A Swollen Saturday

Yesterday I finally did something I had been putting off for six years... I finished (well, began to finish) my foot tattoos. I've had "Art" and "Love" on my feet since August of 2006 (yeah. Fun fact: I was dating Mike at the time and he sat there with me when I got them!). Anyway, the tattoos were atrocious. They were wonky angles, they were crappily tattooed. I went to an apprentice and I've spent 6 years wondering when I'd find the courage to fix them. 


I had every intention of covering them up completely, but the line work was so thick and heavy that the tattoos would be borderline black blobs if we did that. Instead, Laura (my amazing and talented tattooist over at Music City Tattoo) worked her magic to fix up the lettering up (tons!) and fill out the rest of my feet. She made a great point by saying the sentiment chosen (but never finished) on my feet was still an important and relevant one to me, so it could be worth it to just make them better. The thought of the pain is what had stopped me for so long. I thought for sure I was going to cry. I had mentally prepared myself for it to be the worst tattoo ever, but it was surprisingly not bad. Probably because I really psyched myself out though. The first one went off without a hitch and we had time to kill, so I said let's do the other one too. Okay, well, that was probably not my brightest idea. By the time the other foot was done and I was ready to head home, I could barely walk. In fact, I could barely waddle to the car. Driving home (all 4 or so miles) was torture due to the swelling and tightness of the skin. I immediately called work and was like "I don't know if I can come haha". Not so keen on me skipping out on a night that had potential to be big, my manager suggested I just load up on some ibuprofen and call her in a few hours. I did just that. Elevated and stuffed full of anti-inflammatory meds. Luckily the pain went away almost immediately and the swelling, too. (Partially) to my dismay I was okay enough to work, even though it wasn't the most comfortable event for the evening.


So that was that. I worked a full bartending shift last night on two brand new tattooed feet. I knew it was a possibility when I scheduled it on a Saturday so I wasn't upset or anything. It was actually kind of nice to get on my feet and out of the house. Today they're tight and ready for some lotion, but I'm already in love with them. We'll add color in a few weeks once these heal, but I'm glad I finally found the guts to go through with it. I can be a pansy sometimes! I'll post an unwrapped photo once the outline doesn't look like... well, like it does now. ;) I had to put on my big girl britches because I didn't want the ugly tattoos to show in our wedding photos. Now I need to find some simple flats/shoes to wear for the big day.

That's how I spent my Saturday! What tattoos do you have that you felt were the most painful? Or surprisingly not that bad?!

PS; Sorry for so many pictures of my feet! I know feet are super icky to a lot of people... uhm, so, yeah. There's mine ;) They're not the cutest things, but they get me from point A to point B alright!

66 comments:

  1. I'd LOVE to have feet tattooed. The biggest one I have is on my right calf... it took over 3 hrs start to finish and my leg was so swollen! I'm itching to either finish that whole leg or start on a sleeve!
    Can't wait to see what these look like when they're finished! I also think the sentiment is amazing and I'm happy your new artist made them brand new again!

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  2. They look great- even all plastic-y! I know this is a huge weight lifted off of your shoulders. So glad you got the ball rolling. :) I have tattoos that I keep putting off .. not sure when I'll get up the nerve! Hopefully soon!

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  3. This post definitely encourages me to get mine done too. Although I'm a little concerned about the best season for foot tattoos since I don't think putting on shoes will feel any good, does it?
    However, your design of choice looks totally lovely and I'm curious what they will look like when coloured. :)

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  4. i have 3 tattoos i want covered, but i'm really dragging my feet on it. mostly because of the money, but also because the ones i'm covering are SO bad, i'm worried covering them will be a total pain in the ass.

    i think the worst for me was up in my armpit. my feet were awful, too. the thing i heard was really painful was the elbow, but when i got mine done, it didn't really hurt at all. hope your feet have a speedy recovery!

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  5. Woohoo! Congratulations!

    They look pretty from what I can see of them. I bet they'll look lovely when they're all finished.

    I have no tattoos because I am a massive wimp. I have had 23 piercings though. That makes up for it, right?

    Becky
    xx

    http://www.beckybedbug.com

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  6. They look great! I hope to get my feet done soon. And oh, man. I feel your pain. I have a pretty decent-sized tattoo on my calf that was done by an apprentice while I was piercing in a shop. It's the single biggest regret of my life. It's so dumb and amateur-looking, yet it gets SO much attention. I can't wait to get that thing covered because I can't wear a skirt or pair of shorts without someone inquiring about the meaning of it. UGHHHH.

