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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Supporting mommas

THPM calendar model Lori talks ecigs with member and vapor shop owner Priscilla

Social lizard

THPM Chrissy's son Bob checks out the mascots at Social Lizard Vapor Company

Mommas

We brought our babies to our first calendar signing!

Music

Watching live music at a calendar signing

Model mommas

THPM at Daddy Jack's Body Art Studio

Sign me

Chrissy and Brook

New ink

New tattoo from my pal Derrick at Daddy Jack's Body Art Studio in Fort Worth

Calendar signings

A few pictures of some Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas at December calendar signings

Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas gifts

Christmas.  It always comes too fast.

Today was the first day we bought the kids presents to put under the tree.

For Cole, a mini pinball machine, two Hot Wheels cars to add to his collection and for Stella, a Doc McStuffins doctor kit and two My Little Ponys. A smart phone and tablet to share. And daddy is turning a Power Wheels Jeep into a true ride with a working stereo, dashboard lights, green and red LED lights underneath.

The kids will be excited. Now to decide what to get the 12-year-old who is apathetic yet picky. Sigh.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Peace & Quiet (as much as i can get)

The dust from the media storm has settled. It has been at least two weeks since a reporter has requested an interview.

The stories didn't portray us honestly and they played up the controversy of the charity denying our money because we chose to earn it through a calendar that made us feel beautiful and empowered.

Thing is, those "scandalous" calendars are still at the printer, delayed by the ice storm. There aren't any proceeds right now to give; we don't even have the actual document in our hands.

As a journalist for 15 years, I'm disgusted that reporters write stories without speaking to the source. And maybe shocked to be backed into a wall on the other side, threatened to speak my side or use the THPM page as quotes.

This blog was made at the time the original group formed, but it does not convey a message from 700 women across the US and London. It is but one tattooed hippie pirate momma: this one. Stacy. The original tattooed hippie pirate momma.

Soon Inside Edition will air our story and the phone will start to ring again. I'm ready for positive press.

This mom group turned movement is about to become an actual business. Exciting ventures lie ahead.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Order your THPM 2014-15 Calendars Here!

Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas 2014-2015 calendars are now ready for order! They will be available starting December 7th and we will be holding several signing events in DFW during the month of December.
You can buy a pinup calendar here to have two years of hot mommas on your wall.




If you don't want a calendar but like what we're doing and want to help, please donate. Everything we do comes out of our own pocket, like annual calendar printing. Any donations are appreciated!





Thank you all for the support!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

One woman

I am only one woman
I can't stand on a pedestal to speak for all the mothers
of the world while the hypocritical listen
I can't speak for the renegade women
who want their own voices
to be heard
They don't need my permission to let their freak flags fly
They are powerful, educated
strong willed and opinionated
I cannot speak for all of those who call me their fearless leader
For i am only a captain
with my crew
And this ship won't sail
without all of these pirates
behind me
I am but one
On a mission
In a movement
To stand up and speak
Let our voices be heard
Stand up for intolerance and ignorance
To tell the world
we are great mothers
That our tattoos are not signs of a bad role model
But instead a part of our souls
And raising children to be accepting of intolerance does nothing for this world
That our children will soon run
We'll have a tattooed president
Just ask my son
Because we are a mighty force of 700 strong
And all of our voices
can't
be
wrong
Stand back and watch us as we take over
For we are teaching our kids kindness in a world where people aren't always kind
And humanity should be ashamed of itself most of the time
When most people are hiding
We are not afraid
So many different faces
Yet our journey is the same.

(Rough draft)
Written by stacy willingham
Not for reproduction outside of this blog

New shirt design

Thanks to a great designer, we have an official THPM logo that will be printed on shirts soon!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

THPM in the New York Daily News

Proceeds from tattooed Texas moms’ calendar refused by nonprofit

The 32 mothers, part of a group called the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas, hoped to donate proceeds from their 1950s style calendar to the Children's Advocacy Center in Denton. The center, which helps victims of sexual abuse, instead refused its proceeds, calling the photographs too sexual in nature.

The 2014-2015 Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas Calendar photos. Featuring 32 moms in the two year calender.

Courts Griner Photography / A 2014-2015 pinup calendar created by the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas features 32 moms in 1950s attire.

