Tattoo update!

A lil' over a year ago, I surprised the hive (and my 'rents) with my...um...massive (?) piece of art. I've had quite a few of bees ask me how it's been going, if it's done yet, etc., so here's an update. My tattoo is definitely not done yet, but I have had much done since last time you saw it.

Just a quick recap...
My first session: Say goodbye to the ol' stamp tramp.

Last time you saw my tattoo, it looked like this.

See that space on my left shoulder? I had planned to get our wedding venue there. I thought it would be a nice way to commemorate our marriage without permanently putting names and dates on me.

Our wedding venue (photo by Frank Amodo)

Here's a close up of how our wedding venue, the temple, looks so far. Still have a lot of shading to do. Can you see the resemblance?

And now for the current photo:

Art work done by Cooper from Visual Addiction

As you can see, I still have a bit of way to go. Lots of coloring and shading still needs to be done, but all of the outline is done (phew!).

I support my local seamstress.

Two weeks ago I had my first (and only) dress fitting. sillyinphilly had recommended me her seamstress in Lititz and seriously girls, this woman is a godsend (and only gets work by word of mouth)! I literally was in and out of her hair in 15 minutes. The zipper on my dress kept sticking, to the point where I could not get out of my dress. Not at all. Karen, the seamstress, literally had to cut me out of my dress.

Unfortunately I don't have any before photos of me and my dress. Imagine this model is me. :o)

My dress on an itty bitty model, Jenny Yoo

Within' minutes of having my dress on, Karen was sticking my dress with needles. Literally 5 minutes later, she was done. I came back 2 weeks later, tried on my dress and that was it. I was done with alterations. I thought for sure I would have to come back again. Nope. She did it all in one shot. Besides putting in a new zipper, I had my dress hemmed, taken in an inch and I had the top made into a sweetheart top all for (roll drum roll, please) $53.

See my new sweetheart neckline? Don't mind the junk in the background...that's all wedding poop!

And since you girls asked, here's how much of my dress exposes my tattoo. My hair will be semi-down on wedding day.

For you Central PA girls:

Karen Chow

(717) 519-2458

Did you find a local seamstress or have your alterations done at a bridal store?

Surprise! I'm a Tattooed Bride

Disclaimer to those who don't "approve" of tattoos: I am not asking for your approval; it is already permanently bonded to my skin, so your negative comments won't make a difference. To each their own. And didn't your mother ever tell you that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all?! :)

source photography by Allebach Photography

Last week Miss Martini talked about tattoo cover ups. This is the opposite of a cover up. Mr. Sushi and I are actually found of tattoos. He and I both have a couple tattoos...till this past October when I finally decided to take the plunge and get a massive piece of art done.

I've been pondering the idea of getting a back piece for about 5 years now. When coincidentally one day in October, while waiting for my dad to stop by, I was looking up tattoo artists on the internet, specifically ones who do Japanese art from my local area. I had gotten a free magazine rack off of craigslist and my dad had brought over his trusty truck to help me pick it up. We get to Carlisle, where the magazine rack was waiting for me...only to see a tattoo shop with Japanese art all over the window. Coincidence? I think not. When I got home I emailed the guy who gave me the magazine rack and inquired about the tattoo shop. Apparently he lives above the shop and his landlord is the tattoo shop owner. AND there was an artist who works there that specializes in Japanese artwork. A week later I made an appointment and since then have had about 5 sessions.

Session 1: You can see my old stamp tramp here, soon it will be gone!

Session 2: added lots of flowers, started the cover up of my old tat

Session 3: added a cherry blossom tree behind the geisha girl and a few waterfalls

Session 4 & 5, starting to get some color
Art work done by Cooper from Visual Addiction

I still have a long way to go. You see that area on my left shoulder that's pretty un-inked right now? Well, eventually the temple that Mr. Sushi and I are getting married at will be placed there upon mountains. I thought it would be a nice way to memorate our wedding without putting names and dates on me permanently.

source The temple we're getting married at will eventually make it's way into my tattoo.

I should note that other than my brother, no family knows of my work in progress. A few family members will find out when they read this (love you, dad!) and the rest will probably find out when we're all strutin' around in our swim suits in Hawaii. Should be interesting!

On a different, but related note, after months and months of healing, I found that Gold Bond Ultimate Healing lotion has worked best for me during that yucky, peeling, itchy stage.

source

For all the girls who are inked, and proud of it, share your ink!