Greetings and felicitations,
It seems like I'm getting back into the swing of this ol' blogging malarkey!
This blog is one that is very personal to me, as it is about my own tattoos that grace my body and therefore help to remind me of things in my life that are awesome.
1. My Butterfly
So this particular tattoo, I had it done when I was 18 years old, I had just left college (or Sixth Form if you want to be precise); and I had wanted a tattoo for a very long time, but obviously it was not something I could really do until I was 18. I decided that I would get a tattoo to remind me that I got through college and passed all of my A Levels, which was an achievement! I told my mom about my idea, and she actually thought it was great and decided to come with me to the parlour!
So, I didn't have any clue at all what I wanted, just something small and inconspicuous, that I could hide if I wanted to, but could alternatively, flaunt when I wanted to.
So, here is the little beauty (she is 10 years old may I add) and she is as pretty as ever!
What it Represents
There is the obvious idea behind a butterfly that it is now fully grown and off into the world by itself, but to be honest, I just wanted something really pretty to remember my youth by, and the fact that I had completed something which at the time was really difficult due to my circumstances. When I first had it done, the colours were vibrant and wonderful, but even now - when it is dull and looking unloved - I hold really happy memories with it. This tattoo literally took about 15 minutes to complete and it is truly a part of me now - I don't even see it anymore!
2. My First Panda
So you may be wondering... 'first'? Well I had this done my first year of having a job - I remember the day well when I 'designed' this one. I was in the office, and there was a power cut which affected the world network or something - but I could still use the internet - so I designed this using Microsoft Paint (I have pure skills, me!) I had just started talking to my now husband all of those eons ago, and I remember sending this to him to see what he thought - and he said that he liked it! So that weekend I (once again) went with my mom to get this tattoo, paid for with my own money! However this one took a lot longer than the first, which resulted in her getting hungry and leaving me to get a sausage roll from Greggs! She then returned with my sister so that was nice to have company.
What it Represents
I absolutely love pandas and this was just so cute! The lettering is Chinese for 'love' and 'mother' however if you read it in Chinese it actually says 'Emma'. which you know, is a bit unfortunate! But this obviously represents my love for pandas, and also a dedication to my mom.
3. My Second Panda
So, as it does, time passed - and although I loved my panda tattoo, I decided I wanted something more artistic and 'grown up'. I also wanted something substantial that I would be proud to show people, and can also have a little secret for myself. There are so many people that I meet and get to know that are so surprised about my secondary panda! Even more so, that it actually is a cover up for the first one! I had this tattoo at a very tough time in my life, I was suffering really badly with depression, and I wanted something that would make me really happy. I chose the picture on the day with the artist Lou Bragg who is so unbelievably talented, I would advise anyone to go to see her. I took my husband with me, and I'm not going to lie, the pain was awful, when the left ear was being done I really thought I would be sick! But I got through it - and isn't he cute?
What it Represents
This tattoo to me, represents determination. I had to sit for three hours in really awful pain, and when I had the opportunity to do a second sitting, I said no - I want to get it done in one. For me to do that shows me that I can get through anything! I am so proud that this artwork is on my body, and it is just so beautiful. I know I can't see it easily like my other tattoos, but it is reassuring to know it is there. Like my spirit animal has literally 'got my back.'
4. My Memorial
This tattoo is the most special to me out of all of them, this is a tattoo in memorium of the wonderful person that was my father. He passed away at the age of 70 on 19th February 2012. The idea for this work was a long time in the making - I knew my father was terminally ill and I had prepared for his departure into what he called 'The Eternal Dream.' I wanted something so special that it actually encapsulated a part of him - something that only he could have touched. So I looked through everything that he had written to me that I owned - cards, books, even my name on folders of my old school certificates and then I found it.
The birthday card that he wrote to me for my 21st Birthday.
The text reads:
To Leanne,
Happy birthday and congratulations.
May good luck and fortune be yours as a fully fledged adult.
The force be with you.
Lots of love from
Dad & Lynne
xx
xxx
This card is so special to me, and even reading it now my eyes are filling up with love. And also laughter. I have never laughed at a birthday card so much! My dad was outwardly very straight bat, so to end such a heartfelt message with his own brand of amazing joke at the end was genius!
So, I don't know if you know this, but you can actually transpose written text into a tattoo. I didn't know - but as soon as I found out, I knew exactly which text from this card that I wanted permanently with me.
What it Represents
This tattoo is a direct reference to my father in many ways - I mean, obviously it is HIS beautiful handwriting that I have inscribed on my wrist (go on, check it with the card) to always give me the most amusing piece of advice he has ever given to me. When asked if I wanted this tattoo facing outward or inward, I decided that the only way to have it was for me to read, as this was a message from my dad to me - so in a way it was a direct connection.
I cried so much when I had this tattoo, not because of the pain, but because of the heartache that I was feeling without my dad. It was a strange experience, but one I will definitely never EVER forget. I had this ink 2 days after he died - so emotionally I was still very raw.
I love the fact that this is something that he literally gave to me, something that I can look at at any time, at any place, and have him with me - as well as the mystical 'force' he was referring to, I also feel his life-force with me. I know it sounds cheesy but it gives me so much comfort. I recently got married, and although he couldn't be there in person, he was with me as I walked down the aisle with my Stepfather (who may I just add, is also wonderful).
It also reminds me of what a funny man he was - he had a very clever and extremely dry sense of humour (which I hope I have inherited) and could make a very serious situation funny. He was hospitalised a few times with his illness, and even then he would make a joke and play silly games. My favourite 'hospital' memory is when he pretended to be asleep, and I picked some fluff off his bed and he scared the life out of me by shouting 'RARGH!' I thought my husband was going to pass out he was laughing that much.
So, I think you can probably guess which one is my favourite, but all of my tattoos mean something to me in one way or another, and I have a couple of ideas for tattoos in the future. I hope you have had an enjoyable read, as it is nice to share something so personal. I must admit, I love hearing about other people's tattoo, so if you are reading this on Facebook or Twitter, please feel free to leave me a comment on what YOUR tattoos mean!
Today's quote is an inside joke, but if you would like to know the story, send me a message!
'Wow, how do you get your lenses so clean?'
- Terry Champion 01/09/1941 - 19/02/2012
