Guess what I did yesterday? Yup! I got my first tattoo!

I just took the bandages off and I absolutely had to share pictures of it. Unfortunately, it's kind of late here and the lighting's not so good. So the pictures just don't do the colours justice (just an excuse for me to post more pictures when I can get some shots in natural light )

Without further ado.... *drum roll*



As you can see, it's a branch of orchids that go up my side.



It was done by Evan, an amazing artist here in Ontario. Plus he was an absolute sweetheart, which made the three hours slightly more bareable (only slightly!). We had a mini photo-shoot afterwards so that he could add it to his portfolio, and knowing that he doesn't do that with all of his clients makes you feel so honored to be wearing work that he's so proud of.

Anyway, if you'd like the shop details, just pm me. I hope you guys love it as much as I do!

<edited to add: Sorry guys! It was kind of rude of me not to comment on all of the amazing pieces that have been posted here! I guess I got a bit excited There are so many beautiful, unique and meaningful tattoos; I can't just comment on a select few!>

liebschien received her package yesterday, but hasn't been feeling too well. So I told her I'd post a couple of the pictures I took.

I sent an etched glass dog treat jar for her pup, filled with baked dog treats. Unfortunately, it's really tough to photograph etched glass with my crappy work camera (you'd think I would have remembered to take them at home with my good camera, but I realised as I was boxing it up that I hadn't)



It's got tiny dog bones etched all over, and a couple of big bones and fire hydrants etched along the top. And just because I'm a dork...



I also included some people treats -- Canadian chocolate! Hopefully it will help you feel better!  And feel free to post better pictures when you're well. Let's see if you have any luck snapping the design!

Sorry for making all of you wait... here are the goods, folks!

First, the amazing purse! It's big and roomy (without looking oversized) and it has all kinds of useful pockets. There's even one for my iPod, and it's in the most convenient of spots!



And that was only the beginning! It was full of so many great things!



There were some bubbles, stickers, stamps, photo corners, and water guns (you'll have to imagine two more, though. my brother stole them to squirt the dog)



There was also a big, hardcover book. A little suspicious, wouldn't you agree?



That's because it has a secret spot to hold my iPod and keys/lipgloss/etc.  !!



There was also a photo album and a little note explaining ATCs! She decided I should start a new hobby and I think she's right! 



But you can't start a new hobby without all of the necessary supplies, which is where this adorable make-up bag comes into play!



It was full of everything I could ever need to make ACTs! Stickers, paper, ribbon, more stickers, buttons, googley eyes, brads, and... you guess it... more stickers!



And an action shot! (I have no idea why my hair is like that)



Thank you so much for everything! You're incredably thoughtful and you're a great organizer!

Well ladies and gentleman, prepair to be amazed!

When I opened up the box, the first thing I saw was a fantastic set of paintings. They are of two yoga poses



There was also a little wooden box with a camp fire and marshmallows (my camping trip to Algonquin park was cancelled this summer)



And there were some goodies inside!



Some adorable pins and those sponge pills that disolve and turn into animals...



... like Joel the rhino!



He sent a great mixed cd, a book full of beautiful photographs (the one pictured is my favourite!),



and some wild berry tea that is made in his home town. It's sooo good!



And, as if he hadn't sent enough, there were some felt stuffies. There was a donut as well as a carrot and peas because we're both vegetarians! They have the cutest faces.



And meet my new best friend! Lebowski, the greatest little felt chicken!



Thanks so much, Joel! And thanks Knichole for pairing me up with an absolute sweetie!

So after a very long and gruelling day of work, I came home and found my package from teddybearbones on the table!! And boy did she ever spoil me! Prepair to be amazed, my friends...

Here's the group shot (without the tshirt... I put it on right away! But you had better believe there's an action shot!)



The black boards in the back are for dodging and burning in the darkroom! Just what I needed, actually. There's also (from left to right):

 - a mixed cd called "Darkroom Dance Party Vol. 1" which, oddly enough, is made up of a bunch of songs that, at one time or another, were favourites of mine but that I had completely forgotten about! I'm almost positive that teddybearbones in psychic.

