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Needle Art
Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes for me and Cat. We had a great time on Wednesday - there was lots of fun people, Thai food, and of course, karaoke. Jacob totally surprised me on Wednesday morning before he left for work with this fine present:
Dance, dance, dance.
It's the Beat Pad for the Nintendo Gamecube, and it totally rocks. He also got me the game that goes with it, MCGroovz Dance Craze. We played a little yesterday before we went out and it is SO FUN. And the music is actually good on this game! I'm talking Earth Wind and Fire and the Commodores, baby. Yay!
My twin sis hooked me up with a totally awesome running outfit that is actually made of a breathable fabric (instead of my old cotton tanks and gross shorts that I wear - hooray!) She got me some running socks too. See:
I'm gonna look like a real runner!
She also got me a bumper sticker that I've really been wanting...I'm not going to post that because I try not to get political on the knitting blog.... ;)
Cathy loved her knitty gifts - she actually wore her shrug out at karaoke for a while until it got too hot in the bar. Here she is, super cute in her shrug:
My sister. She's classy, that one.
(For those who are interested, the Trinity Stitch shawl pattern can be found here. I'm so glad everyone liked it, and that Cathy liked it - I blocked it A LOT, so it became a very delicate, open shawl. The shrug pattern (One Skein Wonder) is for sale at Glampyre.com. Stef's patterns are always totally well written, so you should check out some of her others too!)
I also got some yummy, yummy yarn from HEJ and a knitting bag from AM that will seriously hold like 15,000 projects and still be compact. I am a lucky, lucky schmoo this birthday.
There is one more thing that Jacob got me...something I've been wanting for a while, and thinking about for a while...
***SIT DOWN MOM***
I got a tattoo!
My friend Mary Jessica (who also drew the cartoon Carrieoke on my blog) designed a beautiful tattoo for me and a great tattoo artist in town rendered it and did the work. Wanna see? Guess what - it's a knitattoo!
Click for the closeup.
I wanted to incorporate a ball of yarn, and I told MJ that knitting is totally what destresses me, keeps me calm, and gives me peace. So she worked with those ideas and came up with the two sparrows holding the piece of yarn. I'm definitely not an expert on tattoo history, but I do know that sparrows were really common in traditional sailor tattoos so we went with that kind of look for the tattoo.
I am SO HAPPY with the way it turned out. I had lots of random folks coming up to me at karaoke and commenting on how neat it was. YAYAYAYAY. I was really, really, REALLY nervous about the pain, but it really wasn't that bad. It did hurt, but it wasn't unbearable. Thanks to HEJ, Jacob and
WHEE! What a birthday! I have lots of great pics from karaoke night and dinner but I am too freakin' exhausted to get an album together right now. I'll probably post some more later this week. I have a few other projects to show you too, and I'll show you more of my knitty pressies from the girls.
I'll leave you with a totally ridiculous picture of me and my sis Cathy singing "I've Had the Time of My Life" at karaoke. Giggle.
Me and my favorite twin.
I love you Cat! Thanks for coming up!
Posted by carrie at July 14, 2005 10:21 PM
Comments
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!!!! Your tatoo looks awesome! I wish I could have been there. Love, camille
Posted by: camille at July 21, 2005 12:31 PM
Congratulations on a wonderful birthday, great presents and a fantastic tattoo! :)
Posted by: Elspeth at July 19, 2005 08:26 AM
Your tattoo is really great, I love it!
Posted by: Jaime at July 18, 2005 11:29 PM
What a great tattoo! I have two myself, but that takes the cake! Great art work! Go you...and happy birthday, too!
Posted by: Bad Hippie at July 18, 2005 01:22 PM
Great tattoo! Happy birthday, and you are lucky to have a boyfriend so supportive of your knitting!
Posted by: Jenny at July 18, 2005 09:01 AM
Happy (belated) Birthday! Your tattoo is SO cool.
Posted by: Allison at July 18, 2005 08:57 AM
Happy birthday chick-a-dee!
Posted by: Leisl at July 18, 2005 08:43 AM
OH - happy belated birthday (I've been too busy to read blogs all week!)!!!
And the tattoo really looks great! It has that great retro look to it!
Posted by: eklectika at July 17, 2005 11:38 PM
I LOVE your new tatoo! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
I have a sis and love the far and few between times we get to see each other. I'm sure you had a blast with her. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Rachel at July 17, 2005 03:23 PM
Happy, happy belated Birthday!!!!!
Glad you had such a fab time on your B-day!!! Next year when you come in for the MD Sheep & Wool, I am hanging out with you guys. You always look like you have sooo much fun!
I LOVE your tattoo. Awesome!
