Candy Girl

Hello dearhearts! If you read the last post then you'll know i've been away for a week. I actually got back last Wednesday evening but i've been verrrrrry busy trying to organize my room (and my life) as well as attempting a massive clear-out of old stuff I no longer need!

Anyway it's taken me since then to think up a new blog post + to conjure up another new member of the Candy Doll Club... sort of

here she is

i know, i know... she's tooth achingly sweet! What did you expect?!

now when I say 'new' what I mean is 'reworked', since this one is technically a re-working of an old Xmas Candy Doll illustration I completed last December.

Back when I drew the lineart (and yes, I did DRAW most of this one on paper first) I couldn't think of a theme or colour palette for her so I ended up coming up with the Candy Cane polka dotted madness that you can see above.

So yesterday evening I was scrolling through some old illustrations and I thought about how much I liked the pose so wouldn't it be fun to turn her into a proper CANDY girl?!

So I did.

For this radical redesign, I was actually inspired by v brilliant French Blogger and style maven extraordinaire Katia aka LazyKat

I've followed (in a non stalkerish sense) most of her online profiles for a few years now (her Instagram is particularly epic - iamlazykat) and i'm always amazed by and insanely jealous of her pastel pretty style and very gorgeous (and highly enviable) wardrobe of clothes and accessories!

She always posts fabulously put together outfits and she's basically a real live human version of a 'Candy Doll'!

As well as being an all round Pastel Babe, Kat also has heaps of candy cute tattoos including a few My Little Pony ones, hence why the latest illustrated member of the Candy Doll Club has her two fave Ponies on her arms + another on her shirt.

And i chose My Little Pony because come on... who doesn't love some classic My Little Pony?!i grew up with stacks of the toys (i've probably got some up in the attic still) and i used to love watching the cartoons on TV.

so BIG thanks for the pastel inspiration Kat! merci beaucoup, tu es magnifique!

* * *

in other slightly less colourful news, i had a WONDERFUL time away visiting family in Coventry, a really lovely week which included a particularly laughter filled visit to Leamington with my two darling nieces Madison and Daisy

i managed to snap this pic of them in a Fancy Dress shop, they always cheer me up no matter what!

and... i can't think of anything else to talk about so that'll have to do for now!

so until next time, whenever that may be, cheerio and thanks for reading!

Candy Characters and Commissions ★

so today i've been at home all day, curled up editing design files for a brand new commission

believe it or not but yesterday i genuinely DID have a blog post all ready to go... but it was a long day yesterday spent chained to my desk at college editing stuff, writing my SOI, talking to tutors, chatting to fellow HNDers, researching picture books, sketching storyboards and even holding a little business meeting over the phone for aforementioned new commission!

this meant that when i eventually got home i sort of accidentally fell asleep and by the time i woke up it was too late to post!!!

Anyway, in the last blog post I promised you some new Candy Characters and you know i'd hate to disappoint so...

(Copyright © Jade Boylan 2011. All Rights Reserved.)

they're not really 'new' per se, just new outfit designs I guess! + there are some more tweaked girls playing the parts of two NEW Candy Princesses

i'm not entirely sure where i'm going with these, so i guess they're a sort of collective work in progress for the time being!

so far this term (well, all 5 days of it!!!) i've not really got a specific plan in mind for what i'd like to do so who knows, I might end up pursuing some picture book illustration again! but whether that means finishing 'Where's Charlie?” or coming up with a full story for the Cupcake Princess... i'm not really sure!

we'll all just have to wait and see...

* * *

In other news... there isn't really any other news! I HAVE finished a new Pinup girl but i'm not going to share her with you... just yet!

back to college tomorrow where hopefully i'll get to spend the morning in the Ceramics studio whipping up some groovy little bits and bobs using clay!

so until next time, that's all folks... ◕‿◕ ★ xX 

Art and Shopping ★

wow art AND shopping in one post... well they are two of my favourite things, what did you expect!!!

anyway, while i was in Kinsale yesterday i also took the opportunity to re-visit a fabulous little gallery shop i saw last year during my visit (see old post - kicking back in kinsale) 

this gallery always seems to be filled with the most incredible paintings and ceramic pieces, this year was no exception

