Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Packing 101... a GIVEAWAY too!

I know what you are thinking, packing, really, its not rocket science! And you would
be right, its not but I'm a super crazy, organizing, make an outline, for a big event kind of gal!
I was showing my mom, sister and telling my massage therapist, about my packing an all
three said you should blog about it! Now, they all could have wanted me to blog about it to show everyone my craziness or what if, maybe one tip helped someone else then it would be worth it! Right!
Then I thought I'll host a nice giveaway because if I could learn one thing
that might save me a bit more time then that would be even better! 
Lets get started!! 
Yep... it sold, so now its packing time!!
We close the end of the month and move into our new home just a couple of days before we close on this house. Because I'm so high strung and LOVE to organize I decided to sit down
 and start a list of how long I thought each room would take to pack, then
counted the days until the move and came up with a packing schedule. 
I know, its crazy but this is how I have to work and also it makes sense to me, 
this way I'm not packing all day and night for 4 days straight until I move.
 I can enjoy the process, well, as much as you can enjoy packing! 
This is my schedule, leaving certain rooms that are large and have more items 
in them for more days. Week 1, went great, I stayed on schedule and was able to
work my "real" job a bit and enjoy life too. I would suggest this method to
anyone that has to juggle several things at once, it will make your life easier. I promise.  
Before I started packing last week I got one of my old crates and 
made a supply box so that all my things are together in one place and I can just
pick up that box be on my way to the next room. 
What's in my old wooded crate, you ask?
Well, a super duty tape gun, I have several because of my business, when in the business of shipping they are a must but you can get cheaper tape guns at office supply stores.
 I have Zip Lock bags, for the little things that need to be packed but have several pieces to them, example: throw the cords to electronics into the bags then tape the bag to the the machine it belongs too, now nothing is lost during the move. I also collect all the nails for picture frames hung on the wall too so they are all together in one spot. You won't believe how much you'll use these little bags, more than you think! 
A tape measure, I pre-measure larger pieces of furniture then with masking take write the measurements of that piece and tape it on the furniture. This is so when you are moving it in and the movers or you don't think it will fit well you have the measurements written down on the furniture so now you just have to measure where in the new place it might go. It will just save a little extra time on moving day. 
Next, I have small post-its and pens for notes you need to leave or a reminder to get something at the store later that day, so you don't forget scribble it down and then you can keep packing too. It will be amazing what your mind comes up with and remembers and forgets all at one time during packing. 
Masking and duct tape are for labeling things, scissors (a must have too) and the good ole' Sharpie! A must have is a good black Sharpie!! 
A trash bag, for all the crap you find that needs to be thrown away and newspaper too for packing breakables. 
Lastly a barstool, you heard me right, a barstool. This is so you don't injury your back or like me, who has a really bad back already, I don't further damage it. I put the box I'm packing on the barstool or a regular table chair, that way I'm not bending over at the waist killing my back. My barstool and chair are a necessity!  
My next tip: label your boxes with the room in your new home it will belong too. On moving day label each room in the new house; so that each box will go to the correct room, then save an area in your home or garage that the "IDK" (I don't know) boxes will go.
I did this my last move and even the movers told me that they wish everyone did this as its so nice to have labels on the box to match the room it goes too. I have labels for master bedroom, bedroom #1 and bedroom #2, also if a room is painted, say its a pink room in the new house, then label it pink bedroom instead of #1 or #2, this makes it even easier for the guys that are moving you.  Also, and this takes a bit more time but if you've scheduled yourself enough time this shouldn't be an issue, under the label of the room the box will go too, put a general description of what is in that box. That way on moving day you can find your toothbrush, heating pad and PJs then fall into bed! No really this is a great tip I got from a friend that was moving and its true, you will need that one thing, once you’ve moved in, and have no clue where is it so instead of ripping open every box you have that's packed you can simple read the contents and move on to the next, plus it should be in the correct room so that makes it even easier! 
More on labels: I also put the room, that box belongs in, on all four side of the box. This way if a box doesn't get in the correct room (and several will) and you are searching for it, you see it… “hall bathroom box” in the middle of all the boxes that are stacked up to the ceiling in your living room, you don't have to pull out to see if its the "missing" box because it is labeled on all four sides! You will pat yourself on the back for this simple tip once your are in the new house, exhausted and can't find that damn muscle cream for all those sore places from the move!!  

I would, and do have, several plastic tubs labeled:
-clothes donations 
and another one labeled
-garage sale
These go from room to room with me too. This makes the move 
easier, that way you are clearing out the old and don't have to do this at the
new place, it will be done and you'll be happy you did it before the move.
That's all the tips I have! 
What tip(s) do you have for me?
Would you like to win a pack of scrapbook paper? 
If so leave me a comment or packing tip about moving and I'll draw a random winner Saturday the 17th, you'll need to check back to see if your the winner then email me your shipping address and I'll send you a box of scrapbook paper and goodies!!  

I can't have a blog post without a couple of dog pictures...
Bella asleep on my my heating pad, she loves that heating pad! 
My big boy, Nico, waiting for me to come to bed! 


Have a great day!

25 comments:

Genevive said...

hi Nikki! i love packing... so much :)) love to organize a lot... my tip? color code your boxes/labels... for example all scrapbooking stuff will be labeled with pink paper... all clothes blue.. etc...

hope i win your giveaway! :))

Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom said...

that duct tape comes in colors -- you can buy to match your room and tape it around all 4 sides. Saves you from writing and it is color coded.

