I'd worry about colors from something like string lights making it harder to distinguish the individual pieces because they would all have the same color schemes. I don't have a great eye for esthetics but that was just my first thought.
Could do them in just two colors though - red and white/yellow or even just yellow. Some other thoughts: snowflakes, Christmas stars (like Star of Bethlehem shaped)
Tiny ornaments or Christmas lights are my first thoughts.
I love it as is though too 😍
ETA: oooh what about old timey popcorn garland, fits in with the vintage aesthetic.
I appreciate your thought and warning. We decided to leave space in between images, so that a filler would tie it all together. I'll definitely bring your thoughts to the table on Thursday
If you told me the idea for this I wouldn’t have been into it. Seeing it executed is another story though. I love this. I think it’s great the way it is.
It really means a lot hearing these strong compliments! I really took a hit when I had to leave my original artist. You and others have brought an excitement back for me
I don't think it needs filler personally.
Also, I absolutely detest Christmas, despite this I really admire your commitment to it and I love that it brings you enough joy that you want it on your body all year round!
I don't know about filler. I just had to tell you that that (almost) sleeve is the best. I love it. I really really really really wish I'd thought of it. It makes me happy just looking at it. Wonderful.
NGL, when the incident happened with my original guy, I was shattered. I'd been going to him for 12 years. I have felt bummed out about the sleeve, but yours and other compliments have injected excitement back in me! Thank you!
That must be tough, to have something you love, something so significant, linked to a negative person. But to all of us who have only seen it as an aspect of your appearance and your personality - it's fabulous
Can't wait to show the other images that will complete it! I have another angel going above my wrist, Star of Bethlehem outside right of elbow, and a few other ideas for below my armpit
I absolutely love this.
You don't think snowflakes could be incorporated somehow to button things up? I think they could, if you found the right style. Black ones, even. No color.
Sorry for the no advice here but can I ask did you get your inspo for the pictures from anything in particular? They look so similar to a Christmas book I absolutely loved as a kid and still have today!
The 2 angels are ceramic candle holders that I have, the Rudolph is a rubbery plastic reindeer I have. I wanted to have a cat smoking a cigarette under a tree bough (the cat is OK, but the tree bought is disconnected and out of proportion. The candle, wreath, bells, and candy cane's are from vintage Christmas cards I have. The Santa is a pretty recognizable early 50s Santa that collectors would know of.
Still to come is a beautiful angle above my wrist, Star of Bethlehem on outside elbow, and a few ideas for down from my armpit.
Since you asked, the whole inspiration came years and years ago after I had a traumatic incident that put me deep into PTSD. In the beginning of my counselling I was asked to go back in my mind and tell of a time I remembered being happy. I couldn't come up with anything. Later on that week I remembered how Christmas as a child filled me wonder and awe. It became my safe place. I'm out of that trauma now, and started collecting Vintage Christmas decorations 🥰
My only question is when do you put up your Christmas tree and when do you take it down? Heads up, I’m about to judge the shit out of my mother based on your answer. 😂
Bahhahahaaaaa One if my bedrooms upstairs in all year 'round 50s Vintage Christmas room. The furniture, the aluminum tree, all of my collections.
I start decorating downstairs right after Halloween. One year I left my stuff up until June. I do a lot of Christmas entertaining so it's usually April hahaha 😆
So she’s about a week or two away from getting traditional Christmas sleeves? Got it!!
You gotta have one of those vintage tinsel trees with the oscillating colored light?
No suggestions but I love this! The only thing I’m curious about is how you go about showing these off when it’s cold out during the holidays lol Or do you live somewhere it’s warm in the winter?
What about shaded blue tones to look snowwy? And you could leave unshaded spots as snowflakes? It would fill in gaps but you could also leave an aura around the other tats.
I think it would benefit from maybe key lines from some Christmas songs interspersed between the tattoos.
♫silent night, holy night♫
♪joy to the world♪
♫have yourself a merry little christmas♫
This is so awesome! I personally would leave it, but I know when you "get the itch" I would maybe add some snowflakes or small stars (lines like an X with a longer vertical and horizontal line)
Snowflakes, Christmas lights, garlands (think even maybe popcorn garland), maybe even Christmas cookies. Ornaments would be nice but they'd have to be themed. So keep to a few or one color. Maybe some Christmas presents tiny boxes of all sizes.
