Well, I can’t contain my excitement anymore…and there is a little something-something up now on the website www.creativeescapeaz.com , so I feel like I can **officially, non-officially** talk about it!! there has been some little rumblings about it… and we have gotten a bunch of emails as a result of an Arizona Republic article that was published here locally about me, tim holz and terri ouellette (thanks again Kathy, for such a great piece!) .. so I may as well dish! Last fall I got talking to Doug Jones… who, if you know him, you know he is an absolute delight…Doug is the owner of bazzill basics paper … they are local here in mesa as well… and we were talking about how fun it would be to put an event together here on our turf! And AZ is such an awesome place to visit… awesome sb stores, other stamp, ribbon and inspiration stores… We thought it would be so fun to pull from the fabulous local teachers and create a ‘dream’ event! As we met, we all had different suggestions and thoughts that would make it a truly amazing weekend! Finally, after about 2 months and tossing around ideas, touring venues and talking numbers… we all committed to making it HAPPEN! i can’t get over how amazing the bazzill team is. They have been so awesome to work with! that company is a total class act. we have, quite frankly, been having a BLAST planning… (I am like giddy excited)!!!! I don’t think it can qualify as ‘event’ planning… it’s totally PARTY planning! and it’s worked out so perfect… with the baby coming only 3 weeks before the event, traveling is not going to be in the cards for awhile… so you can all come and visit ME! Meet the new little ball of inspiration! And take some seriously awesome classes… here are some sneak peeks at the resort… 
we wanted it at some place really beautiful! This is the Squaw Peak Hilton Resort… it’s in Phoenix… and it’s like totally established, beautifully renovated and has a killer convention center with the perfect number of the perfect sized rooms for our needs! It’s got 8 pools, huge grounds, golf course etc.. (not that we’ll really have time for that, but fun to look at).
--this big, main pool has water slides and one of those lazy rivers...there is a kids camp thing... so i think that i will bring the kiddos for the weekend! they will love it!
(the rooms all open to these lush courtyards, or beautiful pools and fountains!) - um, this is not what arizona looks like in my backyard...
it must require serious gardners to achieve this in AZ!
Emily and I went there yesterday for our own look around and took these shots. We each got “salt scrub sea glow” body treatments at the spa. I don’t care where or when, a spa treatment MAKES YOUR DAY!
We had a tour of all the conf. center and rooms and I was thrilled to learn that all the beds are upgraded to those comfy pillow top cozy beds. I LOVE THAT!
(this is a look at the entrance to the conference center!)
Ok, I am not going to spill all the beans. The site will be up on the 15th. We’ll introduce the teachers, schedule, cost blah blah blah. For now… talk to your friends, arrange babysitting, tell your husband you have to allocate a portion of your tax refund to your ‘creative escape’…. I will tell you this.. the food (all of it’s included in the cost) is going to so yummy. I tasted a bunch of stuff yesterday, met the cook staff and I was so impressed. (whew, what a relief!) … I love telling secrets!
Oh drive us crazy why don't you!@@#*** - especially a girl from NZ - please please please say it is going to be in September... I'm coming to the states then and as they say... when in the neighbourhood!!!!
Posted by: sarah green | March 01, 2006 at 06:50 PM
i live in anthem...i will be there! we had a christmas party at that resort and it is awesome!! can't wait...
Posted by: kris | March 01, 2006 at 07:10 PM
OHHH Heidi,
I am From Australia, how on earth can I get my DH it agree to this one. I so wish i could be there. Good luck with it all... I will be there in spirit.
Xoxo
Posted by: Sarah | March 01, 2006 at 07:11 PM
AAAAaaahhhh! I sooo want to come to this, Heidi...I'm sure it will be amazing! Can't wait to hear more on the 15th...I'm already working on my hubby to let me go!!
Talia:)
Posted by: Talia | March 01, 2006 at 07:14 PM
OMG! You are heaven sent! This idea of yours is awesome! I am definitely going to sign up for this little retreat! Scrapbookign and spa....what can be better? I am looking forward to learning from you as well as other designers. This will truely be amazing.
Posted by: Sally | March 01, 2006 at 07:31 PM
I would so LOVE to do this... I just know with you involved it will be a really awesome experience!
WOW!
Hugs,
Dana
Posted by: Dana Miron | March 01, 2006 at 07:32 PM
Soo excited to see what this retreat will have to offer. =0) I HATE TRAVELLING. You have no idea how much I HATE to travel! I haven't been on a plane since 2001 and that was for CKU. I only travel if it is for a good cause. And you, Miss Heidi, are a good cause.. and because the retreat will be on the west coast. lol...
