purplelace

@bongsau yes agree to this to an extent. Well to the extent of front of legs, back of legs still has some free space. Though in saying that I know what want done and where. For pretty much the rest of my legs, front and back. Including knees and back of knees, yeah lots of planning done. Though my OCD dictates where I get tattooed next and, of course the where dictates what I get done.

@misterJ that's a good idea, that could work well @Isotope where on your body are you thinking of getting this tattooed?

My tattooist says no swimming, but that means no swimming pools. I don't swim but imagine the chlorine wouldn't be good for it. I don't know about the ocean, but water here is always cold. Most people who are crazy enough to into it wear wetsuits. Would imagine that wetsuits not good for new tattoos either. I also don't have a bath for at least 3 weeks from tattoo day. I keep the hot water away from it in the shower. Bepanthen (nappy cream), is applied thinly. Have heard some stories that just make you shake your head and think "what the FUCK were you thinking?" but that's it, they don't think. I've had so many people ask me about tattoo after care, stuff like "how much nappy cream should I put on?" Or asking me "tattoo is like this, is that normal?" <insert normal ailment here> Thinking of starting to charge people a consultation fee! lol A lot of people don't listen to the tattooists after care instructions and, do their own thing. Then they fucking wonder why their tattoo is messed up! *sighs*

I honestly don't think you'll get grief from any tattooist when you bring in your own sketch. It's better to give them an idea of what is in your head and, let them play about with the design to improve it. My own has said several times, if I want to bring him a rough sketch even if it is shite, just to give him an idea of what is in my head, then to go for it. Personally I think as long as it's not on a phone the day you go in, then it's all good. That's my 2d's worth anyway.

@Beans One of my tattoos on my arm was during period and I swore if I could help it, never fucking again! All the rest either been before or after period. Newest tattoo my period ended on Wednesday and got new on the Thursday! The times got tattooed before period, it did hurt bit more afterwards than getting it done just after period or when not near cycle. Totally agree with @beez if you can schedule around it. And on the subject of clothes, I just wear black bootleg jeans, they are loose enough on leg to wear with new tattoos and not tight on any part of my leg. (Though they do make my ass look good) As for top half, practically live in hoodies all year round. Office is cold so wear clothes for it and, not what it is outside, though it is Ireland we're talking about here so never gets stupid hot lol Sometimes do wear t-shirts to work, but they are short-sleeved and, they cover those tattoos that are on the tops of my arms. Tattooist asked me on Thursday, if ever would get forearms done. I laughed and, said some day might say fuck it and get them done but for now, no. He just grinned and, said fair enough. Could see him looking longingly at my arms, thinking of what he could do with them. Yeah, sorry for tangent x

Always pay in cash and never had any qualms carrying cash with me. I agree something symbolic about paying cash for tattoos, it feels right. Personally, wouldn't feel right paying with a card. My tattooist only mentioned price once and that was with the Giger portrait, he asked if had a budget, told him tattoo fund was at max and he laughed and said no budget then. He knows how much I have in my max tattoo fund that have with me (subject came up when first started seeing him regularly last year). Though never have reached anywhere near that. I have a plastic envelope which I decorated that I put money in for tattoos and, top it up when get paid. It is just for tattoos, that way I know what I have. The remainder from each session stays in it, so just need to top up. Yes am that fucking organised. I find it makes things easier when getting regularly tattooed. I decorated another plastic envelope (differently of course), to keep money for hotel stays in. Because I travel to see mine, 50 miles and public transport is shite after a certain hour, I stay first night in a hotel. So the money for the hotel stay goes into my hotel envelope. Even if not getting tattooed hotel money, goes into hotel envelope. My OCD likes to be organised. We don't tip over here, but I am a crafter and have plans on making him something, just to say thank you. Even though I gush that I fucking love him after every tattoo, but you know what I mean (I hope!)

tattoo update: slept like dead last night, angry red gone though still a bit red. My ankle is swollen to fuck. Though it is easier to walk on today and it looks fucking amazing :D

@xcom you thought I was male? lol awww cute! no probs and thank you, will get there

Few months ago, by a fluke, managed to get a little black dress from Dorothy Perkins. It's skater style and has black lace on front. Always wear a hoodie over it, cause would be too cold otherwise. Aside from really showing off my leg tattoos, it also makes my cleavage look fucking amazing!! Lol got it, flaunt it right? Though little black dress in question is stupid short at the back, but I wear home-made cut off denim hot pants underneath, maintain some modesty lol If didn't wear hoodie over the dress, it would also show off some of top of arm tattoos, as it's got cap sleeves. But, doubt that'll ever happen. Though it made me laugh, yesterday on way to get tattooed, I passed a girl wearing a little black dress. But she was pulling it down at the front. Anyone else notice women that do this? If you're that uncomfortable wearing a short dress then why wear one? I don't understand it.

