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!
my SOUL needs this! sounds perfect! i would dream to come!
-p
Posted by: patty | March 02, 2006 at 08:15 AM
oh that sounds so fun, exciting, heavenly, perfect! And registrations starts on my birthday and I only live 100 miles away!
Posted by: Happay | March 02, 2006 at 09:43 AM
I live in Mesa, AZ and will be there for sure! You can't go wrong with Heidi Swap and The Jones family at Bazzill. They are awesome people. FINALLY something to look forward to! YAY!!! You totally made my day!
Posted by: Jolene George | March 02, 2006 at 09:58 AM
OMG! My in-laws LIVE at Pointe at Squaw Peak!!!!!! I am SO there. How perfect.... The Pointe is really a fun place- the water park is great.
My son can spend the weekend with his beloved grandparents and I can do what I love best- scrap with creative people.
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2006 at 10:23 AM
(PLEASE tell me that there will be the option to not have hotel, so that I can stay with the ILs and walk over to the classes.)
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2006 at 10:28 AM
How fun!! All my family is in Phoenix... I am going to do my best to get there!
Posted by: nicole | March 02, 2006 at 11:29 AM
Oh...what a bummer for us in California!!! That is the kids fist day of school. (I am pretty sure Arizona schools start in August) Any chance of changing the date to one week later?
Posted by: Wendy | March 02, 2006 at 11:43 AM
This sounds great! So hoping to be able to go. :)
Posted by: Alison P | March 02, 2006 at 12:35 PM
Sorry - one question...how many people will be able to attend?
Posted by: Alison P | March 02, 2006 at 12:37 PM
woot! i'm so there! ;D
Posted by: Kristin | March 02, 2006 at 12:48 PM
PLEASE say you're coming to Florida at some point. These sound excellent but I just don't want to travel that far with all my stuff!
Posted by: Carey | March 02, 2006 at 01:39 PM
Heidi your killing me!!!! The cruise you are on is during my middle child's birthday, and now the creative escape is the same time as my oldest daughter's birthday! OH WHAT A DILEMA!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angela | March 02, 2006 at 01:52 PM
OOOOOOooooo!
Posted by: Angelique | March 02, 2006 at 02:58 PM
oh WOW!!!!!! That looks amazing! I want to go so badly!
Hey, I saw something today that you might be interested in. Home Interiors has this really adorable glass and pitcher set that is pink. It is so YOU.
Posted by: Suzanne | March 02, 2006 at 03:33 PM
OMG I am so there!!! My hubby travels to AZ once a month for business. I miss going with him and taking classes at ML. Now I can do this!!! I am so excited. What a great idea. Leave it to you Heidi Swapp!! So cool.
Posted by: Pam | March 02, 2006 at 04:52 PM
Ok, so I forward this to DH at work today just to let him in on a dream holiday. He emails me back and said "book it"! I can't believe it! He's already been checking flights and it looks like we might make a family trip out of this. Can't wait!
Posted by: Jenn N | March 02, 2006 at 04:56 PM
I am so gonna be there. It sounds so fun!
Its perfect time for me.
Can't wait for more details!
Posted by: Heidi | March 02, 2006 at 05:46 PM
can i just be you for a day...please? looks beautiful there! but here i am stuck in dreary, slushy, wet, cold new york!
Posted by: maria newport | March 02, 2006 at 06:32 PM
My husband and I stayed there last summer for our anniversary! It is a very beautiful resort, wonderful choice!
Sarah
in AZ
Posted by: Sarah Scott | March 02, 2006 at 09:19 PM
This just happens to fall on my BIRTHDAY so am soooo going to be there! In fact, I have already made my hotel reservations. I am that sure that I will be there!
Teresa Wilkins
Arkansas girl
Posted by: Teresa Wilkins | March 02, 2006 at 09:50 PM
Ooooooo, this sounds like the perfect gift to myself for my 40th birthday later this year!!
Posted by: Jana | March 02, 2006 at 10:11 PM
Oh Heidi, what a great idea. I'm going to start asking around and see if anybody from the Great White North wants to go. I'm sure a lot would like to go, but of course, cost is always a factor.
Posted by: Terrie Moxam | March 03, 2006 at 09:35 PM
This sounds awesome! Another In-law visitor here. Can't wait to hear more!
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Barba | March 04, 2006 at 12:12 AM
What's it called? When is it? Where can I sign up? I'm a native. Heidi you're the best!!! 2 more thumbs up for Bazzill. I love their paper and their store. The kindness of the employees also stand out in this industry. Thanks for all your hard work.
Posted by: LenaS | March 04, 2006 at 05:05 PM
Hey girlie! Squaw peak's where we got hitched! Isn't is just amazing? Hmmm - perhaps I'll travel down for this one...let ya know!
Shay
Posted by: Shay | March 05, 2006 at 10:37 AM