Posted by: Ksea | March 01, 2006 at 08:02 PM
Count me in...It will give me a reason to go visit my in laws in AZ and maybe even talk my husband into letting me go so he can visit family. I have it all worked out, We will come in a few days early visit the folks, he go do whatever it is he does and I will go do what I do....SCRAPBOOK!!!
Sounds awesome!!!
Kim Bolyard
Posted by: Kim Bolyard | March 01, 2006 at 08:05 PM
Oh my gosh, I am from Vancouver, BC Canada and some how I have got to figure out a way to make it there. It sounds like such a good idea, I'm sure I can convince my hubby to let me go. I was supposed to go on the cruise for my b-day but unfortunately that got cancelled so this is the best make up birthday gift ever!! Can't wait for the details!!!!
Posted by: Kelly Angell | March 01, 2006 at 08:06 PM
I am so coming to this! My brother is on a mission in Tempe right now and gets home in June, so I'm sure he'd love to give me tips on people to meet as well. Tons of friends and relatives in AZ, and the chance to meet the fantastic Heidi...a dream come true! Great ideas, can't wait for all the info!
Posted by: Karli | March 01, 2006 at 08:25 PM
I grew up in Arizona and still have lots of family there! I lived in Apache Junction and there are still lots of people I talk to so coming to this retreat would be AWESOME!!! Thanks Heidi!!
Posted by: Shawn Gindt | March 01, 2006 at 08:30 PM
YaY! I cant wait to hear more details! Im not too far away over in NV!
Thanks!!!!!
Posted by: Sonia | March 01, 2006 at 08:34 PM
OHHHH yahhh , that's what I'm talking about...
Just called the gals, that I was gonna go to Az with in April, and canceled that trip, so we can do this one.
Now, No going in to labor EARLY!!!
Can't wait for this one , Heidi. Fun Fun
hugs,
Helle in Coronado
Posted by: Helle Greer | March 01, 2006 at 08:40 PM
This sounds and looks amazing!!!! I am so going to be there! I can't wait to hear more details about it on the 15th!
Posted by: Kim | March 01, 2006 at 08:51 PM
ohh can't wait - so glad i live here in mesa ! sounds like a blast !!
Posted by: beth | March 01, 2006 at 09:08 PM
So Excited! I'm in North Scottsdale and was just having a pitty party that nothing seems to go on creatively out this way! Yeah!! I'll be there for sure!
Posted by: Carie | March 01, 2006 at 09:14 PM
I AM SO THERE.......
So lucky to have some free SW tickets from all of hubby's traveling. I will repeat...
I AM SO THERE!!!!! Can't wait to see the details!!!!!
Posted by: sherrivonl | March 01, 2006 at 09:17 PM
This sounds amazing! I can't wait to see more info about and I hope I can attend!
Posted by: Vee | March 01, 2006 at 09:18 PM
GIRL!!! I am so excited I just about peed in my panties! AAAAAAHHHHHH! FINALLY a venue in Phoenix, in the same valley that I reside in, one that I can actually attend! This so rocks and I haven't even finshed reading your post. All I needed to see was Bazzill, HKS, & phoenix in the same sentence. I need to lay down now. Count me in!
Posted by: Jessica K. | March 01, 2006 at 09:36 PM
How totally cool!!! I can't wait to see the cost and such on the 15th. Bazzill is my favorite and it will be during my vacation time too!!!! I hope to see you there.
Posted by: Chris R | March 01, 2006 at 10:15 PM
oooooooooooooooh......I am there Heidi!!! Yippee!
Posted by: Shanna | March 01, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Oh my gosh!! Could you at least give us dates so we could aske for vacation time!!! I want to be there. I have to be there!!!!
Posted by: marlo | March 01, 2006 at 11:25 PM
YES, YES, YES. I am emailing this too all my friends. We wanted to go somewhere this year, and this sounds awesome!!!! I love the spa. Ok I am from Prince George, BC Canada so I will have to make a few plane rides, but it is possible. Can't wait to hear more. I knew you were "UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!!!!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Pandolfo | March 02, 2006 at 12:18 AM
Oh my gosh with all the snow on the ground here today, that just looks heavenly. I've never left the northern part of the continent so I've only dreampt of places so beautiful to visit. Totally bummed that I totally won't be able to go. Hubby is paying for me to go to CKU Provo this year so I think I've maxed out my travel budget. But oh my god this looks so good....so unfair. What's the chances you'll be doing this again next year???
Annette
Posted by: annette | March 02, 2006 at 12:33 AM
That sounds like such a blast! I'll come TA for someone k. ;)
Posted by: Loni | March 02, 2006 at 03:36 AM