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We took tons of pictures and we have them ready for you to look at, download, or print out.
Click here to see the work of Cat and Douglas – our official CE photographers.

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Dear CE Friends,

Every year, we get back from Creative Escape and dig out of the mess we have left behind, start writing thank you notes, ship back lost goods, mail out idea books to retailers… and the list goes on. It really doesn’t end for the Bazzill Team for another few weeks (would you believe we already had a meeting about registration for next year???). Thank God for Heidi’s recap. Every year she writes out all the thank yous, documents our memories, and puts into words how we all feel — Joyful and Tired!

Once again, I am stealing Heidi’s blog post. Enjoy!
Lisa

just a little recap… and by little i mean HUGE

… SO,
Finally on Tuesday afternoon we arrived in Phx just barely in time for my haircut… (yes, I am still emotionally attached to my Arizona hair stylist, and YES I went SHORTER!!) Wed was a set up day, and miss Janet arrived . I had Capri and Connor at the hotel and they got to meet a few of the ladies that were taking advantage of the Bazzill Bus tour. Seriously, those ladies were hauling around with a LOT of bazzill cardstock that they purchased by the pizza box when they went to the warehouse. (which reminds me… I really needed a Bazzill warehouse stop myself when I was driving my car!! I KNEW I forgot something)

Thursday morning was the real kick off! The place (wild horse pass) was a buzz with scrapbookers! So many familiar faces… it was so great to see everyone! the hotel is absolutely amazing—it’s just perfect for an ESCAPE! It just feels like you are entering a new world when you walk through the doors… the staff is remarkable! Every year! Janet and I were working on setting up the House of 3 Crop Room with 36” balloons that were holding up turquoise banners topped with doilies. So cute… Rhonna arrived about noon to wrap it up right as registration got underway…

The Creative Escape VIBE was a little different this year! SO sophisticated… and I LOVEd the turquoise… (almost teal really)… everything from the new bags, lanyards, name badges and every other little detail was just gorgeous!! so much goes into pulling it off… and this kudos goes to the Bazzill Team! They are relentless, and you have never met a group that works so well together. To Carol, Mona, Lisa and Frani… i would give you each a standing ovation! These women are so capable, talented and fabulous! Thank you each so much!

We always have a crazy busy Technique Boutique, but this year was over an above! I think that between making “yo-yos”, rolled flowers, Making Memories Necklaces and this amazingly fancy heart for Pam’s class OH, not to mention a full on class from Tattered Angels and Cookbookin’… it was a FULL afternoon that attendees needed to also make some time to come in and visit with the teachers in the Trunk show… to top off Thursday evening… the “BOYS” of Creative Escaped performed for everyone and definitely lit the crowd!! I have the video posted on my Facebook wall- so funny! Totally unexpected! During the welcome ceremonies… the teachers were presented with these amazingly sparkly aprons… I don’t think that any photo will do the fabric justice! I seriously felt like I was playing dress up all weekend while I was wearing my apron! Gorgeous! thanks to Scrapbooks ETC (and Michael Miller fabric).

After the welcome, if you had a little more brain power left, Jessica Sprague and Rhonna Farrer offered up a FREE digital brush class (free.99 as Jessica would say) and it was absolutely mind blowing as usual! 2 just fabulously amazing women!

I must say, that I was so proud of myself… because I went to bed before midnight! This was a HUGE achievement for me!

Both Friday and Sat are class days- 4 classes each day for each student… so everyone is pushed! Each teacher this year was SO unique and different in what she brought to the table! These are beautiful and talented women… I have been impressed with them for so many reasons, and I am so thankful to each one of them for all they did BEFORE the event… as well as at the EVENT! Each one of them has taught me and influenced me in a different and significant way!

Claudine was invited to come and teach a strictly TECHNIQUE based class. and I LOVED learning how to use her products in such unique ways.

Jessica was invited to inspire us, and introduce us to the POSSIBILITES! She created a pre-class that each person could take online and learn how to get 12 photos on one page, and create perfectly cropped circles… she they whipped up a clever HYBRID project that is perfect for the holidays!

Pam Black was one of the teachers from our very first year, and this is a woman that will amaze you every time! her desktop scrapbook was a super intense class, with all kinds of little WOWS that you can use over and over! I love that

Margie offered up her traditional comic relief! She is a crack up of course.. but everyone LOVED the personalized necklace they created in her class… the Scarlet Lime Beads were such a delight! I think that what was the most fun was that it didn’t have to be a wearable necklace, but could also be a home dec type fun necklace to put on display.

Teresa did what she does best… she created a mini book that showcased all the things she is grateful for. It’s full of TERESA! And she puts so much heart into all she does…and then blings it up!

Maggie is a photographer, but also an amazing scrapbooker… I think that it’s important to be reminded to WORK to get fabulous photos, and hearing good ideas and someone else’s perspective on photography just improves our skills! I had so many people coming to take my photo, and practicing their new skills and ideas.

Trisha LOVES to teach, and she is good at it! she created a very ambitious project because she just loves to share her ideas… and her passion. it’s just something that you can feel! She has been a glimmer mist lover from the beginning and it was so much fun to see what this girl does with a cardboard box!