(artwork shown here by: Ruthie Ashenhurst, Carolanne Crosbie, Lucia Parle, John Lawrence, Amélie Gagné, Sara Roberts, Adrian Wistreich, Julian Smith, Victor Richardson)

while i was there i also treated myself to this beautiful little ceramic heart brooch, made by wonderfully talented Irish artist Lucia Parle. isn't it pretty!!! 

here's some more of her gorgeous Ceramics work (images via Crafts Council of Ireland)

* * *

so today i just wandered around Cork City Centre again for a few hours since i love the shops on St Patrick's street so much! super duper fun times!

anyway, since i've been out this week near so many wonderful shops, obviously i've ended up treating myself to one or two little bits and bobs!

i thought today i could show you some of the lovely stuff i've bought so far...

well there's the truly awesome pencil necklace and crayon bracelet!!! i figured that being an artist they'd be quite suitable! (Accessorize, Cork)

a colourful little pinwheel pencil! because let's face it... who doesn't love a pinwheel on a pencil!!! (Stationary Shop, Kinsale)

a big ol' yummy rainbow swirl lollipop! tutti frutti goodness!!! (Aunty Nellie's Sweet Shop, Kinsale)

a yummy cupcake scented air freshener. it's for my room... i already have a different strawberry cupcake one hanging from my calender! don't judge!!! (Accessorize, Cork)

a pair of gorgeous pencil cases/cosmetics bags that i couldn't resist! (Jello, Kinsale)

a lovely vintage glass beaded velvet and satin tie-up belt, loved the tasseled rope ties! (PaNdEmOnIuM, Kinsale) 

+ a pretty print, i spotted it in the window of a stationary shop in Kinsale and just knew i had to have it!!! 

it's by British Illustrator Julie Fletcher (print from James Ellis)

i've actually seen some of Julie's work once or twice before floating about online, i just loved the colours in this print though + the adorable little characters! love, love, love it

* * *

anyway, since it was our last day in Cork, today my mum also decided to treat herself to something special! 

i met her outside Brown Thomas and after we had a lovely wander around the handbag hall, she eventually settled for a gorgeous Michael Kors handbag!

 it's a lovely bag, very smart with a fabulous metallic lining and pretty 'MK' charm on the front

very swish! we make quite the stylish pair, her with her MK tote and my with my new Gucci Indy :)

* * *

oh and before i forget, i also popped back in to Peacock and Ruby + Miss Daisy Blue in the market today to say thanks again for being allowed to snap so many pictures of those gorgeous shops! so big thanks again to Breda at Miss Daisy Blue and Noelle (who i met today) and Jill at Peacock and Ruby, thank you :) x

* * *

well i guess that's it for today! tomorrow we're packing up and heading up to Waterford for 2 days (which isn't nearly enough time!!!) so look out for pics of my adventures!

but until then, that's all folks... ◕‿◕ ★ xX

★ ♥ August Giveaway ♥ ★

wait what... a giveaway... really?!

YES!!!!

i promised you all an August Giveaway to say thank you for getting me to 100 blog followers

so... without any further ado! let's have a look at what YOU could win this time!!!

oh my look at all that pretty stuff! please allow me to 'break it down' for you...

up for grabs we have, three gorrrrgeous British Summertime themed necklaces: an ice cream one, a mini ceramic teapot one + a diddy wellington boot  + tartan bow one + a pair of ridiculously cute polka dot bow earrings (from 'Accessorize' and Douglas, Isle of Man)

there's also a super duper awesome Hello Kitty embroidered luggage tag, possibly THE best luggage tag ever... fact (from 'Funny Love' Douglas, Isle of Man)

add to that four adorable pouting lips magnets, a charming little metal 'with love' tag (both from 'Curphey's' Douglas, Isle of Man) + a lovely embroidered felt lavender heart (handmade by me!!!) 

i'm also giving away one of my limited 'Let them eat cake' Postcards + 2 brilliant vinyl stickers featuring my 'sugar skull' and 'lollipops' designs (postcards available via - etsy shop and stickers available via - redbubble)

and last but certainly not least... since everyone LOVED the poodle necklace from the last giveaway (see original post here - Blog Birthday Giveaway) i decided to put another poodle necklace in THIS giveaway!!! 