It's beauty beyond skin deep, but still in the eye of the beholder.
A group of tattooed moms behind a pinup calendar raising money for charity in Texas have had its proceeds thrown back at it after being called too sexy for the chosen nonprofit.
The 32 "unconventional moms," part of a 700-member group called the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas, hoped to share the proceeds of their two-year calendar with the Children's Advocacy Center in Denton.
The two-year calendar features just a small portion of the group's 700 members.

Courts Griner Photography / The two-year calendar features just a small portion of the group's 700 members.

Despite the nonprofit's need for funds, after taking one look at the women's 1950s-styled photos, they said "no thank you" instead.
"The money was raised with a pinup calendar that could be perceived by some as sexual in nature, and our Children's Advocacy Center's mission is to provide justice and healing for children who are the victims of sexual abuse," said the center's Executive Director Daniel Leal in a statement.
To some of those hardworking mommas turned models, they described themselves as "appalled" and "disappointed" by the charity's decision  and perception of their photos.
The women originally hoped to donate proceeds from their calendar to the Children's Advocacy Center in Denton, Texas, which helps victims of sexual abuse, but their offer was rejected, while also being called too sexual in nature.

Courts Griner/ The women originally hoped to donate proceeds from their calendar to the Children's Advocacy Center in Denton, Texas, which helps victims of sexual abuse, but their offer was rejected, while also being called too sexual in nature.


"We don't get to dress up as moms. Normally we don't wear makeup, we don't get fancied up where we feel beautiful," the organization's founder, Stacy Willingham, told the Daily News.
"We might not understand the way they called the pictures sexual because we don't think they were sexual in nature," she said, but added that at the same time, "We never meant to earn them negative publicity."
Some of the women expressed that they were upset at the charity's decision. The group's founder, Stacy Willingham, said they'll simply find another charity to take its place.

Courts Griner/ Some of the women expressed that they were upset at the charity's decision. The group's founder, Stacy Willingham, said they'll simply find another charity to take its place.

An email by the Advocacy Center rejecting Willingham's anticipated $3,000 to $5,000 in funds from the $30 calendars commended the mothers for "just being you," but described their organization as having a "highly conservative nature."
The man behind the calendar's lens, photographer Courts Griner, disapproved with the charity's take on the photos as well.
"It was a real big honor to work with these moms and make them feel like cover moms," he told the Daily News. "They were all sweet as can be. A lot of them have never had a like a glamour-type photo taken of them."
The calendar's photographer Courts Griner described the women as an honor to work with. He particularly emphasized its boost in the mothers' confidence with the photos turning out beautifully.

Courts Griner/ The calendar's photographer Courts Griner described the women as an honor to work with. He particularly emphasized its boost in the mothers' confidence with the photos turning out beautifully.

"I always try to see a topic like this on both sides," he said, but "we really don't feel that these images are too risque."
riner argued claims that the nonprofit previously accepted funds from other organizations such as the Dallas Mavericks Cheerleaders and shirtless firefighters.
The calendars are on sale for $30 and are expected to raise $3,000 to $5,000 in funds.

Courts Griner/ The calendars are on sale for $30 and are expected to raise $3,000 to $5,000 in funds.

"I find those calendars a little more sexual than what I did," he said.
Leal called claims like that, allegedly spread on social media sites like Facebook, unfounded.
"We don't get any proceeds from any calendars, nothing like that," he told The News.
Two of the three charities voted on by the women (posing and otherwise) were the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the White Family from DeSoto, Texas, whose family suffered tragic losses at the hand of a gunman.

Courts Griner/ Two of the three charities voted on by the women (posing and otherwise) were the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the White Family from DeSoto, Texas, whose family suffered tragic losses at the hand of a gunman.

"People were really stretching, comparing it to some other donations that we've received from other organizations, like the Dallas Mavericks, but we don't have a dancers calendar."
Willingham, a mother-of-two, said it was the second year her organization came out with a calendar featuring some of its members, but said it expect this year's to be the most successful.

Willingham, the group's founder, expressed her group as an incredible opportunity for 'women supporting one another.'

Courts Griner/ Willingham, the group's founder, expressed her group as an incredible opportunity for 'women supporting one another.'

