Saturday, August 17, 2013

The Winner is...

The winner for my "packing/moving" giveaway is...
(Please email me your address for the pack of paper.)

Blogger 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:)
Thanks for all the tips, I'm actually using several of them right now while I am packing! As I'm packing I'm realizing that I have too much furniture for my new house, since we are downsizing, so if you are from Springfield, MO  and in need of a queen size mattress set, and queen size bed as well as some nice chairs and table please check out my FB page .Here is the link: Nikki Sivils  
I have a few pictures of my new house and wanted to share them with you.

Love my front porch! 
The backyard is pretty big and has a nice place for a fire pit which will 
be fun this fall to have family and friends over!

Hope you are having a great weekend!
Back to packing!!


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!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

July, Really!!

It can't be July 2nd!! Didn't Summer just get started? 
Anyone have any great summer vacations or plans for this month?
We have a few little weekender trips coming up and have thought about taking our 
5th wheel up north to Montana for a week, but no firm plans yet. 
It has been a busy summer, like all summers are, I guess! 
I got to do a little babysitting of my new niece, Emrie Lee Hilton.
Its hard to get her away from her parents, LOL... they really seem to like her!
Love those baby toes sticking up from the seatbelt! She's so sweet and all
girlie! Love her!
I came down with a horrible virus and had to be hospitalized for 
6 days! Yes, 6 days! It was awful, thought I'd never stop throwing up.
I'm feeling much better now, have to take it easy and my tummy seems to be a
bit weak still but my doctor thinks that's really normal after such a monster of a virus!
Good news is that once I was home from the hospital we've had very cool
temps for the midwest! Normally this time of the year you can't be outside unless 
you are near a pool or lake. We have no humidity, which in its self is nuts and the evenings are
in the 50's. If only we could have this for the entire summer, but it will end next week so I'm enjoying 
every single second I can right now!  
We went to Memphis for a weekend to go to Graceland (I'm a huge Elvis fan).
Stayed at a Graceland RV resort, and every street was named after an Elvis song, so fun.
Loved this parking sign at the rv park! Everything was Elvis, and so fun. I have to admit this was
my 4th trip to Graceland, but my hubby had never gone so I managed to talk him into it and 
he couldn't even believe all the Elvis stuff. It was a good trip and Dan actually enjoyed it,
but as I left I realized this was most likely my last trip to Graceland! No one else to talk
into going! LOL!! 
I had to share this picture of Bella-Bella! We took all four of the dogs to Memphis
with us and this is Bella being well, Bella! Pretty much letting me know that her
dad and her have a good thing going on the table in our 5th wheel and doesn't need me to
interfere with them. She's totally telling me to back off with her look and stance. 
I did, I left them alone even though I know she shouldn't have been on the table. 
Sometimes we pick our battles and this one I just let go of. 

I wanted to share this layout with you all created by: 
Adri du Preez from South Africa. She did such a lovely layout
with my It's Raining, It's Pouring collection. 
Love all the little details Adri put into this layout. 

Hope you have a great and safe 4th of July!! 


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Oh how I love Spring....

It seems like we live outside in the Springtime here at our house! 
Start our day with coffee on the back porch and end our day walking the pups outside. 
Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year! 
In fact Dan took a picture of Bella helping me blog early this morning...
 I swear Bella doesn't take a bad pic! 

We've had a really rough last week around here, Dan's mom had a stroke
on Mother's Day (a week from today) and it was a bad one. She's been moved 
to a full rehab hospital and they are awesome! All the nurses and therapist are 
upbeat an fantastic, we are so luck to have her there. 
She has a long road ahead of her and it will take time and patients but we
all know she can do it! 
I've had a handful of people send me a link to this video and honestly
everyone should watch it so you will know if you or someone you love
is having a stroke, even if your loved one has had a stroke, you should watch it,
so you will know exactly what they might have gone through. 
Jill Bolte is the speaker in this video and she had a stroke and tells the
story of herself having the actual stroke.
Her is the link to her video on Ted 
(Ted is awesome place to watch great speakers):

If you watch her video and want more info here is the book she wrote, 
we are reading it too. Trying to get as much insight to what my MIL went 
through and what she will go through too. 
We ordered our copy on Amazon

We appreciate all the prayers and love sent her way! 
Have a great Sunday!


