Welcome to INKED -- I love the artwork that is being used in tattoos and its amazing how many people are getting tattoos now-a-days and its not just for bikers or marines anymore! This hop then is dedicated to the beautiful artwork whether you have a tattoo or not . . .

"I got my first tattoo in 2000 and its of Winnie the Pooh floating upwards with 3 balloons on my upper thigh. I want to get another tattoo and hopefully it will be this year of angel wings with a quilt square in the center with my little angel's name above the wings.

We all get tattoos for various reasons. I have noticed that women that with breast cancer that have their breast removed are now a large group of getting tattoos. When my lump was first found and of course with all the concern -- I thought and still feel that if and when my breast would be removed, I want to have a glorious tattoo of a peacock!!!!." ~ Lynn

The art of tattoo can be anything as simple as a name or as beutiful as a peacock and there is always a story behind a tattoo.

This blog hop is dedicated to the stories and the artwork behind a tattoo. If you happen to visit today at my blop, I appreciate the visit but I would love for you to appreciate all the wonderful projects that are being displayed today and would want you to stop at the first inking with Lynne at http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com. If you arrived from visiting Miriam ~ http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com , then you are on the right artful path of inking!!!!

I was a single mom for 9 years, so ALL of my tattoos have to do with my daughter Stephanie. I designed them all, and do NOT regret a single one!! I felt at the time, I needed to make up for the absence of her biological father, who left when I told him I was pregnant, and had only seen her for 2 seconds when she was a week old, never to return. SO.... when I say single, I MEAN single. Not a penny from him for child support. I worked 3 part time jobs just to pay rent and keep food on the table. So, anytime I got birthday money, or tax returns, I splurged on us both. I would get a tat, and she wanted Disneyland annual passes. Each one of my tats represent a time in my life that was hard, but worth every tear, every drop of sweat, and every broken dream I ever had.

 Each of these are like little stories I can share with people, about triumph and how God can make anything possible. That bad part in my life was because of the choices "I" was making. All I wanted was a better life for my daughter. She was my priority for a long time, but realized that my focus needed to be on God, and what his plan for me.  Once that happened and I came to Christ, our lives got better and better.  Each tattoo is a story that can be told to anyone who asks about them. I am thankful for them in a way that, I can share my hard times, and hopefully give someone a boost when they are down, letting them kow that anything is possible when you trust in the Lord.

My daughter is 16 now, almost 17, getting ready to graduate high school in Jan. She's homeschooled and is flying through her work so she can get it over with!! She really is amazing, beautiful, and my one and only. God placed a wonderful God fearing man in my life and I do have 2 sons now that I'm married,  but her, being my only girl, will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart! All that we went through together really paid off. We made it, and we made it together with the Lord's help!

Here's pictures of my INK!!

This one is my most favorite EVER!!! Some of you may have seen the T.V. show on TLC called Miami Ink.... Kat Von D was the girl who did this tattoo before she got big, and got her own show called LA Ink. She was just 19 years old when she did this tattoo on me. It's a portrait of my daughter when she was 5, with fairy wings.

This is on the outside of my right arm. SM is for my daughter's name, Stephanie Michelle. All the way around my arm is the Celtic Tree of Life. It starts in a little planter on the underside of my arm. ( my daughter is half Irish)
                                                                    

Underside                                                  Outside     

This one means "Beautiful November's Child" in Greek. ( she was born in November and we are part Greek) I added 2 Whinnie the Pooh Butterflies to it a few years later, one representing me, and the other, my daughter. ( on my lower back, now called a "Tramp Stamp".... but....whatever!! LOL)

This one is on the outside of my left arm. It's and Ancient Japanese character meaning " Ultimate Love" It's Purple, my favorite color, but the meaning was for the undying love for my baby girl.

This was my very first tattoo. It's a butterfly I designed, and within the lines, my daughters initials are hidden. Kinda hard to tell, but they're there! I love butterflies, to me, they represent freedom. They are light, beautiful, and free! :) That describes us!

NOW... On to my project!!

This is the layout I did for this project. My thought was how I felt back then when I was getting my art work done. I was a "Rock-a-Billy" chick, and so...... this layout was born.

First page. I added sewn mats, lots of mulberry flowers, ribbon, gold safety pin with a charm and a little bling.

Close up of the smaller sewn mat.

Larger sewn mat. Lacey corners are pockets for the photo, flowers and bling in the opposite corners.

Second page. More flowers, same materials as the first page.

Angled view so you can see the layers and dimensions.....

Bottom part is a pocket for 3 decorated tags....

Close up of 3 sewn tags.

I had a blast doing this blog hop, I hope you had a blast, checking out all of our projects!!

Thank you for finishing up with me. I've included the full line up below, just incase you came here first, you can start at the top and work your way back down the line.

Thanks for stopping today and visiting our tribute to inking with the glorious artwork behind tattoos!


Now, you are on your way to Laura's awesome work..... www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com

Full line up below incase you came here first, you can start at Lynne's and work your way all the down the list!

1. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
2. Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com
3. Anita~ http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com
4. Miriam ~ http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/
5. Jenny ~ http://cccjalessi.blogspot.com/
6. Laura- www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com
7. Rhonda ~ http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
8. Daisy - http://tsunamirosedesigns.blogspot.com/