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.

All the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything.

Oh goodness, I am awful at this blogging lark aren't I?! I have decided to try again and will be writing about things I know and love. I have decided to write about my biggest tattoo today. Tattoos are a massive part of me, my life, how I met my boyfriend and many of my friends. Weirdly though, one of my very best friends has no tattoos!
My back piece took what felt like forever. Snatched hours before, after and even during my working day over almost 3 years.
When I first started thinking about my first tattoo, I was leaning towards some tribal on my lower back. I'd had a henna piece done on a holiday that my mum and I loved and she's offered to pay for it when I was 18. At 17 and 10 months I started working in a tattoo studio and realised I didn't want tribal like every other 18 year old girl I saw coming in. So I let the tattooist I worked with choose my first tattoo and she said it would be my present. So I got a palm sized butterfly on the back of my ribs took about 2 hours and I cried most of the way through. Nowadays tattoos barely make me flinch, but my first was awful, my side also swelled so much I couldn't sleep or move. Nice!
Didn't put me off though. Inspired by a piece by Ian Flowers we decided to do a few more butterflies, but it was never enough so H drew up my full back piece and we did bits whenever we could. It was all finished by April 2009 ready for my trip away for 6 months. When I got back, I had 6 Frangipani flowers added at the top for the months I was away. It does extend down but I don't think my bare bottom needs to be on the internet - haha! My next piece will either be extending my feet tattoos or my left 3/4 sleeve BUT one day I do want to work on my sides, and it will definitely flow into my sleeves / onto my chest a little. I love expandable tattoos and hate that my only boundary will be the end of a limb.
I think that's enough waffle - here a bad self taken picture of my back.

Tattoo by Hayley Hayes

I will be blogging about my other tattoos when I take some decent photos. Do you like tattoos?

Nothing To Prove

Sunday just gone my boyfriend's band were lucky enough to support the legendary H2O. They are NYC Hardcore superstars. They are the kind of band that change you as a person, give you a better outlook and keep you smiling. Adrian says they have helped to make him the man he is today. The lead singer is the most open, honest and wise people ever. He is so in love with his family and friends, he has such a lust for life and passion about the scene.

Obligatory shot of my boyfriend's band. Mine is the vocalist.

I'm looking at getting a bridge camera to learn some basics and stuff as I love photographing at gigs and want to get some better live shots. The compact just doesn't cut it. Any suggestions would be welcomed =] I will be saving up for a DSLR but will take a while no doubt.

When H2O came on they played Nothing To Prove twice and I was stood right by the stairs. Adrian popped back stage for a word with one of the sound engineers (good old networking, turns out the guy loved his band and wants to do sound for them!) He then came back and asked if I wanted to go back stage. I made it passed the bouncer (scary) and found myself on side stage with the band and a few sweaty boys- haha!

The atmosphere was electric. H2O are such a great band to sing a long to, belting out all the words with a crowd of happy people. Was such an amazing feeling. My friend afterwards said he could see me bopping and singing away on stage and said I looked really happy. This was an absolute dream come true for Adrian. he has looked up to this band for over 14 years and it was amazing to share that with him.

The little boy on stage in this pic is the singers son - adorable!

The Underworld is easily one of my favourite venues. it's small enough to feel intimate but it's also big enough that you don't have to be down the front if you don't want to be, but you'll still have a great view. I also love that it doesn't have barriers in front of the stage. Most shows I go to, the band encourage people to get up on stage. This was no exception. Toby was loving getting people on stage to sing and dance and crowd surf. 

If you haven't already, check out H2O's music. They are amazing. Songs that will cheer you up, touch a nerve and even make you cry. I always cry when I hear Sunday Morning and when they played it live was no exception!

have you been to any good gigs lately?