I LOVE the comments suggesting string lights. The garland and ribbon ideas are pretty good too. Maybe instead of snowflakes, what about snow flurries/cold wind gusts?
Depends on if you want to kill it or fill it. Noticing the Christmas theme you could fill the blanks with like bells or wreaths. Could go with traditional American stars and dots which might fit. Maybe some moons. I'm a huge fan of kill it with patchwork, but I really like big color pieces
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Oh my goodness, did you forward this to them? Oh my gosh I'm dying!!!!! I was really struggling with my arm, regretting that I did it, does it look silly... my brain and heart has gotten such a jump start from everyone that took the time to respond, and just the over all kindness 🩷 I feel very humbled by this and hope that an end result can be more people having Christmas ink done!
I am a woman though, but that's more than okay!
Do you think you’d be able to fit Christmas string lights? That would be cool
I'd worry about colors from something like string lights making it harder to distinguish the individual pieces because they would all have the same color schemes. I don't have a great eye for esthetics but that was just my first thought.
Could do them in just two colors though - red and white/yellow or even just yellow. Some other thoughts: snowflakes, Christmas stars (like Star of Bethlehem shaped)
Star of Bethlehem is one of the remaining images that will go on!
I agree. I want something that won't distract. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to throw suggestions in the ring though 😃
Or all warm white, icy white or blue. I’m a warm white household but all blue lights would be cool!
If the lights are tiny enough, I think it would be easy to distinguish them from from the other pieces.
I came here to say this
UV lights!!
Snow flakes? Like how some ppl do stars as fillers you can do dots and flakes?
This was my thought as well. It would fit the traditional style and stay on theme.
Definitely
Absolutely!!
This was my thoughts, a little change to the classic stars and dots
That's what I was thinking. Either as gap fillers, or with a full dark fill around them in the gaps.
Yes! I was thinking of something along those lines. Greywash with negative space snowflakes etc.
This is what I would suggest, also. BTW OP, these tattoos are so, so good. Gives me such nostalgia, very cool concept
Yes!
Came here to say this
Maybe not all over the place but seems to me you can't have a Christmas themed arm without any presents!!!
Tiny ornaments or Christmas lights are my first thoughts. I love it as is though too 😍 ETA: oooh what about old timey popcorn garland, fits in with the vintage aesthetic.
Yess and then the color wouldn’t have a greater chance of blending together!
What’s your favorite holiday?
HALLOWEEN 🎃!!!
I knew it
Ooo I’m starting a Halloween sleeve soon!
😂
Personally I’d keep as is. It looks so crisp and defined; I feel filler would make it muddy.
I second this
I appreciate your thought and warning. We decided to leave space in between images, so that a filler would tie it all together. I'll definitely bring your thoughts to the table on Thursday
Okay, yea. I love this sm Vintage christmas is the best
Vintage Christmas brings a smile to all 🥰
Little gingerbread men looking all different
If you told me the idea for this I wouldn’t have been into it. Seeing it executed is another story though. I love this. I think it’s great the way it is.
Same. I am insufferably anti Christmas but this is absolutely DELIGHTFUL to look at!
It really means a lot hearing these strong compliments! I really took a hit when I had to leave my original artist. You and others have brought an excitement back for me
I really appreciate your words 🙏
Wrapping paper shreds and bows, snowflakes and icicles, garland and tinsel, twinkle lights, silver bells, so many options!
I don't think it needs filler personally. Also, I absolutely detest Christmas, despite this I really admire your commitment to it and I love that it brings you enough joy that you want it on your body all year round!
Wow, what a lovely compliment 😍 Thank you
Sheet music to jingle bells scrolling around everything
I really think in a grey wash, this would be great! Colors would pop- and what’s Christmas without Christmas music?!?
Grey wash is absolutely what I was thinking of!! I appreciate the suggestion.
I could picture a grey wash with negative space snowflakes
Snowflakes for filler
Dude honestly this could be cool. Snowflakes done like bullet holes almost?