Posted by: Eilene at July 17, 2005 02:33 PM
WOW! I go away for a week and I come back to THIS? Awesome tatoo - I'm not a tatoo person, but it looks really good - very tough, yet with a serene message. I'm very impressed!
Sounds like a FANTASTIC birthday. So glad you got to share it with your sister. Hope the next year is even better!
Posted by: Cara at July 17, 2005 11:56 AM
What a most awesome tattoo - and so very Carrie... oke. Seriously, I lurve it!
Happy belated birthday to both you and Cathy!
Posted by: Sarah W. at July 16, 2005 06:14 PM
Hi, I LOVE the tattoo. It's very awesomely unique. (and maybe awesomely is a word?) I frequent your blog, its definately one of my favorites!
Oh and I'm so jealous of all the knitty gifts for your sis ;)
Posted by: Heather at July 16, 2005 04:13 PM
There are eighteen zillion more bad tattoos than good ones in the world, but you, girl, are wearing one of the best I've seen. Brava! Mary Jessica did a really beautiful job, and you wear it well.
Posted by: alison at July 16, 2005 12:38 PM
ummmm... that's the coolest freakin tattoo I've ever seen. You are so cool. You are two beautiful twins! Happy belated birthday
Posted by: carrie at July 16, 2005 12:22 PM
hey - i had a few minutes before my 7 hr drive (ah!) to san diego so i couldn't help but check out the b-day pics! great gifts, lots of karaoke with lots of fam + friend... sounds like a perfect celebration to me.
and dude. that. knitattoo. RULES. you guys did a great job on that! it will be inspiration to knitters everywhere. (^_~)
again, happy bday to you and cat! *hug*
Posted by: joy at July 16, 2005 10:45 AM
I can't think of a better way to celebrate your and Cathy's birthday! Yay!
Posted by: Rossana at July 16, 2005 02:10 AM
Oh the tatt is AWESOME! Makes me want to go out and get another one! I've never thought of getting a knitting tattoo. Fabulous birthday gifts and Cathy looks very swish in the shrug. I need to make one of those it is super cute!
Posted by: shell at July 16, 2005 12:19 AM
Yay that was fun. Even though that karaoke place was SKETCHY. I LOVE your tattoo, too. (Tee-hee).
I'm glad that you knew that when I pointed at the floor while we were singing that it meant, "I'm taking the low harmony. You're taking the high one."
Wonder twin powers, activate! Form of... karaoke divas!
Posted by: Cathy at July 16, 2005 12:06 AM
I LOVE the tattoo. If I didn't already have one (I refuse to be the tattoo statistic where you can't stop at just one) I'd get a knit tat now.
Posted by: Jennifa at July 16, 2005 12:02 AM
Okay - I was just googling a bit and found that there are many different opinions on the meaning of the swallow. Whatever the origin and symbolism, the swallow/sparrow is a traditional design that has a place in the history of tattooing as an art form and it looks good on you :)
Posted by: Casey at July 15, 2005 10:58 PM
Nice tattoo! I really like traditional WWII art. I've read that sailors would get swallows because the birds migrate very long distances and they symbolize voyages past or good luck for the future.
Anyway, they look good holding up a bit of yarn. Nice artwork. ...and nice sultry pose :)
Posted by: Casey at July 15, 2005 10:40 PM
YAAY! Look at that tattoo! That is sooo awesome! :) Casey is pleased with the sailor tatto reference. It also frames the ball of yarn nicely... way cool.
So glad your birthday went well!!
Posted by: frecklegirl at July 15, 2005 10:32 PM
i never wanted a tattoo because i thought, 'what on earth will i like forever?' you found it! you are such a total knitting rock star.
Posted by: carrie m at July 15, 2005 09:00 PM
Happy birthday! Looks like you guys had a blast! Thorlos are the best running socks. Very cushy and comfy!
Posted by: Mariko at July 15, 2005 07:43 PM
that, chicki-licious, is one BADASS tattoo! (And I am familiar w/ such things *tee hee.*)
Fantabulous birthday wishes upon you and your cool sis... looks like much fun was had by all. (LMAO at AM's "boozerella" comment)
Congrats on all the cool schwag, and does the running gear mean that you will do a marathon next?
Posted by: chelsea at July 15, 2005 05:28 PM
wow.
just.
wow.
You're gonna get a lot of comments to this one!!
It is sweeeet looking! I have a tatoo as well, on the bottom small of my back!
Posted by: pixie at July 15, 2005 05:17 PM
Happy Birthday! Loving me the sistah pic.
Strangely just like *my* sister does.
;-)
Posted by: claudia at July 15, 2005 03:44 PM
WOW! I told myself if I kept being this yarn obsessed for 5 years I would get a second tat to celebrate, but I didn't want it to be corny... yours looks so great! Once three years to go!!! yippee!