 - two sets of earrings (detailed picture below)

 - stickers!! I had mentioned in my questionnaire that I love stickers, and she sent me some awesome, Japanese-esque Space Ninja stickers!

 - A notebook with a fabric cover (detailed picture below) for taking photography notes

 - Hug coupons

 - On the bottom row; some green, lacey ribbon which she had used to hold some stuff in place, but that has since found a place in my hair...

 - And also on the bottom, the cutest little wallet!! (detailed picture below)

There was also some candy... but that was eaten long before these pictures were taken...  




Here's the notebook. It was so nice to have the whole package relate back to photography. I always end up scribbling things like locations and camera settings on scrap paper... which I always lose. So this notebook is absolutely perfect!




Here are the earrings she made me! One pair has (man-eating) ladybugs and the other has canoes (... I do a lot of camping and canoing in the summer) They are soooo cute! She had said they could also be used as wine glass charms, but they'll be spending all their time in my ears.




Here's an open shot of the wallet. It's made out of a soft, corduroy fabric, with the cutest blue star lining! And some pockets... so I wont lose my credit card anymore! Inside the pocket are the hug coupons.

And now for the piece de resistance! ( I have to use that term, because she is an artist, afterall...)



I had told her about my camera collection and the oldest of the eight, my Kodak Brownie. So she made me this amazing shirt that says "Brownie = Love" !! My actual Brownie is pictured beside the shirt to show just what an amazing job she did!! It even has button and safety pin detailing!




And here I am, about to go out for coffee with a friend. It's a bit bunched up because I fastened it in the back.  That night, we walked past an indie concert and all these people were standing outside. This one girl turned to the guy she was with and said "Dude, look!" and he looked over at me and said "Ah man! I've always wanted a Brownie!"

Thank you, thank you, thank you teddybearbones!! You've spoiled me rotten with your talent and generosity!    

[A]

I've been having such a terrible time at work lately (one of the reasons why it's taken me a few days to post) so it was great to receive my package from Polkadot Pixie Monday night. I opened up the envelope, stuck my hand it and was greeted by something unbelievably soft!! I pulled it out to find that it was the most adorable, fleece acorn CD case.



The playlists are fantastic! I've listened to both of the CDs so many times this week, and they've made the trips to and from work so much more bareable - even if work itself hasn't been so great! I've only heard a few of the songs before, so I've also been exposed to some pretty great new music!

CD 1: A - M

Anthems of a 17 year-old Girl :  Broken Social Scene
The Ballad of Tom Jones :  Space (w/ Cerys Matthews)
Curing is Creepy :  The Shins
Decatur :  Sufjan Stevens
Epilogue :  Patrick Wolf
Fly :  Nick Drake
The Greatest :  Cat Power
Home By Saturday :  Hayden
If You Talk To Much (My Head Will Explode) :  People In Planes
June Gloom :  The Like
Kamera :  Wilco
Love Me Like You :  The Magic Numbers
Mushaboom :  Feist

CD 2: N - Z

New Slang :  The Shins
Oh Mandy :  The Spinto Band
Phil :  Buck 65
Queen Jane Approximately :  Bob Dylan
Rodeo Town :  The Kills
Seventeen :  Keren Ann
Thirteen :  Big Star
Us :  Regina Spektor
Vicar in a Tutu :  The Smiths
We Will Become Silhouettes :  The Postal Service
X and Y :  Moving Units
You Are A Runner and I Am My Father's Son :  Wolf Parade
ZYX :  They Might Be Giants (This one made me laugh, because ever since I was a young kid everyone's been astounded by how I could say the alphabet backwards and the speed at which I could do it!)

I'm so glad to hear you were able to pick up your package from your friend, Polkadot Pixie. I hope you like it as much as I love mine!! I can't wait to see the pictures you post. Thanks for being such a great swap partner!