Going to Seminar? UPDATED

The American Needlepoint Guild's 2012 Seminar is going to be held in Philadelphia August 24-31. If you haven't drooled over the classes offered, here's a list.
http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-12/classes.php

Remember, there are plenty of drop in events like the bookstore, the exhibit, the Auction and more that anyone can visit, whether you have the time to register and take classes.
http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-12/index.php

The area shops are getting ready to greet you and tempt you with all sorts of goodies to remember the event by.  Here is some of what Fireside Stitchery is going to do.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/ang/index.cfm

UPDATE:  Fireside is partnering with the makers of Mag Friends to have Philly-themed magnets for you to pick up as souvenirs at Seminar.
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2012/07/ang-seminar-fireside-stitchery.html 

Fireside's website has all sorts of information for Seminar goers.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/ang/index.cfm

I've heard that Stitch Haus (which is about a 15 minute drive from Fireside) is a great place to shop, even though their website is uninspiring.  Better visit both while you can!
http://www.stitchhaus.com/aboutus.php

And of course you don't want to miss Nimble Needle!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-seminar-marriott-in-philly-to.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Retail Reality

I suppose this could be subtitled "We've got to be practical here."  Mary Agnes occasionally reports about the realities of owning a shop, which in this month's installment varies from not being able to compete with big box stores on certain items to not being able to be open seven days a week.  Maybe in an ideal world a shop owner could do all of the above, but it doesn't seem likely to happen in real life.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/07/reality-vs-retail.html

Whether it's a big store, or a little one, the employees make a huge impact, however.  Wish I'd met Helen before she retired.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/07/saint-helen-we-miss-you.html


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Choosing a Replacement for Medici UPDATED

A lot of folks are trying to find a good replacement for Medici wool, DMC's thin embroidery wool that was discontinued a year or so back.  If you are one of that number, this article from a reproduction stitcher is a must read.  The author documents how she test stitched a variety of threads to find one that would work as well as Medici when restitching The Bayeux Tapestry.
http://www.housemarshall.org/Documentations/Now%20What%20Do%20We%20Do%20for%20Web.pdf

UPDATE:  Please read the Comments as several folks have replacements and there is even a source for the original Medici straight from France.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com