Arizona is HOT!

Ok, so I know what an understatement that is...and trust me, I'm used to hot.

And humid.

But "Arizona Hot?"
Well, it's flaming hot.
And never mind that "dry heat" thing they try and sell you! That's just their way of trying to make you feel better!

Hot is HOT!

But that aside, it was an absolutely spectacular place to visit as I've never been to the desert.

I finally got to meet in person my longtime friend, Kim, who graciously picked me up at the airport and was my eversopatient tour guide for the day. I was in awe of the beauty that seemed to grow out of nothing. The flowers there were spectacular and thrived in those dry conditions...and sadly for her, I made Kim stop at each and every one for a photo. As gorgeous as it was, it was very strange to be in a place with no grass! We did the whole tourist thing, shopped the boutiques (so I could buy a piece of turquoise), bought shoes!, went scrapbook shopping at Scrapbooks, Etc (HOLY WOW!) and then ended the evening with a few cocktails at Tommy Bahama's with Laurie and Ally. It was an awesome day but let's just say I slept well that night! AND I managed to avoid purchasing scorpion suckers. (Don't ask.)








The next day I headed over the the Bazzill Warehouse for Creative Escape Preview Day. HOLY WOW!(again!) I can't even begin to tell you what heaven-on-earth that place is! Just imagine wall to wall stacks of paper (the "parent" sheets are about 2' x 3') in the largest warehouse you can imagine! I just wanted to roll around in all that yummy color! If I could have brought it all home with me, I would have! ;) Anyhow, preview day is basically a "dry run" for all the teachers so that we can get the kinks worked out of our classes before the actual event in the fall. I think that's such a wonderful idea and gives you just an idea at how committed Bazzill is to putting on a quality event. First up was Heidi, then me, Janet Hopkins and finally Laurie Stamas. I can't tell you what a treat it was to be able to sit in and take the classes of these amazing teachers beyond just teaching my own. The projects were absolutely phenominal and so unique. It killed me that I had to box all mine up and leave them at the warehouse until I come back in September. I want to play with them now! (Patience has never been my strong-suit!) We ended the day with a yummy dinner at Rumbi Grill and it was so nice to be able to sit and relax and catch up/get to know each other more.
Day 2 brought more classes with Jenni Bowlin (I LOVED hearing another southern accent there besides my own!), Tim Holtz and Jessica Guthrie (the Talent Search winner). LOVED these classes too and can I just say, that I have always loved Tim, but to take a class from him and get the "full experience" of his teaching style was off the charts! He's one dynamic man! After a quick dinner I collapsed back at my hotel for the early morning flight home. And now I can't wait to head back again in September!

(Btw, the warehouse photos were taken by Jessica - she was MUCH better about taking photos than I was - thank you for letting me "borrow" them!)