 1934. This was the first appearance of Donald and Mickey in the same cartoon. It would also showcase Donald losing his temper in a fit of rage, something that would become a staple of his slapstick schtick over the next several decades.

Donald Duck trivia will show that for many years Donald was the clearly most popular of the Walt Disney stable of characters. There would also grow a stable of characters which were relatives of Donald. These would also become very popular characters in their own right. First of all, there was Huey, Dewey, and Louie, his nephews. Later, his Uncle, Scrooge McDuck would also emerge as another popular duck character.

A Donald Duck quiz will show that he was the most popular cartoon character of the war era (Bugs Bunny was also very popular). He was the mascot for much of the air force, and many WW II planes had Donald logos proudly on the nose of the plane.

Donald has gone on to be very popular right up until the present. He had appeared in feature films as well as being a guest star in the TV show Duck Tales, which featured his extended family in the main roles. He would also eventually feature in his own show, Quack Pack. An interesting fact about Donald duck is not only that is he very popular in North America, but has also enjoyed extreme popularity in Scandinavia throughout his lifetime.

Cartoons

Cartoon House Drawing Techniques
By Nicholas Markovitz



Drawing cartoons is actually harder than you might expect. Whether you are trying to draw a person, an animal, an inanimate object, or even a cartoon house you need to expect to have a little bit of difficulty if you never drawn a cartoon before. Though most people underestimate the cartoon medium and leave it is relatively easy to do, the fact of the matter is that cartooning is a complicated art form.

When drawing cartoons, you need to be able to utilize shapes. While this in itself sounds easy enough, there is difference between knowing what shapes are, and knowing what to do with them. Most amateur cartoons use simple shapes and lines structure in order to convey relatively simple images.

Also knowing the angle at which you intend to draw is important as well. You can be drawing full frontal, or you could be doing a three fourths angle, or any other angle you decide to use. However, the more complicated angle that the image will be focused on, the more difficult is going to be for you to draw. For this reason, if you intend to do something that is not a straight on look at what you are drawing, you need to be fully aware of how different shapes look from different angles in order to get good results.

Exaggeration is also a big part of cartooning. The whole point of drawing cartoons is to take something realistic and make it larger than life. We could do this by large lines, soft edges, or just certain aspects of what you're drawing be larger. For example, if you're drawing a cartoon house, then you would want circular edges instead of hard edges in order to make it more friendly looking. You would also most likely keep details and a minimum in order to make it seem more like a cartoon unless like something from real life.

Also in drawing cartoon house, any details around the house should be certified as well. The focus should be on the house, and not on its surroundings. While in animation, pay attention to the background is important, and regular cartoons it is not so much a big deal. You can portray what you are trying to draw relatively easily without putting too much detail on things that do not matter. This also accounts for things on outside of the home, for example things like house damage. The house is damaged, do not draw in unless you are trying to make it look the dilapidated or scary. Cartoons are very simple, and a simple thing like a crack in the wall could make it seem intimidating. A cartoon house is only one example what you could draw, but these rules apply no matter what you are trying to portray.

Fashion Fun and Inspiration on Polyvore :D

I've been having fun on polyvore creating fun sets. Putting together outfits, trying new things - its just like doing paper dolls! :D Here are some of my favorite ones that I did within the past few weeks. Enjoy the inspiration! And remember, try something new in your outfit today, or tomorrow? ;) May that be a new color combination, or when you go shopping try on something different from your normal choice. Be crazy, but modest!

Britain by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Glaze boots

Charming by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Big Buddha bags

Country Cozy by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Forever21 accessories

Preppy by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Ralph Lauren

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Forever21

Nautical by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Aeropostale

Pink & Black by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Monsoon

Stylish by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Forever21

Random Friday

Some adorable sky blue pumps on Etsy that I found. Aren't they the cutest thing?

Be sure to check out the whole store Jitterbuggin - they have some really cute vintage clothing and shoes.

What We Are Wearing - Ashley & Gabrielle

~Ashley~

~What I'm Wearing~

Burgundy Top - Liz Claiborne

Floral Skirt - Made by me (Amy Butler Pattern)

Brown Vest - Made by me

Brown Kitten Heels - Naturalizers

~Gabrielle~ 

~What I'm Wearing~

Black & White Floral Skirt - Unknown

Black Top - Talbots

White Sweater - Unknown

White T-shirt - Kohls

Black Flats - Payless

I will have you know it was freezing outside! It was like in the 30s today. We just look warm in these photos. :D Besides, there is much better lighting outside, then inside.

~Ashley & Gabrielle

Tagged once again!