    Bre
    By The Throat

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  7. I can only imagine how painful it would be on your feet. It looks great! Curious how it'll look colored!

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  8. I can only imagine how painful it would be on your feet. It looks great! Curious how it'll look colored!

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  9. I can only imagine how painful it would be on your feet. It looks great! Curious how it'll look colored!

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  10. kaelah, i LOVE this! i'm getting my feet done next month and while i'm so excited, i'm also terrified about the pain. i want to get both done at the same time, but i'll probably do one at a time over the course of a couple weeks. i can't wait to see photos when they are all healed up!
    the worst for me actually was on the inside of the wrist. i have an anchor and the shading on that part of my arm hurt way worse than my rib cage or hip bones (where i have my other tattoos). it's just different for everyone, i suppose!

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  11. I wish I was brave enough to finish my feet. I got a frog tattoo I doodled with my mom a few years ago (and I love it) - but that was 45 minutes of pain I don't want anymore. I'll get tattoos anywhere on my body except my feet.

    At least not anytime soon.

    I like your new line work. I can't wait to see colour!

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  12. You are officially wonder woman to me! I just did my left food and it swelled like a balloon. I couldn't walk right for days...and the fact that you went to work after doing both of them!!! Crazy! They look pretty so far and I can't wait to see the finished look :)
    -K

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  13. Oh, I love it! Can't wait to see the tattoos :)
    I have a few, too. And I have to say the most painful part was probably the part of my lower back.. The Star I have on my chest didn't even hurt at all..

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  14. This is so bizar. I had my feet tattooed about 6 years ago? And gradually fell out of love as I started to get more talented artists working on me. I finally for the courage to enquir about getting them covered up (I was always worried there wouldn't be much that could be done), I had one don't a couple of weeks ago and I was TERRIFIED. I could remember them hurting so badly i was convinced i wouldn't be able to sit very long. But it was fine! I'm sure it must have been because I was prepared for a world of pain!!

    I'm off for the right one doing in a week or two and can't wait to finally have something I'm proud of on my feet.

    Looking forward to seeing your finished feet!!


    chloex

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  15. I normally really dislike feet, but! Your tattoos are GORGEOUS and definitely make them pleasing to look at! :) xx

    Rose Eva
    Silhouetted

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  16. Haha I've never gotten the whole "hate looking at feet thing" I think you have lovely feet! And your tats look awesome!

    xoxo Sarah
    theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

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  17. the biggest pain I had with tattoos was on my lower ribs, I cried like a baby, so painful.
    can't wait to see your feet finished!

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  18. How exciting! I cannot wait to get a better look at how they came out! I'm so happy you were able to find a way to make the original tattoos still work and make you feel better about them.

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  19. Can't wait to see them finished. Credit to you for being on your feet for work. I know I would have sat on the sofa for as long as possible!

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  20. your poor little feeters all bandaged up like that! but so so worth it! it looks like it is gonna be really cute!! i need more money in my life so i can get MORE TATTOOS!!!!!!! designing so many for other ladies, i am getting jealous!
    xo,
    cb

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  21. I love tattooed feet; especially pictures of them all dressed up in pretty shoes! I'm sure these will look fabulous on your wedding day. What a perfect opportunity to have disappointing pieces spruced up. Your artist really has done one heck of a job, I look forward to seeing these all finished and healed. Heeled? Hahaha
    --Erin

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  22. Your tattooist did such a great job! I love these and I can't even imagine the pain you felt after you got them done. Ufff! You are so brave, I want a foot tattoo but I'm just too scared :)x

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  23. They look amazing! Can't wait to see them when they're finished! And bravo for getting through the pain AND working a full shift afterwards.
    xo!B

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  24. ahhh Can't wait to see them finished! and I'm SO happy they weren't "that bad". I'm planning to start my feet soon, but had my finger tattooed and that was HELL!

    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

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  25. They look awesome! I don't have any tattoos yet sadly but I have so many ideas and every time I see a picture of you it makes me want them more! :)I can't wait to see them when they're healed & colored!
    Katlyn

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  26. I'm really impressed that you worked! I have one foot and it was awful and was so swollen for a week and I had to leave early a few times. Maybe the secret is not to get the outline and full color on your whole foot all at once.... Haha I'm too chicken to get the other one done.

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  27. I really the teacup design. I'm excited to see the finished result.