My class was sponsored by my friends at House of 3 (me and Janet and Rhonna)…and since our products are digital for the most part, it meant that I had the chance to create whatever I wanted that was EXCLUSIVE to Creative Escape. I wanted something sweet and beautiful…I chose to use the Spring Junque Collection, and make something that would make a wonderful gift as well as something you’d love to have hanging where you could see it. I loved teaching it! (I always think it’s going to be much faster than it really is).

Friday night after dinner (a fabulous sit down dinner)… we had what we call the “Friday night Extravaganza” it’s an extra class where students got to make a Magnet board… by Friday night, everyone is so tired, but at 9:30, us House of 3 girls broadcast a LIVE WEBSHOW direct from the EVENT!! If you want to take a peek inside the event you can click here to see! It was so much fun, but I will tell you this- having 80 or 90 people in the ‘live studio audience’ made me SO nervous. I think you could tell I was nervous!

The ending is always the best part of Creative Escape.

And this year was no exception. not sure if it’s the fact that we just go ahead and eat DESSERT FIRST, or if it’s the tremendous generosity that is exhibited by the many, many sponsors that donate gifts for our raffles or the AMAZINGLY gorgeous and personal mirrors that were created to raise money for our Charity of choice: the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society… or the heartfelt and inspiring Keynote presentation that was given this year by a woman that amazes me … Jaimee Rose.

THANK YOU to the Wild Horse Pass… we love you!

THANK YOU to the sponsors… we love your products and all that you give and offer to the industry and just to US (speaking for crazy scrapbookers everywhere)

THANK YOU to each and every one of you that willingly decorated and donated your time and talents for the Mirror Project. I know a little something about the pressure! Wink… they were beautiful and inspiring to look at!

here is a peek at my mirror… i quite love it! taken w/ my phone.. (how lame am i?)

THANK YOU to Jaimee.. for making me think, and reflect and filling me with the desire to make magic!

And

THANK YOU BAZZILL…

DOUG for putting up with all of us! and bravely leading us, and for swimming in a synchronized way.

CAROL for all the things I know you did, and for the MILLION of things I don’t know you did! Thanks for keeping it real, and steady and happening!

MONA for making it look gorgeous!!

FRANI for your happy happiness… and always knowing where to get stuff, and where people are and taking care of whatever needs to happen!

LISA for everything ELSE!!! Cause you are the one responsible for everything whether it was up to you or not! You are just the person that makes SURE! And we love you for that… we all love you for that!

And…

EVERYONE THANKS MARTI and the on-site, amazing SCRAPBOOKS, ETC. it is really one of the best stores ever!! And scrapbookers just love to spend money on new stuff!

Side note: all I can say about the room drop gift is: OMGSH………..wow!

So it’s Wednesday now. And I am still feeling a little exhausted. It took a couple days to drive home and I find myself SO behind. Yikes. And while I am so tired, and feeling a little overwhelmed, it’s so worth it! so great to see old friends, make new ones, and be filled from the inside… be reminded WHY we spend so much time and energy scrapbooking… cause it is important and fabulous and FUN!

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Anyone tape Jaimee Rose, the Creative Escape keynote speaker, during the Saturday night closing ceremonies at Creative Escape? It seems the camera person forgot to hit RECORD. If you do, email: lisa@bazzillbasics.com. Let’s talk!

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CE Guests were wonderful about turning in items to the lost and found. Many things were returned to their rightful owners, but many things remained unclaimed. Melissa has volunteered to help you find your belongings and return the item safely to you. There is also an earring that isn’t in the photo. If you can describe it we will send it. Look at the photos carefully. If you see something you lost let Melissa know: melissa@bazzillbasics.com. We are tossing everything on October 1, so claim it soon!

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This is the last post before Creative Escape. We are heading off to the hotel to begin loading in pallets and pallets of kits and goodies. We are going to begin making everything ready for you. We can’t wait to see all our old and new friends…see you there!

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Be sure to visit the on-site scrapbook store to pick up your very own Creative Escape Embossing Folders. Provo Craft is offering these two exclusive designs to work perfectly on the album you are going to want to make when you get home. Check out the samples in the store for added inspiration. Only $9.99 for the set.

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We can’t wait for our time together. All the girls are wrapping raffle gifts, adding pretty tags, and finishing all the special touches. There is so much ephemera at Creative Escape. Keep it all and use it to document your special trip. Plan an album-making day with your girlfriends sometime in September when all the photos have been developed. Pull out all the goodies you saved, reminisce, and let the Creative Escape spirit continue on.

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Avoid headaches and all the other yucky things that come from dehydration in Arizona’s hot climate. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids – especially water! We want you to enjoy your visit with us and avoid the emergency room. If you are flying drink a few glasses of water before traveling. Always travel with a water bottle close at hand. Everyone here in the desert is happy to give you a glass of water – just ask.

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Visit Scrapbooks, Etc. on-site at Creative Escape to pick up your pre-orders, get your T-shirt, and be the first to see the exclusive Creative Escape items…they will sell fast!

Early Thursday stop in for plenty of make-n-takes, special guests, and lots of inspiration!
Store hours:
Thursday     9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday         7:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday     7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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The first year of CE we made little button pins as a cute accessory for a page layout Heidi designed. The second year we designed a few more and the tradition took root. Now, in year five, we have added 10 buttons – 8 of them designed by Creative Escape teachers. This is a fun keepsake, a great embellishment for mini albums created after the event, and fashionable badge holder bling to wear during the event. Get yours, while supplies last, at the information booth. $10 for 10 buttons. While supplies last.