Tattoo Phase 1

Last night, our tattoo artist, Melissa, started on my large rib tattoo. Melissa and her boyfriend Scott (one of our groomsman) gave us each a tattoo session as a wedding gift, so this has been in the works for quite a while. The design is three gerber daisies connected through some scroll line work. Gerber daisies are my favorite flower and the first flowers Dan ever gave me (for my birthday). I always think of him when I see them. One of the daisies is purple because I had purple roses in my wedding bouquet. So it's not a blatant "I <3 Dan" tattoo, but it's symbolic to us. I sat for 3 and 1/2 hours and have about 2 and 1/2 more to finish the color and shading. Melissa started with the line work.
Some parts were far more painful than others, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared overall. When she finished the line work and I hadn't yet passed out (cuz I'm tough!) she started filling in the color. She finished the yellow and purple flowers. Once I heal, I'll go back in two weeks and she'll layer in more color in the purple daisy for more depth. Hopefully, I'll only need one more session and she'll be able to finish the pink flower, leaves, and grey shading.

I'm so excited - it's going to look awesome when it's finished. I already love it!