Bramblewood Fashion has been tagged once again. This time by Rebecca from Singing in His Name. Thank you, Rebecca! :D

1. Thank the person who gave the award.

2. Copy the award.

3. Post it on your blog.

4. Tell seven things about yourself that your readers don't know.

5. Link seven new bloggers as recipients.

6. Notify the winners with comments on their blogs.

7. Keep being awesome!

As she tagged both me and Gabrielle, you will be seeing two tags. My sister, Gabrielle, will post hers sometime soon. :D

1. I have read over 3,000 books since I was about 11 or 12. I'm now 19.

2. I did the costumes and make-up for an independent film called, Taylor Made (2009).

3. I have attended two movie premieres this year Taylor Made (2009) and The Mysterious Islands (2009).   

4. My favorite modern music composer is Ben Botkin.

5. My favorite movie director is Frank Capra. He gave us It's a Wonderful Life, Meet John Doe, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, etc...

6. I still can't believe that Christmas is almost here! I need to watch some movies that will get me in the mood! Like Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, The Little Drummer Boy, or It's a Wonderful Life. :D

7. I am the party planner in my family. I love planning out and decorating our parties.

I tag the following bloggers.

1. Elise of Ribbons of Light.
2. Natasha of What I Wear, What I Do and Why I Did It.
3. Ëarwen of A Hot Heart
And who ever who wants to do this tag! :D Just let me know if you do it. As I would love to see your answers! :D

Random Friday

Shirley Temple

A breathtaking gown on a lovely young lady. :D

 

Image from: http://www.doctormacro1.info/

What I'm Wearing - Ashley Nicole

~What I'm Wearing~

1950s Plaid Skirt - Made by me using a vintage pattern

Green T-shirt - St. John's Bay from JCPenny's

Brown Vest - Made by me (Simplicity 2556)

Brown Wedges - Xhilaration from Target

Brown Pattern Knee-high Socks - Kohl's

Channel Bead Ring - Arizona from JCPenny's

Layer Necklace - So from Kohl's

 

Random Friday

I'm going to start a new thing for Fridays. It is going to be called "Random Friday" and I'll post a picture of something that inspires me, or what just makes me smile. :D I hope you all will enjoy this new series! Let me know what you think about this idea.

I recently discovered Disney's blog  and boy, does she do inspiring projects! (Yes, her name is Disney.) :D Hop over to her blog and be inspired! :D 

Ruffles and Stuff (Disney's Blog)

Winter Outfits

I hope you enjoy these Polyvore sets I made. :)

SNOW by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Banana Republic

And here is my favorite. ;)

December Ice by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Banana Republic

These outfits are perfect for the winter afternoon, or for the party you might be attending. ;) Both of the sets feature a net skirt and jeans, perfect for transitioning. ;) By the way, try guessing my favorite color for creating winter outfits. :P

~Gabrielle

What I'm Wearing - Ashley Nicole

 

~What I'm Wearing~

Jean Skirt - Made by me

Cream Mock-Turtleneck - St. John's Bay from JCPenny's 

Teal Cardigan - Worthington from JCPenny's

Brown Wedges - Xhilaration from Target

Channel Bead Ring - Arizona from JCPenny's

Layer Necklace - So from Kohl's

Shabby Chic T-Shirt

For some reason, when ever I get sick I get very inspired in all things creative! Sickness cranks up my creative juices, I guess. :P 

While I was sick in bed I was glancing through the magazine Belle Armoire, a delightful and inspiring magazine. I stumbled across an article by Bonzie that I had forgotten about, on taking plain t-shirts or tanks and changing them into something more creative. :)

A picture from the article by Bonzie.

Today I was feeling much better, and I have three old shirts were the sleeves had shrunk on me. So I decided to give the article a try. Here is my result. All I need was a little rick-rack, bias-tape, a fabric flower, a button, some ruffles and I have a one-of-a-kind t-shirt. Hurray!

My shirt started out as a regular turtleneck. As you can see above.

Step 1. Cut off the turtleneck part.

Step 2. Do what ever you want with the sleeves. I cut my sleeves a couple inches above my elbow.

Step 3. Do what ever you want to the neckline. I made mine into a v-neck, and added bias-tape around the neckline.

 

Step 4. Embellish in any way you want!  I added some ruffles, a flower, rick-rack from London, and a button. :D

The Finished Result

 

Ingrid Bergman - Casablanca (1942)

What can I say? I came down sick over Thanksgiving week-end. So, I decided to watch Casablanca for the first time. And I fell in love with Ingrid Bergman's clothes! :D And Ingrid looks just gorgeous in this film with her long hair! I have only seen her in two other films, Bells of St. Mary's and The Inn of Six Happiness, both of which she has short hair. Though, I must say, she has looked lovely in each film.

I also put together a Casablanca inspired set on Polyvore, right after I finished watching the movie. :P  What can I say? I was inspired! :) And I really like the song, As Time Goes By right now.

"As Time Goes By" by Bramblewood Fashion featuring Ralph Lauren

What about you? What is your favorite Ingrid Bergman film? Or, Humphrey Bogart, for that mater? :)