purplelace

@Synesthesia this definitely how it is with me. Reason why started getting tattooed was to cover scars on tops of arms. @keepcalm but will echo what everyone has said, if you want to get tattooed, get tattooed. My legs/feet aren't exactly small lol but fuck it, hasn't and won't stop me from getting tattooed. In fact am thinking of how to merge the ones on lower legs with the ones on tops of feet. The one on top of my left foot goes up a bit onto my ankle/leg join. Will be planning on merging that next session and, will talk to tattooist about going down onto ankle and with tops of feet to tie all together. Didn't mean to ramble, but I feel a lot better about my body now and how I look. Last year when started getting tattooed again, I started wearing shorts to get tattooed and I now I wear little black dress. Something that would never have happened in the past, and also being tattooed below the knee helps because I want to show them off. My tattoos have boosted my confidence esp in regards to my body, because I did not like how I looked. This is hard to write but I did have low body esteem, hated how I looked. Now I am happy with my body and how I look. Love wearing my little black dress to show off my tattoos. Just go for it, hell more tattoos not a bad thing! (Unless they are shite, then they are lol)

@PopsBdog cool, look forward to seeing the healed pics x

Can't remember the exact age but was very young. Remember being at the North Coast of Northern Ireland during the summer as a child. It was always full of bikers who were heavily tattooed. And then later one of my older bro's mates was heavily tattooed. Grew up thinking heavily tattooed were lots of fun, friendly and good for a laugh.

@sophistre loving the sleeve, it turned out great :) @ReDile love the ribs, love the old circus design

@PopsBdog I fucking love yours :) very pretty x

@PopsBdog loving it :) love the ear tattoo

tattoo update, aside from leg still hurting (thank fuck only got 2 calves), can feel scabs starting to form, looks fucking amazing! I am going to sleep on my front/left side. But sometimes wake up on back or on right side and fuck that hurts! No bother getting out of bed and walking straight away. Compared to front of leg/shin which hurt like a fucking bastard. Calf, none of this, though still only glad have only got two! One down, one to go.

Today one of co-workers and head of dept during one of breaks noticed me wincing a bit as sat down, they asked was I sore. I laughed and, said a bit tender yeah. We ended up having a 10 min chat about tattoos and how many more got planned. Neither of them like them personally, but they also don't care if people get tattooed or not. Really good chat with them, not first time talked about tattoos with them or other co-workers or even one of my bosses. All have said that I've changed their mind about heavily tattooed people. Which makes me smile. One of them said that her hubby rolls eyes and asks if daughter got another tattoo when he sees her. I laugh and ask what would he make of me? She just said, don't go there! Made me laugh. People in work are great, some of them ask what got done recently and ask to see pics. Just stupid no-tattoo rule stops me from showing them off when working. Doesn't stop me pulling up my jean leg to show them when they ask to see healed tattoo. Just can't walk around showing them off. Yeah I know, logic right? lol

My tattooed leg hurts like a fucking bastard! Calf def worse than rest of leg for after tattoo pain. Longest session for me to date has been 6hrs. Aside from a little light (from what can see) yellow coloured bruising, it seems to be on track. Redness and swelling long gone. Bepanthen is my best friend at the moment. Won't start to itch until the second week.

That is shite :( sorry to hear that. Especially when it's an old friend, but at same time a friend should accept you for who you are. Even though if they don't fully understand why or even what, you get tattooed. And at the end of the day, your body, you're not hurting anyone (well maybe yourself :p lol) but hopefully you get my meaning. Just my 2d's worth. My co-workers (including bosses and big boss of dept), don't understand why am so heavily tattooed, or why I keep going. Same with my friends. But, they all accept me for me. Maybe it's 'cause I really don't give a flying fuck what any of them think about my tattoos, means I get that reaction? *Shrugs* Don't let them drag you down.

@PopsBdog Thanks, it just came to me when I saw your post. Either way, it'll be a special tattoo for you both, are you both getting done at the same time?

