Hey, everyone—welcome back to the grind! Memorial Day 2025 is officially in the books and things are mostly back to what I call normal around here. How was your weekend? Do anything wild and crazy? I didn’t. I stayed home where the fridge was full, the pressure was low, and there was nobody around awkwardly trying to make small talk over a plate of lukewarm potato salad. I stitched, I ate, I relaxed, and did pretty much whatever I wanted at my own pace. It was wonderful! Family, a handful of close friends, the sunshine, the lake, and three whole days to kick back and enjoy the home I spent so many years busting my caboose to have, is really all the vacation I need—for the most part, anyway… Obviously it’s still fun to travel sometimes too, especially when it’s for the fun of it rather than work, but “stay-cations” are definitely one of my favorite ways to spend my time off these days.

Speaking of traveling and vacations… As you know, one of the main reasons I took a leap of faith and opened the “new” Primitive Gatherings and The Gathering location is so that instead of spending so much time on the road teaching, I’d have a proper classroom close to home and I wouldn’t have to travel anymore. While that all remains true, like I mentioned, it’s also true that even though I don’t HAVE to travel as much these days, I still do enjoy a chance to get out of Dodge every once in a while. That’s why, when the opportunity came up to host my second-ever Craftour trip, it wasn’t exactly a hard decision to make. It was kind of like, Sooo… You want me to go to New York, board a plane, fly off to France, and then spend the next week touring, eating, drinking, sewing, and touring some more? I mean… after such an intense level of arm-twisting, I suppose I didn’t really have a choice, did I?

You might recall that coming up in November, I’m hosting my very first Craftours retreat in Scotland, where—when we’re not stitching— my guests and I will be diving into the culture and history of the country. We’ll visit several well-known historic stops and locations, including a few straight out of the epic storylines of the popular TV series, Outlander. Sounds like a blast, right? Fortunately for me (but unfortunately for those of you who missed out on signing up) that tour is long sold out. Disappointing, yes, but there is also good news—you have another chance to head out on your dream quilting retreat coming up in spring 2026! Get ready to dive into the charm, history, and irresistible style of historic Paris as we trade tartans for toile and head straight into the heart of all things French.

Feeling ready to let a little joie de vivre sneak into your stitching? Pack your bags—this trip isn’t just about seeing the sights, eating the food, or bragging that you stitched in Paris. It’s about soaking up the history, slipping into the rhythm of everyday life, and experiencing the kind of culture that makes this city unforgettable!

Have you ever been to France, or is it still a bucket list item for you like most of us? Brought to you by Craftours.com, this retreat combines hands-on creative workshops with some of the most breathtaking scenery and architecture on earth. This is your chance to be a part of this epic adventure with me. Join us… I dare you!!!

WHERE & WHEN:

This retreat takes place MAY 15th – 23rd, 2026 in Paris, France.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Traveling with ME – Lisa Bongean!
• Admission to my exclusive hands-on quilting workshop!
• Round-trip international airfare from New York City, U.S.A. to Paris, France (if you choose to arrange your own airfare, you will pay a “land only” rate and be responsible for your airfare & transfers).
• Hotel/Airport transfers  in Paris, France for all full-package guests.
• First-class hotel accommodations in Paris, France – suite upgrades are available.
• Delicious buffet breakfasts served daily.
• A professional Craftours travel manager throughout your entire journey.
• A private deluxe motor coach and professional driver throughout your entire journey.
• A Craftours lanyard and luggage identifier.

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA:

• Welcome Dinner, introductions, orientation meeting, and Farewell Dinner.
• Panoramic city tour of Paris, France with a local, professional guide.
• Touring the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Visiting the artists in the Montmartre area of Paris.
• A self-guided tour of the famous Louvre Museum.
• A self-guided tour of Monet’s Gardens in Giverny.
• Optional cooking lesson with a professional chef.
• An optional evening boat cruise on the River Seine and a tour of the Palace of Versailles are also available.

It would be an absolute blast to have you along for this unforgettable creative journey! And as if you needed more convincing, retreaters who book by June 14th, 2025 will receive an early signup discount! The total cost of this once-in-a-lifetime creative adventure in Paris, France is ONLY $5,427.00, NOW through June 14th, 2025 (all taxes are included – insurance is highly recommended). Unless you have a money tree stashed away in your sewing room—don’t wait! The price will INCREASE $500.00 on June 15th, 2025!

Thinking this sounds great but you wish the trip was just a liiiiitle bit longer? You’re in luck! This particular Craftour offers an additional six-day post tour, which will add Rouen and Normandy, France to your journey! This portion of the trip runs from May 23rd through May 28th, 2026.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• First-class hotel accommodations in Rouen and Paris, France – suite upgrades are available.
• Delicious breakfasts served daily.
• Fairwell Dinner.
• A professional Craftours travel manager throughout your entire journey.
• A private deluxe motor coach and professional driver throughout your entire journey.

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA:

• Free time for shopping and sightseeing throughout the entire trip.
• A visit to the beautiful harbor town of Honfleur.
• A self-guided tour of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in Normandy.
• A visit to the historic Beaches of Normandy, including Omaha Beach.
• A panoramic city tour of Rouen with a local professional guide.

The total cost of the six-day post tour in Rouen and Normandy, France is an additional $2,187.00

Ahhh, just think of it—spring in Paris. Oui, s’il vous plaît! If you’ve been dreaming about a trip that feeds your soul and your stash, this is it! Come stitch, explore, and soak it all in with me. Shhhhh—listen… What’s that??? Paris is calling! Answer the dang phone already, and sign up by clicking the link below! You can also email Info@Craftours.com for more information.

Alright, stitchers. That’s all I have for you today but I will be back tomorrow LIVE at 1:00 p.m. CST on my YouTube channel, STITCH with Lisa Bongean! I’ll be showing off my works in progress (for real this time!) along with announcing this week’s Unity prize winner, and more! You can watch by clicking the STITCH icon below. In the meantime… Bonne journée et bon patch! See you soon! ~Lisa