Where have you been, all my life.

Good evening lovelies!

My arm is progressing at a lovely pace. I've had quite a few sittings since my last update. I think there's around 4 hours max to go! Although it's not a full sleeve or even that dense, it's still around 30 hours of tattooing!

This is going to be an amazing reminder of 2012. I've had such a good year so far. The positives are far outweighing the negatives and I have so much more great stuff planned for the last few months.

Seeing as I haven't touched this for so long, did you know I got engaged on my birthday (7/04) this year!! While there are no wedding plans as yet, I get so excited knowing I'm going to marry such an amazing man and am filing away little ideas in my brain!

Here are some tattoo photos and a bad shot of my engagement ring. Its a vintage / second hand starlight opal, surrounded by diamonds on a gold setting and band. My dream ring! I might blog my engagement story. Would that be of interest?

Tattoo - Colourwork

So January 13th I had my second session on my sleeve. We finished the line work, added a new butterfly and started some colour work. I think the worst part of the whole session (3.5 hrs again) was adding the butterfly, right by my elbow which was the first 20 mins and then stung for the whole day! The inside of my arm was a bit nipper as always but some on the line work right by the base of my neck / collar bone was bloody awful!!
I have only included one photo of the scarred area, this was taken the morning. I will take a photo when fully healed to show how the colour has taken.Another scar I haven't mentioned is my BCG, this will be on the wing of one of my birds! Hoping that hold colour as it's much more visible.
As always, please feel free to ask any tattoo related questions. If anyone is interested I will post my after care method. I have perfected it for my own body over the years I've been getting tattoo'd.

Second post - tattoo linework. SH visible.

So here is the first tattoo session I had in November. We did 3.5 hours and still didn't finish all the line work!
This session had extra meaning as it was on my Nan's birthday and my mother came to the studio to sit with me for a bit. It's still hard without my nan and I've been tattoo'd on her birthday and 2 anniversaries of her death as it takes my mind off things.
Tattooing over the scars wasn't too bad. The last 20 - 30 mins I was tired, cold and hungry. Talking to my mum really helped me to keep still and breath normally. The healing was quick, as linework for me normally is. Some of the scars raised and darkened in colour but I was extremely please how well they held the ink. I think I only had one or two blowouts (when ink spread under the skin) and I will look for photos if anyone is interested.
Please feel free to ask any tattoo related questions, I don't think this is the place for any kind of discussion about my SH or past.
Photos are under the cut - but please be warned, the scars are still visible.

This post may be triggering. Please do not read on if SH is upsetting for you.

I bet it's a surprise to see me popping up in your blog feed isn't it?!
This post is quite different to what I think a lot of you like to read but I want to document my progress and transformation. I made a big decision a long time a go and just before Christmas I managed to begin this journey. I was a troubled teen, to put it lightly and I have worn the battle scars of my mistakes for many many years. They have caused me embarrassment, I've had people stare and even comment rudely. They are a part of my past that I have conquered and no longer need to be reminded of.
November 2011 I started my 3/4 Japanese inspired full colour sleeve. I am  'heavily' tattoo'd and have always wanted to be. I always wanted to be sleeved, I just chose to start with my left arm as it has the majority of cuts and burns and I was sick of them.
In many tattoo forums, I've always seen people question how well scars (surgical, accidents and self inflicted) can be covered by tattoos. I've seen people say NEVER and other suggestions over tattooing over them with 'skin colour'. I've done my research and knew they could be disguised at least. These scars are pushing 5 years old. They aren't pigmented though they are raised. My tattooist is a good friend I've known for over 6 years and understood what I wanted and was also understanding to my needs. My design is heaviest with block colour where I need the most coverage but also not so clumped together as to look like a standard 'cover up' tattoo.

This post contains photos of the scars before any tattooing. Please don't look / read on if this is upsetting for you.

All made up, and nowhere to go.

It suddenly occurred to me, I haven't even put up any pictures of me on here. Well not of my face! I really need to get a tripod and find somewhere good to take pictures. My flat sucks for blank walls or natural light. Today I did my standard make up ready to go out to town but the weather looked so nasty I just couldn't bring myself to leave. Even thouse the handbag I saw in Accesorize yesterday has probably sold out. I will go see tomorrow and if it's there, it was meant to be and I'll buy it and blog a picture.

So this is my everyday make up. Quick enough to do for work everyday, usually without the blusher though as my old manager always commented on me looking flushed. Um yes? It's supposed to be a nice natural flush of colour?

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Prop Primer

Max Factor Xperience foundation

Natural Collection Pink Cloud blush

ELF Luminance highlighter

ELF Cream Eyeliner

ELF HD Powder 

Please excuse the frizzy hair :/ 

Here from my brain

Photo dump:

I want to frame you, put you on my wall

I bought my self a bridge camera as photography has always interested me and I really don't have a hobby, a side from spending money! My two friends Tom are both into photography too and have been on Euro trips to take photos and often go out and about in the Chilterns / skate parks to get shots. I started bugging them about taking me as soon as I got the camera and we've been a few times. They have been really ace with me, giving me hints and tips but mainly letting me get on with it and ask for help. I think I'll need to go places and find shots rather than just going out and hoping to see something good. I also cant wait to go to some of my boyfriend's gigs so I can practice photographing live music. I love live action photography, especially at amazing gigs where you can capture such a range of emotion and movement.

Here is a selection of photos I have taken and liked. I am by no means any good but it's fun getting up early on the weekend and going walking with friends and having a laugh.

Any hints, tips, locations or blogs you'd like to share will always be greatly appreciated.