The showing designs on phone thing must be really fucking annoying! I mean it's not hard to print it out or take original artwork with you. Yesterday during a break, was chatting to my tattooist about future tattoos and showed him couple of pics on phone, but I'll be bringing the original artwork in when it comes to getting it tattooed. Surely that is just common sense?

@xcom, ta bit hard to sleep on front when boobs get in way lol was really surprised fell asleep getting the thing done. Though maybe cause right foot was hanging off the chair helped. In hotel and tried sleeping with foot hanging off side of bed, as bottom of bed has an end board, so can't hang foot off end of it. I am resting and not back into work till Tuesday, so got a long weekend to rest. Tattooist said that near ankle will hurt, so expecting that to kick in sometime soon. No idea what that drug is, but got stronger painkillers back at the house. And fuck ringing down for ice at this hour lol I'll live, just well erm... Yeah suffering a bit at the moment, will be worth it though.

Currently playing Diablo III, (3rd playthrough) on PS3. My Monk is lvl 70, Paragon lvl 11. He's currently in Act III on Hard. And he does look badass :-D My Monk was first playthrough on normal, then played again with a Crusader on normal. Now back to Monk on Hard, I did play about in adventure mode before getting bored and jumping into Hard. Lots of fun. My Monk now has fireballs with his lashing tail kick. Fireballs!! Fireballs are fucking cool!

Nearly 4am here and not fucking slept! Tattoo, fuck it hurts! Calf definitely sorest place got tattooed to date. It is also now red as fuck! Not swollen much yet, but expect that to come. And of course the bruising. Painkillers aren't cutting it. Have stronger ones at home, will be taking them when get back. All part of the fun though... right? lol

Got back of lower right leg tattooed today and, have to say that the calf was far more uncomfortable than shin. Still feel asleep getting tattooed, though hurts more when put weight on it. But not complaining, I'll live. Personally for me tops of feet and ankle were no problem, apart from being really ticklish! Ribs and hip tickled as well Yeah I know I'm a freak :p lol

Edited post. New tattoo done today, Samurai by H R Giger. This is also The Hermit in the Giger tarot. Back of lower right leg, that's the lower right leg complete. 4&1/2 hrs and, yes I did sleep through most of it. Done by Tommygunn, Belfast City Skinworks, Belfast. Reference pic... Fresh tattoo pic and, you can see how he merged it with the other tattoos...

booked in for next one, in a couple of weeks time. filler at back of lower right leg and yes, pics will be shared.

@knucklehead211 thanks for sharing pics, looking good loving all the new pics :) have to wait till next week, before go back to Belfast to book next one.

fucking beautiful :)

@sophistre fucking beautiful arm :) @Isaiah118 like the broken rosary for the wording :) @knucklehead211 shame you didn't get a pic before the cling film went on :( As regards the coverage chat, always had planned mine from when started getting tattooed that they would be individual pieces that would all eventually be merged. Which is starting to slowly happen.

I did have an idea for inner right thigh, but thinking of something want done on back of left thigh, which would make would have planned for back of right thigh not work. It would mean am not in balance, so will probably be shifting things around a bit. Ah the joys of OCD and tattoos...

tattoo update, oh those "lovely scabs" are starting to form, itchy state slowly getting worse, fuck I hate this stage! Bepanthen not far away! Co-workers today noticed am walking properly again lol one who hadn't seen me since before Easter break asked how I was, said she had heard got new tattoo. Showed her on phone and, she gave me that look. That look that screamed sympathy but also tainted with "you're fucking crazy!" Aim to make trip to Belfast at the end of the month to book in for next one, which am looking forward to already.

Back to work today after Easter break and in jeans, the jeans I have are bootcut so they are loose at the leg, ideal for healing leg tattoos :) lots asked "why you limping... oh wait, new tattoo? Can I see?" lol showed them on phone then carefully lifted up jean leg to show, won't be showing anyone until it's healed. Tonight it really does look bad! Still bit of redness and swelling and bruising, fuck it's bruising bad! Tattooist said it would 'cause of fall, but am okay. Loving everyone's reaction to it. Poor H R really does look like he's been in a fight! lol Itchy not too bad, fortunate am able to apply bepanthen at my desk as and when I need too.

@xcom that is pretty :)

Been so long since got thighs done, the memory of what it was like afterwards has drifted into the ether :p wish you luck @SeeSea and, am sure you'll be fine. Do have some space on thigh which will eventually get filled in and there is the back of thigh that needs done too. One thing do remember, don't have sex the same day/night as new thigh tattoo (esp if front of thigh) ... it fucking hurts!

One of my friends made me laugh, he said he saw a tattoo pain scale poster in his tattooists. He said if I was there and saw it, I'd probably burst out laughing! But, then again as well all know I'm not the normal when am getting tattooed :p