Sunday, March 24, 2013

SPRING CLEANING CLEARANCE SALE!!

SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!!
GET YOUR SPRING WAREHOUSE BOX NOW!
(BEFORE THE BUNNY DRIVES AWAY WITH THEM ALL!)
THE BOX IS PACKED WITH ALL SPRING AND SUMMER COLLECTION KITS, COORDINATING STICKERS, PUNCH-OUTS/ DIE CUTS, AND EMBELLISHMENTS!
**Everything in this box will be different from the Winter Box Sale!**
(No repeat items!!)

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE PER BOX IS: $150.00

ALL YOURS FOR: 
$38.50 
(INCLUDES SHIPPING FOR USA)
SOLD OUT!

SOLD OUT!
*PayPal automatically sends the buyer an email to confirm all orders. If you didn't receive confirmation email after ordering, then you may have your PayPal notifications turned off in your profile settings or your inbox may be full.   
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(If you live outside the USA please email me (nikki@nikkisivils.com) your address and I can give you a shipping price, most USPS flat-rate shipping prices are $39.50 and up.)
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What you'll get in your box:
12- full collection kits for spring and summer 
(including: 2 sheets of all the pattern papers) 
stickers
die-cuts
 6x6 mini pad of papers
pocket of treats stickers
burlap buttons
journaling tag sheets
chipboard mini albums
bread-tab
(random extra's from open stock product)

Shipping Will Start on or before April 15th!

Here are a few of the collections that WILL be in in YOUR BOX:
SOLD OUT!
(Plus 6 more Spring and Summer collection kits!) 

Don't Forget:
*Shipping Will Start on or before April 15th!*
SOLD OUT!
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Have a great Day!!




Thursday, March 21, 2013

Cuteness Overload...

I feel like its been forever since I've blogged! 
I believe it has been a month now, oops! 
We've had some crazy and exciting things going on around here...
We are selling our house, I've wanted to down-size for some time now, and in a little over a year we will be "empty-nesters"! Now, how crazy is that!!! I'd love a one level home and we've found some really cute houses that would be perfect for us but waiting to sell our house first. It's only been on the market for about 10 days and we have two families that are really interested in it, so we will see.
Henry is going to state in debate, we are very happy for him. Also he's started looking for a summer job since school will be out in a couple of months. Can't believe the school year is almost over. 
The dogs are all good, even little Alfred who was near death in December has bounced back and is healthy as a 13 yr old pup can be. 
Here are a few pictures from the last month...
Bella all cozy in her sack.
My Nephew, Noah is getting so big and comes over to visit all the time.
I've really been into making homemade, healthy pizzas lately. 
Took my niece, Alex out for mani's and Pedi's during spring break.
Henry's "State" trophy for debate. 
Vet check-ups for Savannah, Nico and Bella! 
(Everyone is healthy.)
Well, my niece, Taylor HAD long, all one length hair until she decided to "trim" it up for her mom!
She's a cutie no matter what though and she has a really cute haircut now all short and sporty!
(This picture was take just minutes after the "trim" took place.)  
My nephew, Jacob, loves birthday parties but thinks they are always for him! We had
3 family birthdays in February and none of them were for him but he doesn't know that! 
He's so sweet!
The twins, Max & Mollie, are 4 now and finished playing soccer this winter, which by the way was so much fun to watch! Seriously!! 
Lots of little ones running in and out of our home and we love it! 
Wouldn't want it any other way! 
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I have opened an Etsy shop and would love for you to check it out! 
I'm adding things here and there and it will change as I go and as I sell product. 
I went to several consumer shows last year and had a lot of pre-kitted
product that I wanted to sell as well as projects and soon I'll have finished products that 
have been in my booth at CHA trade-shows that I need to find homes for too. I'm waiting for a 
good day to take pictures of the finished products since it seems all we have these days are
 gloomy, rainy days. 
Click here to visit my shop!

Here's a little inspiration with my "Get Well Soon" collection.
Layout by: Stephanie Dang
(Here is her blog if you want to see more of her great work: http://www.paperandi.blogspot.com)




Have a great rest of the week!! 


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