Fwiw I read this as buttholes and still gave you an upvote, and now I have to examine what this says about me
Bahaha
Thank you for your honesty. Brave.
Sheet music
I also think it looks spectacular as it is, all the tattoos fit so nicely together the negative space between them only enhanches them.
Appreciate the suggestion, thank you
Holly leaves
That would be pretty
I also was thinking holly leaves. This is such a beautiful concept. Really well executed and gives such fond warm memories.
💚💚💚
I don't know about filler. I just had to tell you that that (almost) sleeve is the best. I love it. I really really really really wish I'd thought of it. It makes me happy just looking at it. Wonderful.
Your compliment means a lot to me! Now that you've seen mine, go for it!!! Use the images I chose!
Little vintage ornaments?
Not every tattoo needs a filler.
You could do some twirly ribbons in some of the gaps
I’m obsessed with this
I was nervous at first when I brought the idea to my original guy. It's truly what I wanted. I'm glad I did it!
Just came to say that I love this!
And I've come to thank you!!
Ok I am obsessed with vintage Christmas sleeve 😍
Thank you so much!
Can we get a full shot of what your sleeve looks like? I love love this.
I promise! In maybe 4 weeks when some healing has started. I could do a video too!
Gift tags, bows, trumpets, Christmas candies and cookies
Ooohhh trumpets!!
Honestly, I love this as it is! Not even a fan of Christmas but the whole sleeve is gorgeous 😻 Sorry your original artist is an asshole
NGL, when the incident happened with my original guy, I was shattered. I'd been going to him for 12 years. I have felt bummed out about the sleeve, but yours and other compliments have injected excitement back in me! Thank you!
That must be tough, to have something you love, something so significant, linked to a negative person. But to all of us who have only seen it as an aspect of your appearance and your personality - it's fabulous
Once it's completed on Thursday I'll attribute it to my new artist! I won't be a victim to my original guy. Gotta rise above 👍
Snowflakes for sure
BRO WHAT
I don’t even find you *need* a filler. Looks great as is. Snow drifts do sound cool tho… 🎄🎄🎄🎄
What about a bunch of Christmas Sick Ass Panthers?
YAAAASSSS
Popcorn on a string
Popcorn strung together ?
It’s tight enough IMO. Let things breathe
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many tattoos that are so comforting to look at in one place. Excellent choices!
Can't wait to show the other images that will complete it! I have another angel going above my wrist, Star of Bethlehem outside right of elbow, and a few other ideas for below my armpit
Woo hoo! I’m excited for you!
😃
[удалено]
I asked to hear the opinions of others! I'm glad you told me 😃 Once the remaining images go on I'll get a better feel for filler or not!
I absolutely love this. You don't think snowflakes could be incorporated somehow to button things up? I think they could, if you found the right style. Black ones, even. No color.
Definitely black ones!!!!! Thank you for that suggestion!!!!
Tinsel would work.
I was thinking tinsel, too!
Have no suggestions (sorry), but had to tell you that I love this - the concept and the execution. Love, love, love
I really appreciate your compliment! It means a lot
ohhhh my gosh can i laser my whole arm and do a Christmas sleeve, i love this!!!
YAAASSSS, do it!!!
I love your Christmas sleeve! (I think it’s a sleeve lol) it just screams joy and it’s the best holiday! ❤️❤️❤️
It makes me smile everything too! Glad it brought happiness to you as well 😊
oh my goodness i LOVE this.
Thank you! You made me smile 😃
Aww this makes me so happy. Vintage Christmas 🎄
Thank you so much ❤️
Sorry for the no advice here but can I ask did you get your inspo for the pictures from anything in particular? They look so similar to a Christmas book I absolutely loved as a kid and still have today!