Posted by: kaitlyn at July 15, 2005 03:38 PM
I have been reading your blog for a while. I finally have a voice. LOL! I wanted to wish you a happy belated birthday and I love your new tattoo. Toodles.
Posted by: Isis at July 15, 2005 03:23 PM
You are such a bad ass! I had the best time Wednesday night. I am so glad we're friends. When I heard those girls in the bathroom talking about your tattoo...I was SO proud to be your friend! I was like, "That's my friend! She's such a bad ass".
PS Boozeralla, I noticed you didn't mention laying down in the parking lot at Dunkin Donuts....and also in the parking lot of Auto Zone...
Posted by: Anne Marie at July 15, 2005 02:13 PM
Hi, just found your blog - Happy Birthday! I got a new tat for my birthday last year - I love it. Better watch out - ink is contagious. I have 3 - want another one.
Great job on the osw. I just got the pattern and am going to make one for my ballet dancing niece.
Posted by: Sandy at July 15, 2005 02:03 PM
Oh, your tat is awesome. Very cool design. And Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Emily at July 15, 2005 01:53 PM
Carrie! Happy Birthday!!!!
(to you AND Cathy!)
I am in love with your new tattoo, and your OSW came out just gorgeously.
Posted by: Stefanie at July 15, 2005 01:43 PM
What an awesome tattoo! I really love it . . . I keep thinking that I want one but I can't decide what to get. That's a great choice and it looks tough.
Happy Birthday to you and the sissy!
Posted by: Becca at July 15, 2005 12:58 PM
Sarah emailed me this morning and told me to check out your blog (since I have been so behind these days, I'm glad for the heads up) and I LOVE the tattoo!! And so does she, obviously, since she felt the need to email me :)
I would like to get a tattoo, but I haven't seen anything yet that I would like to have...
Posted by: Stacey at July 15, 2005 12:44 PM
awesome tatoo! you're so brave! i'm way to chicken to go through with it, but i'd love to have a knitatoo.
Posted by: kim at July 15, 2005 12:09 PM
Fab gifts--Love the TAT! That is so freaking awesome!
Looks like you had a great birthday, which is as it should be--here's to many more!
Posted by: Anita at July 15, 2005 12:00 PM
hahahahahahaha! I still so love that tattoo! Thanks for letting me a part of it. Glad you got the pics.
Posted by: Jenny at July 15, 2005 11:59 AM
dance dance dance! i got schooled while playing ddr max with 2 9-year-olds. i looked like an old lady.
the tattoo is off the hiz-ook.
Posted by: rebecca at July 15, 2005 11:55 AM
happy birthday to you and your sis!
love the karaoke shot and the tatoo -- fabulous times!
Posted by: megan at July 15, 2005 11:29 AM
LOVE the tattoo. it's fabulous. looks like you had a great time!
Posted by: gleek at July 15, 2005 11:17 AM
I LOOOOVe your Tattoo !!
Happy birthday (late sorry) for you and you sis.
you're both so cute on the "silly picture" in the bar ;o).
love your knitting !!
Posted by: karen in Toronto at July 15, 2005 10:39 AM
the tattoo looks really nice - you guys did an especially good job of getting across the idea of knitting while making it look like a real tattoo in a classic style.
and cathy does look super cute in her shrug.
Posted by: karen at July 15, 2005 10:15 AM
LOVE your tattoo!! That design is so fabulous! You should definitely go get a LOT of halter tops and show that baby off!
Happy, Happy Birthday to both you and your sis!!
Posted by: Kathy at July 15, 2005 10:15 AM
Great tat! Got a tip for you - Aveeno Skin Relief lotion will be a god-send when the healing and inevitable itch starts. Soothes the itch while keeping the skin calm and the colour true... worked like a charm for mine:) I'm pretty sure they carry it in your end of town...
Posted by: Brenda in Toronto at July 15, 2005 10:10 AM
Glad to hear you had an awesome day! You're lucky--I wish I had someone to share my birthday with.
The tat is gorgeous! Very nice job.
What's that top you're wearing? Is it Cleo?
Posted by: jodi at July 15, 2005 10:04 AM
It only took a moment thinking about "I've had the time of my life" to start having flash backs to Dirty Dancing.
"Baby. Is that your name?"
Posted by: Jody at July 15, 2005 10:02 AM
OMG, your tattoo is *fabulous*! I really love it! And Cathy looks great in the one-skein wonder.
And I have a serious longing to have one of those Beat Pad/Dance games, which is ridiculous because I am a)old and b)out of shape, with bad knees, etc. But damn, they look like so much FUN! Dance one for me, will ya?
Posted by: Janice in GA at July 15, 2005 09:44 AM
Happy Birthday! Your tattoo is amazing.. and beautiful too. I had most of my tattoo & piercings done in Athens as well.. and don't trust anyone else now. Congratulations on your beautiful new ink!
