I got my first (and probably only) tattoo this afternoon. If you’ve been following my personal blog you would know that I’m doing a Bucket List Project for the next year where I’m going to be doing one thing on my bucket list every month until I turn 40!  I ticked off the first item today

I’ve wanted a tattoo for ages, but haven’t known where to put it or what on earth the design should be.  Then after decided that this was an item on my bucket list, I had a reason to find a design.  I turned to Pinterest for my inspiration.  I started an Ink pinboard and started looking for designs.  And then 2 weeks ago I found one that just spoke to me, it was a design with an infinity sign and the word love.

Then I went looking for a tattoo place.  I turned to my network on Twitter and Facebook for that, and eventually it was a toss up between 2 places.  I googled both, and really wasn’t happy with the photos on the Facebook page of the one recommended place, they looked too rough, and their website wasn’t working.  Then I found a blog post on Mojodojo about SA Hardcore Tattoos (the other place highly recommended), and some photos of tattoos on Facebook that were posted by a friend of a colleague… and decided that was the place to go to.  It was on my way home from work, and they did awesome fine and delicate work.

So anyhoo, I went this afternoon (after seeing them last week and showing them my idea).  I told Luke last week that I wanted an infinity sign similar to the photo on Pinterest with my kids initials and maybe the love too.  When I got there today, Luke, the designer, said that the word love was long with the initials and he felt a little tacky.  So he came up with this… and I loved it!! When Daron, the tattoo artist looked at it, he said that it needed a little red heart in the middle too… PERFECT!! I am so happy with the design. It’s fine and delicate and so me!

Oh and the funny thing… this world is so small!! Guess who was having a tattoo while I was waiting… Gord from the Mojodojo blog!

So anyhoo, Daron thought I was a little odd taking photos with my iPhone during the process .  Hell, I thought I was a little odd not using my DSLR, which I did have in my bag but decided to go light instead And I love editing using iPhone apps anyway!  So, here in photos, is the story of my tattoo, as taken by iPhone…

And viola…

And if you’re wondering whether there was pain… it wasn’t really sore, more like irritating.  The fact that my elbow was uncomfortable on the armrest was more disturbing than the actual tattoo!! The only thing that I found odd was the tic in my finger that started happening when he did the C. Weird.

iPhone apps used for processing:  Camera+ and Instagram