New Illustrations + Library Makeover = Happiness.

We moved into our new home in December 2012 with a 1 1/2 year old and a baby due in March. In the house, we had a beautiful library/study off our bedroom that although I was very much looking forward to using as a home office/studio/reading nook we felt it best to use as an easy to access playroom. This worked out well for a little over a year, but as we entered into this past spring the clutter had become intolerable to both Nathan and I. Toys were out of control growing legs and moving all throughout the kitchen and our bedroom (stepping on box cars and miniature airplanes in the dark is the worst!!!!). And if that was not enough Nathan and I were battling over the small office area we had off the laundry room on days he worked from home which was too small to hold the both of us. We decided it was time to move the playroom upstairs to the empty bonus room above the garage (aka Nathan's mancave he never quite broke in) and create the office and library we had always intended and needed to have.

All of this to say, I looked at this as an opportunity to makeover the room and utilize some of my long lost illustration skills. Something I've struggled with for the past several years, actually ever since college, is illustrating often. And even though I practice graphic design in various outlets I somehow hardly ever do my own drawings. So I decided to whip up some simplistic illustrations to update the room.

In addition, I played a round of musical furniture/decor to update and brighten the room. I also purchased a few new inexpensive knick knacks, a new desk and desk chair and repainted the walls white in order to, once again, brighten things up.

Nathan and I were both really happy with the outcome. Wanted to share both the room and illustration work to show our progress. Enjoy!

Original design and illustration. Frames were spray painted a subtle gold to add a little
pop up against the white walls.

This is a "Before" photo of the previous playroom and the chaos we were dealing with
prior to the makeover. 

The "After" photo. The finished piece. One of my many happy places. 

Oh the Places She'll Go....Sweet P is ONE!

I've taken a lengthy blogging hiatus, but really wanted to take some time to post about my precious little Sweet P and her 1 year mark. Our little miss sassy pants has brought us so much joy, laughter and love this past year. I never knew one child could be so content and laid back, yet so active and into everything all at once. She doesn't want to miss a thing and wants to do exactly what big brother is doing. She's quirky. She's smart. She tickles herself with her silly little humor. Oh, how we love her so!

For Payton's 1st birthday I went with the whole hot air balloon theme and as I got going with the design and decor it only seemed fitting to use elements and quotes from Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You'll Go" - one of my favorite of his books. This party was so fun and easy to decorate! Love me some DIY crafts. Below I've included some photos from the celebration to share. Hope y'all enjoy!

DIY Birthday Hat. Original design. The yarn pom was a first for me and was so
easy to make. 

The Birthday Invitation. Original design.

Front + Inside of the invitation. Original design and photography.

Table Decor. DIY Hot Air Balloon Center Pieces. They were so fun and
easy to make!

The Party Favors! Hot Air Balloon Candy Pops. So fun! Original designed favor tags.

12 Months of Pay-Pay. A Year in Photos.

DIY Hot Air Balloons. 

Cake by Allicakes with added topper.

Miss Sadie. 

One of my favorite ladies and taters!

The Birthday Girl - Sweet P.

Our little family.

An All New JCG

We're happy to roll out this long awaited and ever so exciting news. JC Graphics has a new name, JCG Apparel, and newly redesigned website. Visit us at www.jcgapparel.com. You can also follow us on facebook, twitter or instagram. Thanks! Love y'all!

Happy Birthday Dylan and Mahna Mahna!

You know how they say "Don't Blink"? Well, let me tell ya - Don't! Dylan has been 2 for a little over two weeks now and it still feels weird when I say it. TWO YEARS!! Wow. Our little ham (I call him little ham a good bit because the kid is pretty darn hilarious) has changed so much. No more walking. We now run. No more reaching on our tip toes. We climb (and very high at that). He talks a ton, he understands much more. He jumps, he slides, he dances, he plays hide and seek (also known as "make momma panic") and once again, he CLIMBS! He quotes movies and things he hears that make him laugh. He imitates. He sings. And what once was just peach fuzz a top his rather large noggin is now a full head of shaggy brown hair. I can go on and on. I love our little boy and I thank God each day for pairing him with us. He can be oh so stubborn, impatient and frustrated at times (all like his momma), but more than that he shows so much kindness, love and joy. I'm so blessed and proud to call him ours.

To celebrate his 2-year mark, we figured what would be better than some Muppets! Like I mentioned in my sneak peak post the Lotts watch a whole lot of the Muppets. We own the soundtrack too! Everyone of us loves them and I hope Payton grows to love them just as much. In addition to Kermit and Friends - since Dylan is a summer baby we deal with that good ole Mississippi summer heat (I melt. Literally. I have witnesses.). So I decided to include some water fun for the kids - inflatable slip-n-slide, kiddie pool, water sprinkler - all that good stuff. AND of course what would a party be for me without an opportunity to design some stuff! I tried to keep it more simple this year, but still enjoyed working up a few things for the partay.

It really was a great celebration full of fun for Dylan and the kiddos made special with family and close friends by his side. Below is a series of photos of the day and all the designed decor. Hope you enjoy. Mahna Mahna!

The Birthday Invite.

Front Door decor. Consisted of framed art, multi-colored streamers (I heart streamers - so cheery) and balloons.
Framed art was based on some simplistic character designs I had found that I fell in love with.

Back Porch decor. Billy Ball Bouquet, Streamers, Balloons and Dylan's toy
Muppet PUPPETS used as table centerpieces!

Rinse Station Signage + Water Buckets.

The Party Favors! Including original designed gift tags. Love some PEZ.

The Cake!! By AlliCakes. Made Dylan smile.

Food Table Decor.

The Lotts. 

Our little Sweet P hanging out with her Nonie during the festivities.

Birthday Boy and Daddy blowing out the candles.

Delicious and so fun to look at.

Precious Emma Kate.

Dylan + Rex. Slippin' and Slidin'.

Miss Collins. A true doll.

Ken A. Brewer aka Poppy.

A Baby Nursery : The Payton Edition

I LOVE (in all caps) a good baby nursery. They are so fun to decorate. And I love to see how others decorate theirs. There are so many sweet and beautiful directions to be chosen. So now that Dylan has finally moved to his big boy room (Still a work in progress. Look for a future post.) I felt like sharing some photos of Payton's revamped nursery. To all who followed the old blog, some of this will look familiar to you. With Dylan's nursery I spent a good bit of time sewing the bedding, creating original art and gathering furniture pieces for the room. Those of you who have decorated a nursery know the undertaking and cost of all that goes into it so I wanted to make the experience enjoyable, but a once in a lifetime one. I picked a gender neutral color scheme knowing there could potentially be a baby girl Lott one day (well whadda ya know?!). Yellow, white and robin egg blue (if you know me and my home - you know this is pretty much my favorite color scheme) were chosen for the dominant colors in the room while hints of green, red and orange were added in in a way that could easily be switched out if needed. So for Payton's sweet little nursery all I had to do was add a few "girly" touches here and there. I switched out the oranges in the room with pinks, created a new bird illustration to replace the elephant illustration I had created for Dylan, added some new knick-knacks and wah-lah! This is what I came up with....enjoy!

Original Designed Art and Sewn Bedding. 

A close up of the illustration. 

Cross-Stitch of Payton's initials from my sweet amazing friend, Roiann. 

What would a Melissa Lott project be these days without some fabric flags?

Easy Peezy Fabric Art made with Wooden Embroidery Hoops. I just
switched out the oranges and added in some pink patterned fabrics.
Like I said - Easy Peezy! 

One of my many childhood Winnie the Poohs plus one of
my favorite china dolls.

Some old and new knick-knacks.