It plans to donate money raised to two of its original three charities that members had previously voted on.
Those two are the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the White Family from DeSoto, Texas, who tragically lost members because of a gunman earlier this year.
As for the pinups, Willingham and Griner both described themselves as extremely proud of the photographs and the self-esteem that resulted from their work.
Griner reflected on one particular mother who posed as a welder in her shots  shots he said came out positively stunning.
"She had commented that she had never felt that beautiful in front of a camera, ever," he said. He described her shoot as one of his favorites, though added, "Obviously I enjoyed working with all of them."
Willingham expressed the same.
"I'm so happy that we were able to come together and feel that support and bond," she said. "More moms need that … incredible women supporting one another."
ngolgowski@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/tattooed-moms-pinup-calendar-slammed-sexy-charity-article-1.1509876#ixzz2kJMS8i00

New THPM logo by Matthew Warlick

Beautiful new artwork by the awesome Matthew Warlick. It will be gracing the front of a THPM shirt coming soon!


CultureTrack.com press

Rated Argh.

Rated Argh.

The Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas Organization Blasts Parental Stereotypes Through Pin-Up Shoots.

By H. Drew Blackburn on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 12:23 PM

"I don't wanna be the typical Texas mom," says Stacy Willingham of Denton.
She can't quite put a finger on what the typical Texas mother is, though. Or maybe she'd rather intuition do the typecasting. And maybe that's fair. The mind itself can adequately conjure an image of the Southern mother on its own -- bless-your-heart-isms and all.
The larger point is this: Willingham wants to buck that stereotype. Pint-sized and covered in tattoos, she's the founder of Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas, a support group for out-of-the-box moms or, as she puts it, "moms that might get stared at when they go out in public."
Willingham founded the group in July 2011 after her kids joined up with some playgroups helmed by mothers that were a bit too conservative for her tastes -- "a disappointing and discouraging experience," she calls it in a blog post from last week that explains her motives behind launching her THPM concept more than two years ago.
Today, her Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas troop has cultivated a Facebook group with over 550 members from Texas, Colorado, Missouri, California, New York and the United Kingdom. The group's members do what many playgroup-running mothers do. They organize trips, events and playdates for their young children. But they do so also with another goal in mind: to push forth the notion that there's more to a mother than just her children.
To that end, the group is far more than just a means for edgier mothers to meet up with like-minded women. In September, Willlingham's North Texas-based founding chapter of her organization shot a pin-up calendar for 2014 -- the group's second such effort -- that's intended to show that mothers can and do come in all shapes, in all sizes and with all sorts of varied artwork penned onto their skin. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar then go to a charity chosen by a democratic vote among the mothers from the group.
Cool Mommas.
Last year's calendar from the North Texas chapter of Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas raised $600, with proceeds going toward to the Denton County Friends of the Family organization. For this year's effort, the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas have selected the Children's Advocacy Center of Denton County and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as the recipients of their pin-up shoot's proceeds.
When reached for comment, development director Stacy Wainscott of Children's Advocacy said she hadn't heard about the group or its planned donation. But Willingham says that's by design: She never planned on telling the organizations of her plans. Rather, the money raised is intended to be donated as a gift.

Cool Mommas.
And, at this point, Willingham's concept does seem to be catching on. So far, the only only branch to have shot a calendar is the OG group here in North Texas. But that -- thanks in part to the international attention the group now is receiving from the likes of The Daily Mail and Inside Edition -- should be changing sooner than later, Willingham says.
"The Denver/Colorado Springs branch is talking about doing one next year for 2015 because this year's [North Texas calendar] was so successful," Willingham says. "And their group is really growing."
Cool Mommas.
That doesn't surprise Willingham.
"All of these women have their own personality and they want to be themselves as well as be great moms," she says. "When you become a mom, you tend to lose yourself in kids and diapers and daycare and all of the little moments that kids have."

Stephanie Hopkins knows that firsthand. When she moved to Corinth from Fort Worth, she tried to join a regular mothers meetup group to little avail.
"I didn't have anyone to talk to, and I wasn't accepted [in that group]," Hopkins says. "I guess [it was] because of the way I looked."
Cool Mommas.
Hopkins has two tattoos of pink ribbons right below her collarbone, as well as some barbed wire ink around her left arm. She also dabbles in badassery in her downtime as a member of Denton's House of Quad roller derby team.
But, Willingham stresses, mothers needn't be all-out tattooed baddasses -- nor even hippies -- to join the THPM cause. Surprising as this may be, they mustn't be pirates, either.
Those aren't the requirements. The only requirements in joining Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas, Willingham indicates, are an open mind and a lack of judgment.
"A lot of us just look at life a little bit differently," Willingham says. "And we prefer to be a little bit different."
Cool Mommas.
The 2014-15 Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas calendar will go on sale in late November. It can be pre-ordered here and will be available for purchase in various locations around North Texas, including Atomic Candy in Denton and Vador Vapes. All photographs posted here are by Courts Griner Photography, a shared courtesy of Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas.

