Loser helmet for Hog Wild for a Cure

Jon finished pinstriping the Loser Machine helmet for the Hog Wild for a Cure drawing that will be held next Saturday at Grillfest in downtown Mandan. Have you got your raffle ticket yet? Who knows, maybe you'll win the Harley ... or at least a tattoo with Larsons!

seven toddlers and one float :: parade recap

Do you know any two-year-olds who stay focused on one task for five hours? … Didn’t think so. But none-the-less that is exactly what we attempted to do during last Sunday’s 4th of July parade.

Again this year Jon and I tried to prove family and tattoos go together by putting seven young children (and one very little baby) in our 4th of July float. It proved a little tougher the second time around.

Last year, when we participated in the parade, the start time was two hours earlier (darn Sunday church) and most of the kids couldn’t walk. The difference this year meant that by the time we left the park to start the parade it was all of kids’ nap time, and they didn’t ride in their custom wagons that Jon and I spent a week solid toiling over.

But despite those negatives, it was still a great time!

It’s fun to get out and show that our family-owned business is just that, family owned and family focused. It is amazing how many hours these dads put into building personalize wagons for their kids. And, it’s fun to take something as alternative as a tattoo shop and show its softer (though still cool) side. After all, most tattoos are about family and very personal.

wagon preview

We're working hard this weekend to get ready for the Mandan 4th of July Parade. Here's a little sneak peek ...

freedom riders bike show

We're hanging out today at the Freedom Riders bike show at the Ramkota in Bismarck. Larsons and Gasoline Magazine are together in one booth (what could be better?!). Stop by and register to win this cool bike helmet that will be given away Sunday at the show.



Plus check out the Harley that will be raffled off this summer by Gasoline Magazine.

hanging out at wild about wheels

Little miss Emma for the two minutes she was content hanging out at the show last weekend. That's one of our new Dickies jeckets behind her. They turned out great.

more fun from the tattoo show

As promised, here are some more pictures from the Vegas tattoo show. We went entirely as spectators, so we got to just wander around and enjoy the talent on display. My favorite tattoo artists were the guys from Exclusive Ink out of Salinas, CA. They did my wrist tattoo and this crazy portrait of Chuck Norris on the first day.


Our pals Tara and Chad were falling over themselves for the guys from Lowrider. It's easy to see why with the crazy black and gray portraits they were doing.

And Jon ... He practically wet himself when he saw Mike Devries and Nikko, the guy who did the colored portrait on Kat in an episode of LA Ink.

benefit for al larson

This Sunday the Dakota Cruisers car club is hosting a benefit breakfast for Jon's dad, Al, at the Moose Lodge in Minot. Al is still in a very slow recovery process from the head injury he suffered back in January. It is still hard to accept what happened. Jon and I have tried our best to stay positive and optimistic. We are taking our cues from Al's wife Joanne who has to be one of the strongest women I have ever seen. She has handled the accident and taking on Al's care with such grace. The most inspiring part is to see how strong Al and Joanne's bond of love is – even in his changed state. The breakfast is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jon, Emma and I will be there enjoying some pancakes. Here is a video of a news story about Al and Joanne and the benefit.

Ay oh, oh aye

Yo Adriane, we're back from Vegas baby! The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth was great. Such talent, and Rocky! I said, "Hi."

We'll add more pictures from the show soon.

motor magic in minot :: shop closed

The shop will be closed this Labor Day weekend, Friday and Saturday, as Jon heads to Minot for Motor Magic. We will have a booth in the car show. Motor Magic is located on the State Fair grounds. The car show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

buggies and blues

We had a great time this weekend at Buggies and Blues. It was great to talk with everyone who stopped by the booth. (Photos from the Bismarck Tribune Web site)

Mandan Fourth Parade Recap

Mandan Parade and Buggies N Blues

I grew up in Bismarck and like most Bismarckians I never felt a need to cross the river into Mandan. Then we found a lovely house in Mandan, packed up our belongings and made the huge trek across the bridge.

Now I see there are several things Mandan has to offer,

• Lindy Sue's (Jon loves the sloppy joes, extra sloppy)
  
• Butcher Block Meats
  
• Beer sold on Sundays!
• Larsons Creative Concepts!!!!
• And great events

We are excited to be a part of some fun events in Mandan over the next month. Larsons shop will have a float in the Mandan Parade on July 4th. And no ordinary float - we are pulling out all stops for this one. It will be worth seeing!

Saddly Buggies N Blues had some awful weather on June 7th - it is North Dakota after all. But we are happy to report the car show has been rescheduled for July 26. We'll be there as usual, so stop by the booth and say hi.