sbhikes

I don't know if you can see the swelling in my ankle, but here it is.

I think it was even worse by the end of the day.
The other side of my leg is a matching rose but it was not colored in. It was less swollen but more red. Even the untattooed parts were red.
Judging by the experiences everybody is describing here, I'd say if you just have nasty swelling and redness that it's probably normal and unrelated to the color. Of course, I don't know for sure. Just thought if your leg looks anything like mine maybe you'll feel better about it.
Hopefully I'll get the other side finished on Monday. More swelling...

These roses are unusual (from http://web.stagram.com/p/436134954046273325_6075972):

And then this image has interesting roses. They have the little jelly candies in the middle and are also flat and opened on the outside with the middles still unopened. I think that is kind of interesting. I wish I knew what to call the jelly candies. (From .@mykechambers | #tattoo #tattoos | Webstagram - the best Instagram viewer)

I really love those molars. The whole thing is really nice.

This was the first ever 'Traditional' tattoo I got, late last year, and I think I got a good one!
By Frank Carter, Frith Street, London.

I get my big blue ankle roses finished on Monday!

How do people get weird tattoos? What I mean is, I subscribe to Our Endless Days and a couple other blogs and watch the tattoos scroll in each day and sometimes they are really super weird. I would not ever come up with ideas like that and I can't imagine if I did that I could ever communicate to another person the details of my crazy idea.
Here are some examples.
What did the customer say? "Please give me a skull and flowers and put an afro on half the skull with the eye popping through? Oh and put green octopus tentacles at the ends of the bones." Really?? How could anybody think of this?

Or how about this one. "Please give me a brown rose with the outside petals looking like a sunflower and the inner ones black like a bowl of hearts with white outlines." It's beautiful but how does one muster the creativity to ask for something so unique?

I didn't even know what this was until I looked at it for 10 minutes. How does someone describe this to an artist? Or do they?

Okay, I want a tiger that's a stand-up comedian with a flower on its chest and a foot standing on a skull. Put a fish swimming up the cord into the microphone.

I'm not criticizing these tattoos. I honestly would like to know how one goes about acquiring such strange tattoos. I could never think this stuff up myself but it would be so cool to have something weird like this.

Do they ever keep these ideas in a folder somewhere? What I would really love to do is be able to ask to see a folder of ideas they've wanted to do and pick one.

How do people get weird tattoos? What I mean is, I subscribe to Our Endless Days and a couple other blogs and watch the tattoos scroll in each day and sometimes they are really super weird. I would not ever come up with ideas like that and I can't imagine if I did that I could ever communicate to another person the details of my crazy idea.
Here are some examples.
What did the customer say? "Please give me a skull and flowers and put an afro on half the skull with the eye popping through? Oh and put green octopus tentacles at the ends of the bones." Really?? How could anybody think of this?

Or how about this one. "Please give me a brown rose with the outside petals looking like a sunflower and the inner ones black like a bowl of hearts with white outlines." It's beautiful but how does one muster the creativity to ask for something so unique?

I didn't even know what this was until I looked at it for 10 minutes. How does someone describe this to an artist? Or do they?

Okay, I want a tiger that's a stand-up comedian with a flower on its chest and a foot standing on a skull. Put a fish swimming up the cord into the microphone.

I'm not criticizing these tattoos. I honestly would like to know how one goes about acquiring such strange tattoos. I could never think this stuff up myself but it would be so cool to have something weird like this.

How do people get weird tattoos? What I mean is, I subscribe to Our Endless Days and a couple other blogs and watch the tattoos scroll in each day and sometimes they are really super weird. I would not ever come up with ideas like that and I can't imagine if I did that I could ever communicate to another person the details of my crazy idea.
Here are some examples.
What did the customer say? "Please give me a skull and flowers and put an afro on half the skull with the eye popping through? Oh and put green octopus tentacles at the ends of the bones." Really?? How could anybody think of this?

Or how about this one. "Please give me a brown rose with the outside petals looking like a sunflower and the inner ones black like a bowl of hearts with white outlines." It's beautiful but how does one muster the creativity to ask for something so unique?

I didn't even know what this was until I looked at it for 10 minutes. How does someone describe this to an artist? Or do they?

Okay, I want a tiger that's a stand-up comedian with a flower on its chest and a foot standing on a skull. Put a fish swimming up the cord into the microphone.

I'm not criticizing these tattoos. I honestly would like to know how one goes about acquiring such strange tattoos. I could never think this stuff up myself but it would be so cool to have something weird like this.

I get my big blue ankle roses finished on Monday!