"Judgmental Charity"

Local children's charity rejects donation from tattooed moms group

We made Mommyish!

I’m Running Away From Home To Join The ‘Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas’ Mommy Group

Discussing Mommy Groups as much as we do on Mommyish I think we have all come to the conclusion we do not like them. Or if we have one we wish it were different somehow. I tried a few mommy groups when my kids were little, and for the most part I just felt like I did not belong there. But after reading about the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas group out of San Antonio I want to go to there. I want to join them. They look cool! They sound cool and I bet they serve delicious snacks on occasion! From San Antonio.com:
“We do the same things any other moms playgroup does,” Diaz said. “Getting together, going to the park, to playgrounds, in-home play dates.
“Most active members have at least one child under school age. Some have older kids, some are first-time moms with babies. We’re varied.”
“I became a stay-at-home mom when I had kids. I was just really wanting to meet other moms, and I joined a local playgroup for moms with toddlers and babies,” Willingham said. “The first meetup I went to I felt so out of place because I was the only one with tattoos and piercings, and the other moms seemed more reserved where my personality was a little more loud.”

These are MY people! The members of the Denton chapter have put together a calendar to benefit multiple charities like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the local Children’s Advocacy Center. 
Willingham thinks the reason the group is gaining popularity, online and off, is because people understand her vision.
“I think we’re breaking a stereotype,” she said. “Just because we have tattoos doesn’t mean we can’t raise amazing children.”
Word and amen. I love the idea of mommy groups where just because you look different or are a little loud (which I may possibly be) you are made to feel welcome. I bet there isn’t a sanctimommy in the bunch there. That’s how I feel about all of you Mommyish readers. I just wish there was a way we could all hang out together and enjoy snacks!
(Images: Facebook)

Who are you calling yummy mummies?

Group of moms make a pin-up calendar showing off their tattoos and piercings to fight against traditional stereotypes

  • The Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas is a group of self-confessed 'non-traditional mothers' who've put together a calendar to help tackle peoples perceptions of what a mom should look like
  • The movement was formed by Texas mom-of-two Stacy Willingham in 2011 as a group for 'anyone who is or loves a tattooed mom'
  • It has since grown to include six group in the U.S., another two in the U.K. and more than 700 members online
  • 'I think we're breaking a stereotype. Just because we have tattoos doesn't mean we can't raise amazing children,' said Willingham, who has 15 tattoos
By David Mccormack
|
A group of self-confessed ‘non-traditional mothers’ are putting out a calendar to help spread the word about their organization and to help tackle people’s perceptions of what a mom should look like.
The Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas movement was formed in July 2011 and describes itself as a group for ‘anyone who is or loves a tattooed mom.’
It was founded by Stacy Willingham, a mother of two from Denton, near Dallas.
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Meet the mommas: Elin Adcock, left, is a computer support professional and mom of three by day, while Brook Ray, right, is mom to a two-year-girl, a chef and wine shop owner


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Ashley Jones, left, is a mother of two and wife to a former Marine, while Azure Hardy, right, is a senior at the University of North Texas, majoring in Anthropology and a mom

From humble beginnings it has rapidly spread to include branches in San Antonio, Austin, Denver, California, Missouri, New York and is even going international with two branches launching soon in London.
‘I became a stay-at-home mom when I had kids. I was just really wanting to meet other moms, and I joined a local playgroup for moms with toddlers and babies,’ Willingham told SFGate.
 