Posted by: Mouse at July 15, 2005 09:26 AM
OMG! I lurve the tattoo! Yay for you! What a fun birthday!
Posted by: biglug at July 15, 2005 09:22 AM
Tattoos, knitting, and the Gamecube approach to DDR? Will you be my new best friend?!
I found your blog through Frecklegirl, and it's great! Happy birthday, too! :)
Posted by: wenders at July 15, 2005 09:13 AM
I can't tell you what an honor it is for me to be a part of your birthday (and, um, skin) like that! The tattoo artist really made the design beautiful, I think -he knew just what to do to clean it up and make it perfect! Also, Robert just recently told me that swallows are a traditional symbol for strength - so knitting not only makes you peaceful, it makes you gloriously strong! yay! xoxo MJ
Posted by: MJ at July 15, 2005 09:00 AM
Awesome tat! And happy birthday!
Posted by: Megann at July 15, 2005 08:50 AM
Wow - that tattoo is amazing! You are very brave. ;-)
Posted by: Maya at July 15, 2005 08:47 AM
Happy Birthday girls!!!!
The Tat is awesome, I have been thinking about one too, actually, when my kids turn 18 that is there gift and they both have chosen for their first tat to honor their father. So Kasey turns 18 Sunday and we are off to the tat parlor and I was thinking of getting one too!!! I already have one on my lower back, but hey I thought a nice ball of yarn with some sticks would look awesome on my ankle. WHOOP WHOOP!!!!!
Have a great post B-day weekend!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Betsy at July 15, 2005 08:47 AM
Totally loving the tat! I want another one SO bad but I can't come up with a design. Glad you and Cathy had a great b-day
Posted by: Kate at July 15, 2005 08:42 AM
Y'all are just too adorable. Love the tattoo--it's perfect! That Mary Jessica is just too talented for words... Can't wait to see it (and you)--hopefully soon!
Posted by: stephanie at July 15, 2005 08:29 AM
Um, hi, I am TOTALLY having ink envy. Traditional style is my favorite type of artwork, and my skin is literally itching to run out RIGHT NOW and get some more ink. I love it, it's original, it suits you, and it turned out beautifully. Speaking of itching, while it's healing, as much as you want to, DO NOT SCRATCH IT. Smack it. I am not kidding. You will feel ridiculous, but it helps the itching stop and keeps you from ruining that AMAZING piece of art. Looks like you girls had a kick ass birthday! How fun. I need to come up to Athens one of these days! :)
Posted by: Sarah at July 15, 2005 08:19 AM
Hi! I LOVE the tattoo. The details are really nice- he did a great job. Did it hurt a lot? I would have been so nervous!
Posted by: Leslie at July 15, 2005 08:10 AM
What a happy happy birfday you had!
Ilove your new ink! very very cool!!!
Posted by: heather at July 15, 2005 07:59 AM
Wow, that is the coolest tattoo I've ever seen!!! Fabulous design! A very happy birthday to you!
Posted by: megan at July 15, 2005 07:58 AM
happy bday again :)
wishing you & your favorite twin many more! :)
Posted by: carolyn at July 15, 2005 07:46 AM
Happy birthday to you and your sis!
Yea, another dancin' queen! I *heart* DDR, and I am sure this one is just as cool (sounds like it has good music!)
Great tattoo! That is so cool :)
Posted by: Lolly at July 15, 2005 07:35 AM
Happy Birthday, and congrats on the awesome ink!
Posted by: mindy at July 15, 2005 06:33 AM
thanks so much for sharing the link to the trinity shawl. yours was absolutely gorgeous and after reading the pattern -- it was also really easy! i think it's the perfect look for some yarn i've been dying to use out of my stash.
ps - happy belated birthday!
Posted by: jody at July 15, 2005 05:20 AM
What a fun b-day! That beat pad is awesome - I assume it's like DDR for PS2, which kicks ass bigtime. So much fun! And your tattoo looks *great*! Congrats!
Posted by: heide at July 15, 2005 03:11 AM
Looks like you had a great time! I am enjoying your tattoo very much lady! Beautiful drawing and beautiful tattoo work! and thanks for all the links!
Posted by: Christie at July 15, 2005 02:11 AM
I'm not much of a tattoo fan, but I really like yours! Happy Belated Birthday!!
Posted by: molly at July 15, 2005 01:49 AM
Happy Birthday! Great gifts and LOVE the tat! That picture of you and your sis belting out the hits is beautiful. No really!
Posted by: Silvia at July 15, 2005 12:47 AM
you are both beautiful...we have karaokee (sp) at my husband's restaurant on Friday...People love it...
Posted by: patricia at July 14, 2005 11:26 PM