These roses are unusual (from http://web.stagram.com/p/436134954046273325_6075972):

And then this image has interesting roses. They have the little jelly candies in the middle and are also flat and opened on the outside with the middles still unopened. I think that is kind of interesting. I wish I knew what to call the jelly candies. (From .@mykechambers | #tattoo #tattoos | Webstagram - the best Instagram viewer)

That sounds a little overly dramatic but I am surprised how my recent tattoos have made such a difference.
My first tattoos were gotten in my late 20s. I'm in my late 40s now. Like most people I didn't know much about the differences in quality between tattooers. The tattoos I got were not very good and overall it was a disappointing experience. I went almost 20 years before ever getting another tattoo.
I commemorated an achievement with a tattoo about 3 years ago. It was large and prominent which scared the crap out of me. I still haven't told my mother! But during these three years this tattoo has actually made my life better. People stop me on the street to ask about it and it lets me reminisce about the achievement. Because it has been such a positive experience I decided I would cover up my old crummy ones.
I recently covered up my shoulder with a nice bird and wow, that has made a difference. When I wear certain shirts, the bird's face peeks out from the neckline. It's fun to shop now with the idea of how to show her off. I have gotten a lot of compliments. A lot of people without tattoos will tell me that they don't like tattoos but they like my bird.
I'm currently covering up my ankle with giant blue roses. I was nervous to see how big they would be but so far, even unfinished, they seem to be changing everything. I am no longer ashamed of my ugly old tattoo. If anything my new tattoo improves how I feel about my body. I'm female and big-boned, kind of a weight-lifter body type, and it's a definite difference to feel good about the appearance of my body. I feel more confident and pretty. I kind of feel like I got my leg back.
Am I the only one to have this sort of thing happen?
P.S. My bird is in my images and the flowers will go there once they are finished.

That sounds a little overly dramatic but I am surprised how my recent tattoos have made such a difference.
My first tattoos were gotten in my late 20s. I'm in my late 40s now. Like most people I didn't know much about the differences in quality between tattooers. The tattoos I got were not very good and overall it was a disappointing experience. I went almost 20 years before ever getting another tattoo.
I commemorated an achievement with a tattoo about 3 years ago. It was large and prominent which scared the crap out of me. I still haven't told my mother! But during these three years this tattoo has actually made my life better. People stop me on the street to ask about it and it lets me reminisce about the achievement. Because it has been such a positive experience I decided I would cover up my old crummy ones.
I recently covered up my shoulder with a nice bird and wow, that has made a difference. When I wear certain shirts, the bird's face peeks out from the neckline. It's fun to shop now with the idea of how to show her off. I have gotten a lot of compliments. A lot of people without tattoos will tell me that they don't like tattoos but they like my bird.
I'm currently covering up my ankle with giant blue roses. I was nervous to see how big they would be but so far, even unfinished, they seem to be changing everything. I am no longer ashamed of my ugly old tattoo. If anything my new tattoo improves how I feel about my body. I'm female and big-boned, kind of a weight-lifter body type, and it's a definite difference to feel good about the appearance of my body. I feel more confident and pretty. I kind of feel like I got my leg back.
Am I the only one to have this sort of thing happen?
P.S. My bird is in my images and the flowers will go there once they are finished.

I am in a relationship with someone who has no tattoos. I only have 3 tattoos though. I'm 48 years old and he is 62. I think it would seem odd to me if he got a tattoo. It doesn't quite suit his personality. I consider myself more of a free spirit so it makes more sense to me to have tattoos. In any case, I don't think either of us needs to consult the other about it.
When I got my first tattoo I was about 27 or so. The tattooist said they were addicting and that I would get more. I did go get one more but it was such a horrible experience that I didn't get another one for decades. They guy totally botched the job and I actually hid my leg in shame for a year until I got it fixed. I still don't really like the tattoo very much but at least it's not totally embarrassing.
Recently I got a larger tattoo that is pretty good and it is so different to have a large, good tattoo. Now I understand why they are addicting. But I still don't seem myself as a "tattooed person". I feel out of place in tattoo shops. I'm not cool. I'm just an ordinary middle-class square type person. Boring. Maybe I'll change that when I'm old.

Yes, very pretty. I am really very happy. It looks so much better big. Here's one side that is pretty much finished.

I had a 20-year-old ankle bracelet of small flowers I have hated for pretty much all 20 years. Last night I went in for my cover-up. It is not finished.
Here is the side that is done. I think it is done anyway.

Here's the front

Here's the side that isn't done where you can see the old stuff

Here's where it meets in the back

I lack any artistic skill so basically it was all up to the artist. My only suggestion was bigger flowers and then after he drew them and there was that empty space in the front, I suggested those red ball thingies. He's a genius as far as I'm concerned. Look at those amazing leaves! Even the leaves are beautiful. I was really scared when I saw how big he was going but oh my god, look at how nice it looks on my big fat leg!
We ran out of time last night and I was getting pretty swollen and exhausted. I am really looking forward to seeing the final product.
(P.S. The map and emblem of the Pacific Crest Trail were already there.)

Yes, very pretty. I am really very happy. It looks so much better big. Here's one side that is pretty much finished.

I had a 20-year-old ankle bracelet of small flowers I have hated for pretty much all 20 years. Last night I went in for my cover-up. It is not finished.
Here is the side that is done. I think it is done anyway.