+ i'm all adding an equally as adorable and gorgeous little bunny necklace (both from fabulous kawaii shop 'Funny Love' in Douglas, Isle of Man)

there's also this cute little fairtrade handmade mini notebook from Peacock & Ruby in Cork, Ireland

and a sheet of candy coloured kawaii bubble stickers from Accessorize in Cork

and last but not least... a yummy little rainbow swirl lollipop

pretty amazing and downright gorrrrgeous stuff right!!! 

and who knows... i'm off to Ireland on Sunday so there might even be a few more little bits and bobs added to the bundle!!!

♥ ♥ ♥

alrighty then on to the MOST important part! how can YOU enter to win it all . . .

oh and remember i don't care if you're on the other side of the planet, if you win the giveaway i will post this stuff out to you, no problem!

i know i have a lot of international followers and i don't want any of you to think that you can't enter!

YOU CAN (in fact, please do!!! the last giveaway winner was from Canada and the one before that was from the USA and those countries are soooo far away from where i live yet i posted it all out no bother! so i am happy to post these goodies out no matter where the winner lives!)

also, the competition is open to both BOYS and GIRLS! i know the stuff i giveaway is kind of cute and girly but lads, if you take a fancy to any of the giveaway goodies don't be shy, feel free to take part and enter the giveaway...

maybe you'd like to try and win the stuff for your girlfriend/wife, your sister, a family member or friend... 

GO FOR IT!

ok so to enter all you have to do is comment on THIS here post right here on this here page right here that you are reading... here just scroll down and leave a comment HERE

(even if it's just a word, leave a comment and you'll automatically be entered)

alternately, if you follow me on Twitter @jadeboylan you can retweet to enter or send me an '@' reply/mention saying that you want to be entered in the giveaway. just put 'count me in' or something to that effect maybe put 'gimme the prizes' or something :)

leaving a comment here is simple but if you don't have a blogger account you can send an email to this address telling me that you want to enter - info@jadeboylan.com

and you can also "like' or leave a comment on the Facebook Fan Page scroll down until you find a post mentioning the giveaway or just leave me a little wall post saying that you'd like to enter

it's  really T H A T  simple!

to gain extra entries you can also reblog me once or twice on tumblr - jadeboylan

i'll reblog about the giveaway at least once a day so just scroll my page until you find it or check my archive to find it quicker

(i had a surprisingly high amount of tumblr entries last time i did a giveaway in fact the winner was a tumblr girl so if you have a tumblr account i'd DEFINITELY recommend entering there as well) 

oh and for an extra EXTRA entry you can mention this giveaway in a blog post but if you do this then please PLEASE leave a comment linking it or send me a link so that i can see the post and count your entry

in fact one of the last Giveaway winners mentioned my giveaway on her blog so you know. . . get blogging dudes and dudettes!

♥ ♥ ♥

maximum of 6 entries per person

(that gives you a comment here/email, like/comment on facebook, retweet/mention on twitter, a blog mention or a couple of tumblr reblogs or multiple likes/comments/retweets if you don't use tumblr. also, if you do reblog it on tumblr please know that i'll only count up to two or three reblogs as separate entries, any more and you'll only be doing me a favour... they won't be counted!)

the giveaway is running until Midnight (UK time) on Wednesday the 31st of August 2011

so... you have 20 days to enter!!!

i will draw a winner on the Thursday morning (1st of September) using a random number generator

i'll post the results later that same day (the Thursday) and the winner will be notified via email, facebook, tumblr or twitter accordingly

so go NOW and enter the giveaway

DON'T sit there and pretend you wouldn't like to get send this little bundle of loveliness in the post... because i KNOW that you want it!

SCROLL DOWN THE BLOG ENTRY, LEAVE YOUR COMMENT AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY NOW!!!

* * *

yay giveaway times again! i LOVE doing these little giveaways, i always spend a big chunk of cash on the prizes and i know it might seem daft for me to just give it all away to a stranger but i luuuuurve holding giveaways on my blog :)

i've been busy this week working on commissions + sewing some stuff, yesterday i had a lovely day with family + a trip to the theatre but i'll have to tell you about that another day!

so until then, that's all folks... ★ ◕‿◕ xX