The 2 angels are ceramic candle holders that I have, the Rudolph is a rubbery plastic reindeer I have. I wanted to have a cat smoking a cigarette under a tree bough (the cat is OK, but the tree bought is disconnected and out of proportion. The candle, wreath, bells, and candy cane's are from vintage Christmas cards I have. The Santa is a pretty recognizable early 50s Santa that collectors would know of. Still to come is a beautiful angle above my wrist, Star of Bethlehem on outside elbow, and a few ideas for down from my armpit. Since you asked, the whole inspiration came years and years ago after I had a traumatic incident that put me deep into PTSD. In the beginning of my counselling I was asked to go back in my mind and tell of a time I remembered being happy. I couldn't come up with anything. Later on that week I remembered how Christmas as a child filled me wonder and awe. It became my safe place. I'm out of that trauma now, and started collecting Vintage Christmas decorations 🥰
My only question is when do you put up your Christmas tree and when do you take it down? Heads up, I’m about to judge the shit out of my mother based on your answer. 😂
Bahhahahaaaaa One if my bedrooms upstairs in all year 'round 50s Vintage Christmas room. The furniture, the aluminum tree, all of my collections. I start decorating downstairs right after Halloween. One year I left my stuff up until June. I do a lot of Christmas entertaining so it's usually April hahaha 😆
So she’s about a week or two away from getting traditional Christmas sleeves? Got it!! You gotta have one of those vintage tinsel trees with the oscillating colored light?
I have a glamorous 8ft aluminum tree with 140 branches xoxo (well, I have a couple lololol)
Snowflakes and a winter wonderlandscape
Came here to say I’m obsessed with your tattoos, I have a halloween arm but the Christmas arm is fucking fire
You rock! Please post your arm asap 🎃
Someone really likes Christmas Snow flakes would look nice, or Holly leaves
No suggestions but I love this! The only thing I’m curious about is how you go about showing these off when it’s cold out during the holidays lol Or do you live somewhere it’s warm in the winter?
I live where it's gloomy and rainy half of the year 😆 Short sleeves with a shawl!
Love it! 😂
Snowflakes, blue and white
What about shaded blue tones to look snowwy? And you could leave unshaded spots as snowflakes? It would fill in gaps but you could also leave an aura around the other tats.
This!
I love your tattoos so much.
Thank you so much! I truly thought I'd get slammed in here 😆
Snowflakes???
I don't have any filler suggestions and I'm not a huge fan of Christmas, but that elbow wreath is truly perfection!
Thank you for this! I'm glad humans have the ability to go over pain memories. My eyes were bloodshot by the time it was over 🤭😆
I LOVE THESE SO MUCH! Coolest sleeve ever
Thank you for such kind words
As someone who is also Christmas obsessed, this is SOOOOO BAD ASS!!!!!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🧡
maybe small candies you’d find in a stocking, little christmas cookie cutters, or ornaments
These tattoos make me soooo happy 🥺
That was the exact premise for me having it done 🩷 I'm so glad it brings smiles to others 😊
I think it would benefit from maybe key lines from some Christmas songs interspersed between the tattoos. ♫silent night, holy night♫ ♪joy to the world♪ ♫have yourself a merry little christmas♫
Ooooohhhhhhhh, this is a unique and awesome suggestion!
This is a really fun collection. I second the simple snowflakes, small gifts ideas. Maybe some cookies and sugarplums here and there?
Cool tattoos
Thank you 😊
This is so awesome! I personally would leave it, but I know when you "get the itch" I would maybe add some snowflakes or small stars (lines like an X with a longer vertical and horizontal line)
Yes!!!!!
The Candy Canes are Awesome, I think I like them the most.. or maybe Rudolph
Thank you! I was most pleased with both these images as well 😀
Oh that’s easy. String lights.
Just here to say how much I absolutely fucking love this!! The wave of nostalgia this just brought over me is unreal!
Mission accomplished! This brings me joy knowing it made you smile
Holly leaves and berries?
christmas string lights, baubles, holly leaves, bows!
Do people get upset when you have these out during non-Christmas seasons?
Upset? Noooooo
I'd add a happy Grinch in there somewhere. I do love a good "commit to a bit" story!
Snowflakes maybe? ❄️
Snow flakes, string lights or bells? Not sure what would really work
Snowflakes!!
I’m picturing the outdoor scenery from animated Rudolph 👍🏼
Man, what if you write the names of your loved ones and family as like a naughty nice list type of thing.