    I only have two tattoos but my second one is my biggest one. It takes up the majority of my upper back. The worst part was when the needle touched my spine area. Since it was such a large tattoo, I was shaking due to shock but all in all, I don't regret it. The artist thought it would take two sessions but it was finished in 2 and a half hours.

    I went with my cousin when she had her foot tattooed and she looked like she wanted to cry. I'm still on the fence about a foot tattoo.

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  28. I've wanted a foot tattoo for ages but haven't found my big girl britches lol! Do I see a teacup in one of your tattoos it looks amazing, can't wait to see them when you add colour!

    dpx


    www.inanityandthegirl.com

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  29. I want tattoos but I'm so afraid of the pain. In fact, I'd be absolutely covered in them if I had the balls! I love the look of tattoos on other people.

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  30. I would love to get my feet tattooed someday but like everyone else Im scared! Especially since Ive never had a tattoo anywhere before so I have no point of reference for how bad it might be. Definitely will probably do just one at a time and make sure I have a day or two afterwards where I don't really have to be up and around. So impressed that you went through it like a champ! : ) What kind of shoes did you wear in the day or two after? I can't imagine wearing anything but bunny slippers haha

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  31. wow you are so brave! i have never had tattoos so i have no idea how painful it is, although people has been trying to describe the pain to me several of times. lovely design, glad you manage to cover up your old tats xo

    The Young Bridget Jones

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  32. I'm thinking about getting a tattoo for the first time and the only place I really want it is on the side of my foot. I'm super nervous about the pain, but at least any future tattoos would seem really easy, right? haha

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  33. i feel the same way about my feet haha, they get it done! looks amazing, can't wait to see them finished with all the detail!! can't believe you worked on your feet all night after this ish. i would probably have a 1/2 sleeve by now if i wasn't such a baby about the pain..still psyching myself up for the first one! haha

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  34. I cannot wait to see them finished!! They look amazing so far.

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  35. How awesome!! These look great, even wrapped up. Can't wait to see them unveiled!! I can't believe you drove yourself home though, yikes!!

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  36. Ahhhh! You are so brave! Thanks for this because I'll have to add to mine in the future <3

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  37. looks like she did a fantastic job - can't wait to see them finished !!


    xo
    http://kittysnooks.blogspot.ca

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  38. i have a small tattoo right on the top of my foot, and that was THE MOST PAINFUL EVER. I'm dying to get mine redone (since I totally regret how it looks too!) but totally don't want to deal with the pain again. I can't wait to see how yours look, though! Might motivate me to fix mine up :)

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  39. I had both my feet done 2 weeks ago, I had read all the awful things about feet swelling, and the inability to walk, so I psyched myself out. My left foot was nothing! I just yoga breathed through the whole thing, but my right foot hurt like nothing else! I was lucky and had no swelling at all and was able to work a long shift straight after too! :) By teh far the most painful was the top of my butt which is where my back tattoo starts. it's the only time i've ever cried, I freaked my poor tattooist out with my sobbing but it was totally worth it!

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  40. I have the top of one foot done. The first time was painful but ok. But then as it was healing my sister started picking at it when I was sleeping so I had to get it touched up. The second time was a million times more painful! Also last month I got a new tattoo on my side, right on the ribs... that one, my friend, hurt like a you know what!! I always feel that the outline is way more painful than the colour though...

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  41. I love this idea and I am so psyched to see what they look like when the heal. I love tattoos my first is on the back of my left shoulder and it was way easier then I imagined. My next project is my thigh. I always thought that feet would be incredibly painful considering how close it is to the bone.

    HonestConfessions.blogspot.ca

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    1. I've got the whole of my left thigh done, and apart from some bruising (I had a 4 hour session, my poor body)it was relatively pain free. Everyone's different though, but you'll probably be fine! :)

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  42. I can't wait to see the finished product! So fr, they loook amazing! kudos to you for being able to work after as well, I'm a bigt baby so I don't know if I'd be able to haha!

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  43. I have a tattoo that's partially on my ribs and that killed. My arm wasn't bad and I'm getting thigh pieces done in September so I'm keeping my fingers crossed they'll be bearable!