‘The first meetup I went to I felt so out of place because I was the only one with tattoos and piercings, and the other moms seemed more reserved where my personality was a little more loud.’
As well as the groups in different locations, the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas also has a thriving online presence on social media sites including Facebook and Meetup.com and now has over 700 members.
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Skye Weatheread, left, runs the Taschen Library in downtown Dallas and is a mom of two boys, while Stacy Willingham, right, is the founder of Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas and a professional writer, she is married with three kids

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Lori Peniston, left, is an Interior Designer/Artist and single mom to a three girl, while Stephanie Hopkins, right, is the mom to two daughters and plays roller derby for North Texas Derby Revolution under the name ‘E'wok O'Shame’


Willingham thinks the reason the group is gaining popularity, online and off, is because people understand her vision.
‘I think we're breaking a stereotype. Just because we have tattoos doesn't mean we can't raise amazing children,’ said Willingham, who has 15 tattoos.
In fact not all members are tattooed or pierced, but the one thing they do have in common is that they didn't feel comfortable in more traditional mommy groups.
Willingham says there are core values which set member of the Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas apart from other more traditional groups.
‘Members have to be open-minded and fearless. We are renegade women who aren’t afraid to speak our mind and are raising our children to help run the world,’ she told Mail Online.
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Ashley Ellsworth, left, is a stay-at-home mom to two boys and her fiancé, while Ashhlye Soto is a 22-year-old married stay-at-home-mom to Eden, aged one

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Anni Weir, left, is a married hairstylist with a son, Noah, while Amanda Servis, right, is a hairstylist and single mom to a son also called Noah. She did the majority of hair and makeup for the girls who modeled for the calendar

The group does a lot of the same things any other moms playgroup do – going to the park, play dates, picnics, going to the mall, girls nights out – but they also have got together to have tattoo parties.
The members of the chapter in Denton recently put together a calendar to benefit multiple charities in their local area for the second year running.
As well as raising money for good causes, the calendar was also a good opportunity for the moms to meet up and enjoy some all-important ‘me’ time.
‘Most of us are stay at home moms who don’t often get the opportunity to dress up and feel beautiful,’ said Willingham.
‘At the photo session for the calendar I had moms coming up to me saying that they felt gorgeous and had had the best time.’
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Amber Fergason, left, was one of the mommas from the San Antonio group to take part, while Stephanie Meier, right, is a hairstylist and single mom to daughter Wren, 2. She also did hair and makeup for the girls in the calendar

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Dawn Dreyer is a Dallasite, artist, DJ, social butterfly and mother to a brilliant 12-year-old little lady. By day she's a computer wiz, pushing parts & pixels, crunching numbers. In her spare time she puts energy towards her love for music and arts. You can see her grooving behind the turntables to her beloved DubStep, using power tools to create her 3D projects, paint brush in hand before an open canvas or dancing to her favorite tunes at music festivals


The calendar has a 1950s pinups theme and was very professionally done by Courts Griner Photography, it was shot on location with hair and makeup specialists to give it an authentic feel.
‘The project also has a wider aim to break down stereotypes and show that there are different types of moms that you might not see on a regular basis and that they are great parents too,’ said Willingham.
She admits that she and other members have experienced strangers telling them that they are setting a bad example for kids, but she strongly disagrees and argues that she and the other Tattooed Hippie Pirate Mommas are raising more open-minded and accepting children.
Combating bullying is a key issue for the group and their golden rule is that members must be respectful of others.
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Pamela Navarro, left, is pregnant with her second baby and is mom to daughter Tulsi, 2, while Samantha Osborn, right, has six kids, five daughters and one son, aged between 13 and 11 month old

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Chelsea Victorious, left, has a daughter, Paisley, while Cat McAdoo Chronister, right, is a billing specialist. She is married to Bill and has five kids. Twins Caryn and Anna are 19, Joi is 18, Wesley is 15 and Atticus is 10 months

‘We don't like bullying, we don't like drama, we want to accept moms for who they are. That's kind of our motto,’ Willingham said. ‘We have each other's backs. We're like family, honestly.’
The group’s name also has meaning:
  • Tattooed - people usually love art and are strong mentally; a little out of the box; aren't afraid to be different.
  • Hippies - reject the mores of established society (as by dressing unconventionally or favoring communal living) and advocate a nonviolent ethic.
  • Pirates - took their codes of loyalty very seriously, never turning their back on each other; they faced other pirates as a group, and their success depended on being a united front. They made their own rules and laws and did what they wanted.
  • Mommas - the thing that brings them all together.
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Chrissy Diaz, left, is a 33-year-old mom of three who enjoys baking, knitting, not fitting in, and escaping to the local rock club, while Michelle Henson, right, is a married mom of a five-year-old, Jevin, with her husband, Jerrime. She has the tops of both feet tattooed, with a blue ovarian cancer ribbon in memory of her mother on one