Well, THAT was interesting.
I can't believe I lived this long and never got a tattoo. Perhaps it's just as well. I'm not sure I had the judgement to make a reasonable choice for myself until now. One of the perks of maturity I suppose. Pardon the bandwidth challenge, but photos follow and as usual, click to embiggen.
Inside A Million Tattoos in North Austin. They have five tattoo artists and a couple of body piercers (we won't be needing them). Their web site has examples of each artist work. They don't take reservations, so we walked in Saturday afternoon. Michael took the artwork I brought in that a friend of Kandis had worked up from my description. Michael spent about an hour and a half reworking one element of the art before he was ready for us. Us is me and Kandis. I was the only one getting inked this visit.
Michael is a student of traditional tattoo art and he knows a lot about the history of the art. He was very cool to talk to because he shared our politics and we talked about the current state of affairs for almost the entire hour and a half he took to do my tattoo. And he likes John Prine too.
How bad did it hurt?
Not that bad. Understand that I have had two children without pain medication. I can handle it. The photo on the right above appears to be me smiling, well, I am , but I am also wincing. It felt like someone was slicing my leg open with an exacto knife. But as soon as the needle was pulled away, it stopped hurting.
It still appears red around the edges because it's fresh and will look better after it has healed which is about 2-3 weeks, but here it is.
Since 4 people suggested the ankle and that is the closest guess, I held a drawing from the four and Christine won. Fair and square.
I then threw everybody else into a pot just cuz they were nice enough to comment on my birthday and Scout won. Ladies, if you'll email me with snail mail addresses, I will send your yarn prizes. And thanks for playing. And thank you to Kandis for a very cool birthday present.
But wait there's more!
I have been knitting, though not yet on my Sockapaloooza socks (I really need to get on that) but on a pattern I found at KnitNet. It's Winter Branches by Chrissy Gardiner and I am loving the knitting of it. I'm using my Peruvian Collection in Arizona Clay. Pictures come when it's finished.
"It felt like someone was slicing my leg open with an exacto knife." - I felt the same with mine!
Kudos to a brave Mom, and belated happy birthday, btw.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 27, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Wow!! I love the handknit socks and sweater worn to get the tattoo too:)
Posted by: Lauren | March 27, 2006 at 01:48 PM
Your tattoo is very nice. I like it. I shall not be getting one though. The "slicing...open with an exacto knife" makes me feel kind of lightheaded...
Posted by: Karen | March 27, 2006 at 01:58 PM
I LOVE IT. Looks so awesome.
Posted by: lisa | March 27, 2006 at 02:02 PM
That must be the best tatoo I have ever seen! Go grrl!!!
Posted by: margene | March 27, 2006 at 02:42 PM
That. Totally. ROCKS!
I'm jealous! And how fun that I won something!
Posted by: scout | March 27, 2006 at 05:07 PM
Needles. Yarn. Fire. How cool is that!
Great tattoo.
Posted by: Vera | March 27, 2006 at 05:51 PM
That is so great. I'm glad that you went with the ankle!
Posted by: Kathy | March 27, 2006 at 08:21 PM
That is true knitting dedication! I love your tattoo.
Posted by: Heide | March 27, 2006 at 09:07 PM
Hahaha! Your tattoo is sooooo awesome! And ... I won! I won! YEAH! (I already sent you an e-mail, but I will send another. Then you will have my address and you can come visit any time!)
"It felt like someone was slicing my leg open with an exacto knife." I've never wanted a tattoo - I'm too indecisive for something so permanent and I fear I would regret it - but that? That sealed the deal. No tattoo for me. I'm too much of a wimp!
Posted by: Christine | March 27, 2006 at 09:08 PM
Awesome! I compare it to someone tearing a scab off over and over.
Posted by: Wendy | March 27, 2006 at 11:06 PM
Just today I was on the treadmill and walking uphill like madwoman and fantasizing about a knitting tattoo. I just couldn't figure out where to put it. Thank you for giving me a little bit of satisfaction by looking at yours!
Posted by: Wendy | March 28, 2006 at 01:04 AM
Love the tattoo! I wish I had been more into knitting when I got mine, I'd have done something very similar.
Posted by: Carole | March 28, 2006 at 06:58 AM
You can't fool me - I know those are done with needles not of the knitting sort. Ouch! I'm clearly not in line to get inked. Cool one though...
Posted by: Beth | March 28, 2006 at 07:16 AM
Great tattoo!
Posted by: Gina | March 28, 2006 at 09:25 AM
Wow - I got a tattoo for my 40th birthday - not yarn related, however. That is just too cool!
Posted by: christine | March 28, 2006 at 09:51 AM
That's a big tattoo! Yowza/Ouch! Congrats, tho. :)
Posted by: June | March 28, 2006 at 10:32 AM
Your tattoo is so freaking great! I love flames! I have them around my ankle and green flames behind a black cat on my shoulder. I'm tempted to get a knitting tattoo and if I did something like this would be exactly what I'd want.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 28, 2006 at 11:15 AM
OMG! You did it! You are so brave! Congratulations; it's a great tatoo and the location is perfect.
Posted by: Judy | March 29, 2006 at 01:26 PM
Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire!!
Happy Belated Birthday. Hope you guys got plenty of rain yesterday. (just watched the local news)
Posted by: poormary | March 29, 2006 at 01:58 PM