Congrats on your silver wedding anniversary :) What about adding Ag into the tattoo? (Ag being Silver on the periodic table). It's just a thought. Look forward to seeing the finished piece :)

@jnin really? I've had opposite reaction when my legs are on show. I've had parents stop me and, say stuff like "do you mind stopping and showing my daughter/son your tattoos?" Or sometimes esp in places like shopping centres (you call them malls I believe in the states), where children are running around they stop and talk to me or just stare fascinated. Then parents come up and apologise, I just laugh and, say it's cool. Maybe it's because Belfast (where I get tattooed), really doesn't give a fuck about whether your tattooed or not? I've never had a parent move their child like that. Have this lovely sweet story, when was on way to get the Giger portrait done, walked through shopping centre. And this 4yr old was running from parents and just stopped dead in front of me. Started at the Oni Mask, he was properly transfixed. His mother asked if I could follow them around all day, because it was the quietest he's ever been :D That made me smile.

@xcom ah, a kindred spirit :) no problem, you're more than welcome x I laughed all the way through getting both tops of my feet done, had to actually hold the foot down, 'cause it was shaking when I laughed. It was really ticklish to me. But, we all know am a freak :)

I would agree with what has been said and, don't get something that cements your fears. But instead, rather something that will help you overcome them. If you're going for a nautical theme (which seems to be that way going by suggestions), how about a nautical star or an anchor? Or thundercloud with lightening? Or a lone dragon near the clipper ship?

Yeah the first one who tries to pull up my dress to see my other leg tattoos, will get politely told to fuck off and, a swift left hook (if they're lucky). Have had men joke asking if going all the way up, when say already have gone there, look on faces so funny. But that is not on, people lifting your sleeve. Tell them to fuck off and ask them what the fuck are they doing? Have done that in past, when a top shows some peeking underneath. Yeah, they pull their hand away quite quickly *smiles sweetly* One comment I got last year made me laugh. This woman in fave pub, as was paying tab, commented on my tattoos. Other regulars (men) where there and, they asked to see what had got done. She said to me "You just get tattooed so men look at you. It's in fashion now and, you only do it to be cool." I burst out laughing and replied "Fuck off! Been getting tattooed for 16 years and, besides you know fuck all about me, so please, kindly fuck off!" That made me laugh... *shakes head* Also heard of heavily tattooed people moaning at people looking at them and, coming up to them asking questions. Well simple solution, don't walk around with your tattoos on show! I've had loads come up to me to talk about them, if I have time, I'll talk to them. If not, I just say something like "Sorry, can't talk now but can answer quick question if you want." Manners cost fuck all and that goes same for tattooed people as well. Have heard of some tattooed being rude to people who just asked where they got their work done. We get prejudiced enough, without doing ourselves no favours. Didn't mean this to be a rant! Will stop now.

"what?" *innocent look* I just type same way as I talk *shrugs* Is it not a common thing in the states then? People swearing? I thought it was.

@xcom I used nappy cream for both my feet. And no problems with it, only thing is that walk or rest as much as possible without shoes or socks on. It will hurt like a fucking bastard afterwards and, walking is awkward as fuck. Avoid steps if at all possible! I found that a rolled up towel under the ankle helped ease it a bit when it was elevated. If standing while talking, avoid having weight on the tattooed foot. It will swell, esp if you have to walk after getting tattooed, so wear shoes that are loose or can be loosened. Also socks that are a size bigger, well for foot getting tattooed at least. Have been told it hurts, so be prepared for that. Think that's it x

@xcom, your body dude! You're the one that has to cope with the aftermath of it :p

@xcom are you fucking crazy? :p see I'm vaguely sensible and got my lower right leg complete in 4 sessions (one tattoo was 2 sessions, cause he had to stop, 'cause next apt for him had arrived).

Often on way to get tattooed or way back from. More so than wearing shorts or short dress to show leg ones off. Still get some prejudge towards them. Though did make me laugh, cause when was outside of fave pub on Thurs night after getting inked, two men (not bouncers they just asked what got done now lol) said "I don't know whether to look at you or read you." is funny, but on flip side of that am aware of looks and whispers that a woman is so heavily tattooed, but *shrug* their problem not mine. All that aside, I have changed people's views on heavily tattooed people. Had more than a few people come to me and say so, which is lovely.

@xcom how long was session and, was it the calf you got done?

hope you work wasn't too bad @exume tattoo update: redness gone, swelling gone... bruised to fuck! looks fucking amazing :D

look forward to seeing the finished product when you get it done :) @Isotope

When this one heals will call in to book next one. Seems to be how I'm doing things now and it's working out well. Will be in Belfast again early June, so will call in then to book it. Next will be a filler, in between portrait of H R Giger and Tyrael with Giger wings. Talking about doing something behind Tyrael as well and, yes will be in Giger style.