Here's the front

Here's the side that isn't done where you can see the old stuff

Here's where it meets in the back

I lack any artistic skill so basically it was all up to the artist. My only suggestion was bigger flowers and then after he drew them and there was that empty space in the front, I suggested those red ball thingies. He's a genius as far as I'm concerned. Look at those amazing leaves! Even the leaves are beautiful. I was really scared when I saw how big he was going but oh my god, look at how nice it looks on my big fat leg!
We ran out of time last night and I was getting pretty swollen and exhausted. I am really looking forward to seeing the final product.
(P.S. The map and emblem of the Pacific Crest Trail were already there.)

Yes, very pretty. I am really very happy. It looks so much better big. Here's one side that is pretty much finished.

I had a 20-year-old ankle bracelet of small flowers I have hated for pretty much all 20 years. Last night I went in for my cover-up. It is not finished.
Here is the side that is done. I think it is done anyway.

Here's the front

Here's the side that isn't done where you can see the old stuff

Here's where it meets in the back

I lack any artistic skill so basically it was all up to the artist. My only suggestion was bigger flowers and then after he drew them and there was that empty space in the front, I suggested those red ball thingies. He's a genius as far as I'm concerned. Look at those amazing leaves! Even the leaves are beautiful. I was really scared when I saw how big he was going but oh my god, look at how nice it looks on my big fat leg!
We ran out of time last night and I was getting pretty swollen and exhausted. I am really looking forward to seeing the final product.
(P.S. The map and emblem of the Pacific Crest Trail were already there.)

I had a 20-year-old ankle bracelet of small flowers I have hated for pretty much all 20 years. Last night I went in for my cover-up. It is not finished.
Here is the side that is done. I think it is done anyway.

Here's the front

Here's the side that isn't done where you can see the old stuff

Here's where it meets in the back

I lack any artistic skill so basically it was all up to the artist. My only suggestion was bigger flowers and then after he drew them and there was that empty space in the front, I suggested those red ball thingies. He's a genius as far as I'm concerned. Look at those amazing leaves! Even the leaves are beautiful. I was really scared when I saw how big he was going but oh my god, look at how nice it looks on my big fat leg!
We ran out of time last night and I was getting pretty swollen and exhausted. I am really looking forward to seeing the final product.
(P.S. The map and emblem of the Pacific Crest Trail were already there.)

Ha ha I just violated my own statement above. My coverup pretty much covers half my leg all the way around. It's beautiful, or will be, because it's not finished. I think these roses are bigger than real roses! Oh well, I'm ruined now. Nothing to let me pretend I'm just a regular lady.

Just to be clear, I do not dislike beautiful sleeves with a lot of background. That is just not the look I would want for myself. I would either want something like those legs full of traditional tattoos that were posted in another thread or something like some of the beautiful arms in Victoria Elwood's portfolio with the huge flowers, birds, bees and lots of negative space. I only don't want to tattoo the front of my body because I'm still a working person and not so talented I can flaunt authority too much and honestly, I just don't see myself as a heavily tattooed person so it's like if I can hide them from myself when I'm naked I have a sense of security or something. Just being honest. I love to see women with lots of tattoos. I'm jealous of their free-spiritedness. For as much as I have done amazingly free-spirited things, I'm just still at heart a boring middle class white bread middle-aged lady. When I'm retired and my mom is no longer with us, anything goes though. Ride the rails, live on America's long trails, tattoo another long trail map on my other leg, get a huge Valerie Vargas girl head on my back and birds, flowers and butterflies ala Victoria Elwood all over my arms. Maybe.

Just to be clear, I do not dislike beautiful sleeves with a lot of background. That is just not the look I would want for myself. I would either want something like those legs full of traditional tattoos that were posted in another thread or something like some of the beautiful arms in Victoria Elwood's portfolio with the huge flowers, birds, bees and lots of negative space. I only don't want to tattoo the front of my body because I'm still a working person and not so talented I can flaunt authority too much and honestly, I just don't see myself as a heavily tattooed person so it's like if I can hide them from myself when I'm naked I have a sense of security or something. Just being honest. I love to see women with lots of tattoos. I'm jealous of their free-spiritedness. For as much as I have done amazingly free-spirited things, I'm just still at heart a boring middle class white bread middle-aged lady. When I'm retired and my mom is no longer with us, anything goes though. Ride the rails, live on America's long trails, tattoo another long trail map on my other leg, get a huge Valerie Vargas girl head on my back and birds, flowers and butterflies ala Victoria Elwood all over my arms. Maybe.

Never heard of a full sock.
I am so excited. I just made an appointment for Monday night to cover my 20-year old ankle bracelet tattoo. You should have seen the artist's eyes light up when I told him the style I liked and I mentioned Valerie Vargas and Virginia Elwood and people like that. He suddenly went from thinking who knows what about me to hey, wow, this lady knows something about tattoos. He totally thinks I can have a nice tattoo. My boyfriend is away and unreachable so I had nobody to share my excitement with. He'll know nothing until it's already all done.