Kat Von D: My New BFF

So it's official. Kat is my new BFF. We chatted yesterday like old pals. I'm completely obsessed with her right now, immersed in her book, living the tattoo lifestyle vicariously.

For, as you guessed, I don't have a single tattoo. The only Mydol who does is our new drummer Laura, who has several. Me, April and Judy ... none.

I am dreaming of the tattoo Kat's someday going to give me, but she said it takes about a year to get an appointment with her at her L.A. shop, High Voltage Tattoo.

Wanna know what else she told me? Pick up a copy of the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers Thursday, Feb. 5 and find out!

Meanwhile, I'm hoping to stalk her at Borders on Feb. 13 when she signs copies of her book!

Interview with Kat Von D!

Don't hate me because I have an interview with this rock 'n' roll goddess today, about her new book High Voltage Tattoo.

The book is awesome. It's like Kat Von D's personal tattoo diary. She shares the first tattos she gave and received, her tattoo machine collection, and photos of favorite tattoos on other people. Of course there's plenty of ink devoted to Kat Von D's own tatts.

Kat also give props to fellow tattoo artists she admires. Featured prominently is Detroiter Bob Tyrell of Night Gallery tattoo shop.

So anyway, me and Kat Von D are scheduled to talk at 5:30 and I just know we're going to become the best of friends!

Fun pop quiz: Who is the only Mydol with tattoos?

Stay tuned.

DIY Hootenanny Crafts

The DIY craft show during the Circus Family Hootenanny was so much fun. Crafters spread out their stuff on the pool tables at the Magic Stick, lit perfectly by the overhanging pool table lights.

I was supposed to help peddle the Mydols' wares, but I was more interested in looking at what all the other DIY-ers had made. One of my favorite finds was a ladybug onesie by KaRepackage, since Violet's nickname is ladybug.



I also loved Intl. Robot designs. Dylan Strzynski lends his quirky robot illustrations to buttons, T-shirts and decals that are large enough to decorate a wall.



Both of these Michigan-based crafters can be found at etsy.com.

The Mydols sold a few things too - including our paper dolls (shown) - and we were inspired to make much more.

Hootenanny Recap

My bandmates have already blogged about what a success Sunday's Hootenanny was. What a blast. I am truly heartened to see so many hipster parents in one room. There's hope. It could even make a die-hard bachelor like Johnny Miller want to have some kids.


And what music!


Almond Joy from Candy Band gave a sneak peek of her new song Monkey, which is destined to be a hit. She was joined by Mr. Seley, a teacher in Birmingham whose album Eat Your Books and Read Your Vegetables contains the standout You're So Wonderful (You Should Live in a Castle).


The best part was surprise guest musician Cello Bella on, what else, a beautiful cello. I'm so excited to know she'll be playing with the Mydols on the bill at Mamapazooza this spring.


The Mydols held it down too, with snake charming Laura (pictured) on drums, Judy the hobo on guitar, me the mime on silent bass, and ringmaster April on the mic!

It's a Hoot!

Well, the Circus Family Hootenanny is today. I'll be putting on my mime makeup at the Magic Stick to get ready for the show! I'm excited to play with Almond Joy from the Candy Band. I am Candy Band's biggest fan and haven't seen them for a long time (although me and my kids have listened to them aplenty). Paula is a rockin' guitarist and songwriter.

The Mydols crew just got back from doing a live segment on this morning's Fox2 News with Deena Centofanti promoting the event and demonstrating a kid's craft that we'll have for sale at the DIY craft tables. Watch the video at mydols.tv.

I also wrote a column about the Hootenanny in Thursday's Observer & Eccentric Newspapers. It explains how April Mydol (above) began staging the family-friendly concerts in 2001. Click here to read all about it.

See you at the Magic Stick, 2:30 p.m. sharp!

Mommie Coolest Craft: Lunch Sack

In preparation for the Family Hootenanny this Sunday at the Magic Stick, the Mydols have been crafting their fingers to the bone. What, did you think we were actually practicing our instruments?

In true Judy Mydol fashion, a small craft table at the Hootenanny has gotten carried away into a whole line of housewares carrying the Mydols' new label: Mommie Coolest.