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  44. I was pinning a shark infograph this morning for my workplace's Pinterest page (North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher) and I noticed at the bottom it was created by YOU! I was like, "Oh my gosh! I follow her blog!" So random, but awesome. :)

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  45. They look amazing! I only have a few tiny tattoos, but if I ever get the balls to get a parger piece, I will check out Music City Tattoo for sure :)

    Adrienne
    What Lola Wants

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  46. I look forward to seeing them when they're all healed! I reckon my feet were definitely my worst tattoos pain-wise (or more so it just felt icky coz I could feel it kinda vibrate all through the little foot bones) and healing time wise, it doesn't take much for me to swell up, so every time I walked around while they were healing they re-swelled.

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  47. good job girl! I finished my foot tattoos on Saturday too!! This session was no where near as bad as the first and it feels so good to have them done. I will now forever look at anyone with a foot tattoo and consider them a bad ass, so from one bad ass to another, YOU ROCK!

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  48. Looks awesome! I really wish i had the extra cash for another tattoo. Not on my feet though xD I dunno if I could handle that.

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  49. Ha, I'd love to get my feet tattooed (I hate feet but foot tattoos are so appealing to me for some reason), but I can't handle the idea of not being able to walk for a few days after :( Not to mention I drive a stick, and I've been warned that it's a terrible/painful idea to drive a stick with healing tattoos. Ahhh! I dunno if I'll ever suck it up and get them haha.

    At any rate, yours are super pretty! Even with your poor feet all swollen & sad looking hehe :) I can't wait to see them when they're all colored in - I can only imagine how gorgeous they'll be!

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  50. I absolutely adore how big you've gone. I am still deciding on my feet designs. I take forever to decide my tattoos.

    My thighs were the easiest. 6 hrs straight on each one and although VERY swollen, it was fine. I found walking around actually kept the swelling down for me.

    I am still to finish another of my pieces all the way up my side. I have roses and a pirate ship and I haven't had the ship filled out for two years. My ribs have been by far the hardest place for me. I had two hours and had to stop.

    My next tattoos are going to be Studio Ghibli images on my calves. Howls castle wil take up one calve :) I can't wait! Just waiting for money for it all now!

    Xxx

    www.fleurst-rate.blogspot.com

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  51. I have some words tattooed on my feet and I have to say it was so painful I'm too afraid to get anything else on my feet! Serious kudos to you, those are big pretty tattoos!

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  52. Congrats on getting all of the line work done. I can't believe you worked a whole shift walking around on those freshly tattooed feet! OUCH!! I have two full sleeves, but I seriously think that my tiny foot tattoo hurt the worst! :/ I can't wait to see how it'll look with color added to yours! I have a Gypsy on my neck that I still need to get finished, but I'm waiting until after pool season ;)

    xx Adrian

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  53. Kudos to getting your feet tattooed then working! I'm a big baby after I get work done and I would die if I had to work after.

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  54. yikes, the thought of tattoos anywhere gives me the shivers but esp on my feet, seems so painful but glad it wasn't. your tattoo artist did an amazing job w/ those pretty flowers blending over the words!
    http://dusanabotswana.com/

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  55. yikes, the thought of tattoos anywhere gives me the shivers but esp on my feet, seems so painful but glad it wasn't. your tattoo artist did an amazing job w/ those pretty flowers blending over the words!
    http://dusanabotswana.com/

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  56. I have one on my foot and it didn't hurt at all - but only took 15 minutes so I'm no where near as tough as you!

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  57. they look great! i've been thinking about re-doing my foot tattoo, just haven't figured out what i want yet..
    and you are one tough lady, working on those feet all night!
    xo, cheyenne

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  58. I have foot tattoos also, and they were a painful close second to my chest tattoo. It wasn't so much the boob area as the boney bridge between them that was utterly painful. In the end, though, it saved me a lot of money... After the 9 hour long session I haf enough tattoo chair time and pain to last me a LONG while before getting another one. ;)

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  59. They look awesome...yay for you:)

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  60. Ugh I can't believe you had to work on tattooed feet, you poor thing! I saw you outfit post where they are looking very pretty indeed!!
    My spine was pretty tough going, I cried when i got the first part done, but that was years ago and I've hardened up since then. A few months ago the lads in the new tattoo studio that i go to were slagging me for wincing, which is a little too hardcore for me! I want to get both of my upper arms done now that my back is mostly coloured in!

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  61. I had to go to work after getting one done on my thigh which was awful because my clothing kept rubbing it!

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  62. I really thought my first one would be super painful, it was shockingly painless...but my thigh tattoo? I was a veteran right? It would not hurt for sure! Totally wrong...it hurt from the first tat tat tat to the last, and it hurt for 3 days. I was shocked, I am pretty touch, but that one took me a minute to digest! :)

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB