Obsession. Such a strong word. Maybe I shouldn’t use that. But ever since I picked up my first couple cans of spray paint about 4 months ago, I tend to look at things (everything) with a new perspective: To spray-paint or not to spray-paint? That is the question.

So yeah, it does feel like it’s been a bit of an obsession. But now that I’ve painted a dozen things, my creative spirit has been fed. So I can move on in a non-obsessed way. We’ve been slowly adding more (happy, fun, lively) color into our home since the first part of 2009. And with that color, WHITE has been the new favorite neutral around here. Not off-white or cream or “Arizona White”. Crisp, clean, bright white.

And so today, I want to share this “painting kick” with you in case it might inspire you to paint something too. Not everything, but something. Think of something you have in your house that needs a fresh update. Something that could use a splash of color.

This is what you can pick up at your local hardware store. Rust-Oleum. We even got a few cans on amazon.com because there were a few more color options there.

Gather what you want to paint. You can work with just about any surface. And of course figure out what the perfect color(s) will be for your object(s).

Find a place outside to work on your project. I’ll emphasize that you need to do this OUTSIDE. Spray-paint goes everywhere, in it’s microscopic ways, no matter how small the item that you’re painting. Use a tarp, painting canvas sheet, newspaper, whatever.

Just as you need to prep before painting on other things (like the walls in your home), you need to prep certain pieces. For this piece, the lid didn’t need to be prepped (other than using a damp cloth to clean off any dust), but the main jar piece did. I used packaging tape and paper towels to ensure that the glass wouldn’t get paint on it.

And then … you shake that can of spray-paint and go to town. Allow for drying time before you bring it back inside the house. And when you bring it in, oooh-la-la. You have yourself a new, fun piece for your home! (Or in this case, something I painted for my friend’s home.)

I had a couple of these fun, thick, textured frames that were brown. Love the frames, but the brown had to go. We just had too much brown and it was time for a crisp white.

As for those 2 frames, I put some scrapbook paper in them instead of photos (we have plenty of photos around here) … and they hang in our guest room.

Some other things that I attacked in the past few months … this shelf & the star were both darker, grungy colors.

This wire basket used to be brown.

This mirror used to be burgundy (reddish) and gold.

You saw this mirror at the top of this post. Used to be brown.

If the spray-paint leaves your piece looking a little “flat” you can always distress it or something. This is something you can pick up at the craft store, too. It’s with the gold-leafing stuff.

You can dip your finger in the little container or use a stencil brush.

For this frame I did just the right half with the gold distressing. You can see how it just emphasizes the texture and adds a little interest. I’ve only done this on a few pieces, not everything. Just something to think about.

Here’s another frame that I hit with a little bit of the same stuff, but the Pewter color.

Okay, now that you’ve made it through the longest blog post I’ve probably ever done (well, the most pictures, anyway) … I hope you’re inspired to paint something. Just one thing. Here is my TOP 5 REASONS TO SPRAY-PAINT SOMETHING:

5. It’s quick. Shake a can, point it at your object, and spray. Pretty simple stuff.

4. It’s fun. Seriously. Just try it and you’ll see what I mean.

3. It’s cheap. At about $4 a can, you can splash color into your home on a serious budget.

2. It’s resourceful. You can totally take something you already have and bring it to life again (instead of buying something new).

1. It’s creative. The simple task of spray-painting is going to make you feel like an artist. It’s a total “I-can-do-this” feeling, which means your kids may want to join in the fun, too.

Now go on. Look around your house. What could use a shiny new layer of color and shine? Hmm? And who do you want to share this with? Think of that friend, that neighbor, that sister-in-law, that teenager … somebody who could use a little pick-me-up with a simple, fun activity like this. Go on and tell them about it.

I’m thankful for a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast yesterday with my husband’s family. I tried a new recipe for sweet potatoes and I am quite certain I’ll be making this again and again. Recipe posted here.

I’m thankful that David makes the best buttermilk pancakes ever. And I love knowing that he thinks I “mess them up” and so he has to make them. Sa-weet.

I’m thankful for little pieces of evidence that my kids leave all over the place.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m thankful for being in the middle of preparing the deviled eggs for our family dinner party today. Every time I make these I think of my mom. So thankful for every little thing I’ve learned from her in the kitchen. Click here for the recipe (12.17.07 post).

I’m thankful for how the very sight and sounds of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on the TV makes me feel a little weepy. Those feelings are associated with so many fond Thanksgiving memories. I’m thankful for a happy childhood and a happy life full of warm holiday traditions and memories.

I’m thankful for you, my faithful blog readers.

And … I’m thankful that I’ve been off the computer all morning and I’ll be off the computer for the rest of the day.

Gift-giving is on most of our minds right now. I’d like to offer a suggestion, or rather, a shameless plug. : )

Project Life is an awesome gift. Why such awesome-ness? Because it’s a solution. It saves time. It’s the non-scrapbookers’ way to create a scrapbook without scrapbooking. It’s the scrapbookers’ way of getting back on track to do something with their photos instead of letting months and years go by, feeling “behind” and guilty. And … it’s the right price.

The actual Project Life kit will not be under anyone’s Christmas tree this coming month. It’s simply not possible. BUT. It’ll arrive just a little after. I’m pretty sure that the recipient(s) of your choice will still be stoked to know that Project Life will be arriving at their front door a week or two later.

So this is what you can do: Print this picture and put it in an envelope or wrap it up in a small package. Print this JPG just like you would print any digital picture, whether on your regular printer, a photo printer, or at a photo-printing shop. Here’s a 4″ x 6″ and a 5″ x 7″ so you can choose your print size.

4″ x 6″:

5″ x 7″:

Hope this helps with your holiday shopping. Go HERE for all Project Life details & ordering.

I am thankful for these. For feeling completely creative as I transform a picture frame or shelf or some other object in our home by changing its color. Definitely more on this very soon. You have to try it!

I am thankful for shoes that are both cute and comfortable … and the fact that I paid $12 for them. Score.

I am thankful for medicine and well-being. For the ability to fight illness through modern science and technology.

I am thankful for the fact that changing diapers in this same spot every day is, well — just that. A part of my life. My every day world. This scene is a reminder to me of the miracle that it is to have sweet, healthy children. No one should take that for granted.

Oh, and for SURE I’m thankful for disposable gloves. Handling raw meat, changing a nasty diaper, random painting projects … you name it. I use them daily.

I am thankful for the chore of doing the dishes. Because seeing this mess reminds me that we have food to eat — plenty of food — every day. And running water and electricity to get those dishes clean. And loved ones to join us for a meal once in a while.

I am thankful for these anti-bacterial hand soaps from Bath & Body. You’ll find them at every single sink in our home. And I’m thankful they go on sale once in a while because that’s the only time I buy them.

Q: Is there any way to get close-ups/better views of kit contents?

A: Done. Check it out now, and you’ll see how you can click & enlarge each individual image for a closer view.

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Q: I thought I would get an email confirmation when I placed my order, but haven’t received anything? Maybe my order didn’t go through?

A: Check your SPAM or junk box and make sure it didn’t go there. If you don’t see a confirmation email there, email customerservice@beckyhiggins.com with the name on your order and an order # if you have it.

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Q: How come there are only 360 daily cards to write on? I know there are the bi-fold cards too, but I really like writing on the smaller cards for P365. I’m afraid I’m going to run out.

A: In an entire year, I am positive that you will have at least a small handful of days that you’ll need more room than a small journaling block. Take it as a challenge, on occasion, to write down more than a couple of sentences. You’ll appreciate having the bi-fold cards (which allow for 4 times as much space for journaling). Trust me.

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Q: Did I miss when the kit is shipping?

A: The products are being shipped from overseas and we never can tell if there will be delays in customs. That said, we are on track to get these shipped out around the end of December, but are not able to pinpoint an exact date at this time. As always, I will share any and all updates here on my blog.

Hoping to give this as a gift for Christmas? No problem. I’ll be sharing a JPG that you can print and put under the tree. Stay tuned. That’s coming up.

Happy Week of Thanksgiving! Even if you’re one of our international friends and not really celebrating this U.S. holiday, let’s each make this week focused on personal thanksgiving and gratitude for our blessings. If you’ve been taking a picture-a-day with me this year and you’d like to join me in a little assignment, I challenge you to make every single one of your daily pictures this week something specific that you are thankful for.

Each day that I post this week, I will share something(s) that I’m thankful for. Something little & specific.

I am thankful for my children’s art and how they so enthusiastically express themselves every single day in this format.

I am thankful for opportunities to teach my children … and learn from them. With each frustrating moment of feeling tested, I am reminded that life, after all, is a test. How will I react to their mistakes? As I react or respond, will they know that I absolutely love them unconditionally in my tone and body language? I am thankful that our kids are so patient with me, and that they forgive so quickly and easily.

Yes, that is broken glass all over the kitchen floor because Claire wasn’t listening, and yes, I’m posting some Project Life FAQs today.

Thank you so very much for your sweet words of encouragement. I’m pleased to tell you that Claire is on her way home from the hospital (with David). Taking a ride around the floor was one of her highlights. I think that Sprinkles cupcake was one of my highlights. : )

Meanwhile, Crew and I were able to pop over to the school this afternoon to see Porter put his heart & soul into the Turkey Trot.

Feeling incredibly grateful for my sweet family. We’re going to get back into the swing of things and I’ll be posting lots of Q&A next week. Have a terrific weekend.