Unknown said...

I do the same thing with the zip bags labeling the boxes! I love to be organized too! We are moving tomorrow and closing on 8-16.
We have small vacation house we are renting and our new house will be ready in Nov.
Congrats on selling your home.
Love all the tips.
My tip transfer all the utilities a week in advance, and have snacks and drinks handy at both locations so you have something to eat while you are moving and unpacking. Please dont add me to the giveaway I bought one of your recent warehouse and would love someone else a chance to win. I love your products and when we get settled I will have more time to create with it! Having the house on the market took a lot of time keeping the house in perfection shape for all the house tours, therefore I did not scrap much! Hope the move all goes well for you!

kathy said...

I really don't have any good ideas for you. Although I am not moving and that would scare me. I have been in my home for 20 yrs and just wouldn't know where to start. I am going to utilize your labeling method for the attic, seems every time I need something it is a process to find it up there. I went out and bought new summer clothes for the 10 yr old only to find a box a few weeks ago with her sizes. Now she had too much so we donated some. lol

Doreen Vasquez said...

Sorry no tips...actually your blog post exhausted me, LOL!
I refuse to move as it is such a hurrendous activity! That's why I hav ebeen in my "starter home" for over 12 years now!

Peggy Sue said...

great idea about the furniture measurements! I would say to donate or have a garage sale before moving would be a good idea. Especially since my husband thinks that if we ever move, it ALL will come with-no way! Congrats on the new house!

Vicki and Don said...

Love the tips! I've used them all in the past! :-) I'm also OCD and super organized when packing! The only other tip I have is when labeling your boxes you might want to be careful about what you list (for an example - a jewelry box). Give it a name that you'd recognize but someone else might not!

Jamie Ragan said...

We moved last year & it was a nightmare. Not my favorite thing to do! I do love all sizes of zip-loc bags--I just use them constantly!
2 quick moving tips--
#1--when you are packing be concerned with how heavy you are getting the box... 8-)
#2--put all the remote controls in your purse--ie: keep them with you!
ciao for now!!

sskcraftshop @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes said...

We moved 3 years ago..I can only tell you is to use different color packaging tape on boxes for a particular room..that helps a lot to figure out which box goes in which room and saves time.

hla2425 said...

Congrats on the new house:)

We moved about 2 years ago and what a job.... but we did downsize a bit -- not my craft room but elsewhere.

Make sure you know where all your chargers are:)


Kelly Massman said...

Congrats! Make sure you label the box well and keep out an "emergency kit with things you use every day" in case you can't put your hands on that must have box right away! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Nikki, You cant forget your babies.. Make sure all toys, dog food and collars, beds,, etc. Make sure they are in the car not packed in the truck for moving... Maybe put them in the camper for ease to find. One place that the dogs will feel safe. It will be familiar to them and not so stressful. :)
Dottie Stuart
dottie_kansas@yahoo.com

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I am such an organized packer too! Another thing in common with the Boss Lady! *wink* I call my tape/markers/scissors in my 'staging area' ... and if someone removes something from my staging area ... boy are they in trouble! LOL!!

Beatrice Lawson said...

I have moved so many times (including overseas) that I organize too! I actually keep a master list of boxes on my iPad (old days paper was fine too) and always keep a "to open first" box that has the pj's, toothbrush, cell charger etc so I have it handy first thing. Good luck with the move and ice your back:-)

sharon g said...

My packing hint is: do as much as possible as soon as possible, and don't do it all yourself. I have a lot more hints, but they may only be relevant to situations like ours, which was an absolute nightmare that I won't go into. I hope that you love your new home!

sharon dot gullikson at gmail dot com

Renae said...

I would add to your supply list a screw driver, hammer, and wrench to help you disassemble things before packing. Keep them in a must have first two open box so you can assemble your bed.

rpcrafter at gmail dot com

Elisabeth B said...

Fabulous tips
One more for moving long distance
I kept an excel file with different tabs.
On the first one I kept a running number with the boxes their destination and the content. When 2 got lost, we were able to sort this with the moving company immediately.
Thanks for the chance to win!

Kim B. said...

I don't have any packing tips because I did it all wrong last time I moved!! I lost my coffee pot for ever and formed a Starbucks addiction til I found it several weeks later. Man I wish I had thought to be as organized as you!! Maybe you should have an organization part of your blog!!!! Good luck and I hope it all goes smooth!!!

Kimberli said...

I don't have any tips because I despise moving...so maybe mine would be to hire a packing/moving company! :) But really, your post was very helpful with so many great tips to make moving easier - thanks!

eunice said...

Post-It also makes colored sticky papers. Make the different rooms different colors. Or, what I did last time was label in one color if it could store in the garage long-term (we were temporarily down-sizing), a different color if it was fragile, and a different color if it could just go into the apartment. On the label I wrote the name of the room it belonged in

Melinda AKA medialady said...

It's been 20 years since we moved into this house so I know it will be a job to move again. My one tip is buy lots of sharpie markers!!! They are great for writing on boxes!

Chantal Vandenberg said...

Congrats on your new home! My top tip would be to give lots of stuff to the Salvos or have a garage sale / sell at the flea markets so you aren't moving stuff you don't need anymore! :)

Anne S said...

My tip while unpacking is to take a group pic of the items before dispersing them to their new location. That way you have an inventory of your personal items for insurance purposes in the event of a fire or another disaster! Be sure to save pics on a flash drive or CD somewhere safe.

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