Among aprons, pot holders and guitar pick jewelry, one of our crafts is a reusable lunch sack (see photo). You like? Either buy one at the Hootenanny or DIY with this handy-dandy Reusable Lunch Sack instructional video on YouTube.

Hula Twist

I wrote lyrics for a new song, Hula Twist, that we're planning to perform at the Circus Family Hootenanny 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Magic Stick in Detroit. Hoopin' for the Hood will be there, including Micha Adams (pictured), and we're hoping our song will inspire everyone to hoop it up.

Circus Family Hootenanny

The Mydols practiced again on Monday night and our sound is really coming together. Our new drummer Laura actually practices, so she's getting up to speed fast. My Daisy Rock guitar sounds great.

Meanwhile, I bet we are the only band on earth that has to cut practice short so the bassist can go home and breastfeed!

Need to get pregnant?

Some guy handed me this business card on the Wayne State University campus many years ago. I just rediscovered it in my basement and had to submit it to Found Magazine.

One wonders not so much how 'Ted' helps women get pregnant, but that he has the nerve to try and make it a legitimate business!

Expand Your Canvas

Today, Northridge Church is starting a series called Expand Your Canvas, to demonstrate how each of us is a masterpiece in God's eyes. In conjunction with the series, the church is staging a member's art exhibit, to which Jeff submitted the piece above.

A friend recently recommended The Artist's Way, a book about recovering and nurturing the spiritual aspect of creativity. One of the things the book talks about is serendipity, when 'coincidences' conspire to help you achieve what you wish for.

I don't know exactly why I'm getting all these messages about creativity, but I'm going to try to listen. Maybe I'll find out during Expand Your Canvas, which last through Feb. 22.

A Year in the Life of a Mydol

Instead of making resolutions I won't keep, I want to ring in the New Year by reflecting on auld lang syne. Taking a cue from April Mydol's blog, here are my personal highlights of 2008:


1) The birth of my daughter Violet - my little flower!


2) The Mydols trip to Minneapolis - meeting rocker Laurie Lindeen, and playing the Northstar Roller Derby Girls bout.

3) Traveling to Sandusky for a Mydols gig during Ohio Bike Week, and a weekend at Cedar Point.

4) Going Up North for girls ski weekend at Crystal Mountain, and family camping trips at Higgins Lake.

5) Traveling to New York City with the Mydols to appear on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.



6) Interviewing designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka for PINK before their fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue.


7) Bringing shoe diva Meghan Cleary to town to speak for the Detroit chapter of Fashion Group International.

8) Taking Verick to swim lessons at LifeTime Fitness and sports lessons with Coach Dave at the Northville Rec Center.

9) Spending three months as a stay-at-home mom during my maternity leave - and finally potty training my son!

10) Ringing in the new year at Northville Nite with my awesome family.

Hootenanny Crafts

The upcoming Family Hootenanny will feature a DIY craft show (along with music, circus performers, Hula hoopers and more), so the Mydols are busy crafting creative things to sell.

Judy has found the cutest pattern for reusable, eco-friendly lunchbags, and I'm making several of my signature vintage-inspired aprons (at right). I'm also working on some guitar pick earrings. nStay tuned for more Mydols crafts and information on the Hootenanny.

Northville Art House Show

My husband, Jeff Von Buskirk, has a painting in the Northville Art House's 3rd Annual Members Exhibition, opening this Friday.

The artist's reception is 6-9 p.m. Jan. 9, and the exhibit will be up through Jan. 25.

We Got the Beat

After taking a break during my three-month maternity leave, the Mydols have reconvened for practice. Johnny broke his wrist, so rockin' mom Laura has taken over on the drums. Laura was inspired to drum after mastering the video game Rock Band, and she invested in a fancy kit and weekly lessons.

Even with six children, three dogs, four cats, two birds, two lizards, a handful of hamsters, a snake, a frog and an aquarium full of fish, she finds time to rock.

Last night, we practiced in her living room, and shook her family photos right off the walls!

With a new drummer and lead singer, we have some work to do, but we'll be ready for the Detroit Family Hootenanny, 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Magic Stick. The afternoon will feature family-friendly music, crafts, hula hooping and more.

Hope to see you there!