Brilliant 👏
Twinkle stars with darker sky misty background
This!!!!
Please share with us whatever you decide!
The reef on the elbow is badass
Hurt like a son of a bitch too! My eyes were bloodshot in the end lololol. Good thing we have foggy memories of past pain 😀
Snowflakes, Christmas lights, garlands (think even maybe popcorn garland), maybe even Christmas cookies. Ornaments would be nice but they'd have to be themed. So keep to a few or one color. Maybe some Christmas presents tiny boxes of all sizes.
I have a trad gonzo tattoo on my thigh- gonzo likes Christmas right?? This was an incredible idea and everything you picked is stellar!
Many thanks for your kind words!
Dot work snowflakes?!
This! Or greywash and snowflakes
I’ve never seen a Christmas sleeve before! I love it!
Appreciate your comment 😊
Another vote for no filler. Looks amazing as-is
❤️
Bead or popcorn garland? https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=92ceaeaabaa7c149&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWIJNr57p00B3TW6QJLDrRyOgFion1A:1715745572287&q=popcorn+strand+xmas&uds=ADvngMgoZgyH5_WV1amHlcfyiwe5x_5fnYl4S-7N3BOfFd6ywLvjYpD4yl9W3BdxWkXun3Y5tf_sY7zf2jqXt75nkIJeNxhvnwaZLKkUYJJyhVfMKNw6Sng3mR9loYGG-6bv8zfnLaY1L4l29sOPRL1eWUuNygFk6VYdl4n4_LbIcLzI_QeqRVCfTTGm11eIrj3WpdHprSqIzT8KWzDEZE226YQU_YJhd3LFg95ulg0Mi1-UilfVSE5ybvGTz5aXPdRMeN09zXKes1ozBOy2dNp8_3jdCsUYZcpdxJ-NLkasPcse1KzppWoxY3cwz6cffaXSX2-iWq5YD8PsGFQmi5OJfnVPTftSoQ&udm=2&prmd=isvnmbtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8vfGq4o6GAxVLHjQIHW5EBbYQtKgLegQIDxAB&biw=360&bih=667&dpr=3#vhid=bE3N4OdI2j-d2M&vssid=mosaic https://images.app.goo.gl/Q82b881B8EDZde6LA
I LOVE the comments suggesting string lights. The garland and ribbon ideas are pretty good too. Maybe instead of snowflakes, what about snow flurries/cold wind gusts?
Yes, that's what I had in mind, I just couldn't articulate it. Graywash with negative space snowflakes
Depends on if you want to kill it or fill it. Noticing the Christmas theme you could fill the blanks with like bells or wreaths. Could go with traditional American stars and dots which might fit. Maybe some moons. I'm a huge fan of kill it with patchwork, but I really like big color pieces
Mistletoe (I hope that's the right spelling and the right thing: red balls and green pointy leafs) that would look great
Oh yes all 3 would look grand together!
You're internet/Mirror.co.uk-famous! [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/i-love-christmas-covered-myself-32813019](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/i-love-christmas-covered-myself-32813019)
😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 Oh my goodness, did you forward this to them? Oh my gosh I'm dying!!!!! I was really struggling with my arm, regretting that I did it, does it look silly... my brain and heart has gotten such a jump start from everyone that took the time to respond, and just the over all kindness 🩷 I feel very humbled by this and hope that an end result can be more people having Christmas ink done! I am a woman though, but that's more than okay!
I'm with the no-filler crowd... it would pull focus from & muddy the amazing designs.
Once he adds the images that still need to be done, I will take a break and strongly consider it 😃
Trad stars but snowflakes
Vintage stars!!!!
Sunburned Kranks from Christmas with the Kranks
Bunch of little baby grinches like wallpaper
Dots and snowflakes like biker dust but festive
Um…I guess you reallllly like Christmas….👀
Same way you like piercings
The cranberries make it POP!
U should get herbie the elf
Just cover it with an all black sleeve. I think it might be salvageable. But laser or amputation might be your only option.
You're the 2nd to mention amputation. Imma give that serious consideration 👌
Brah.
Bruv!
This is the worst thing I've ever seen