Well, the afterglow of my post-boutique-launch ice cream and Rowan fest has faded. Some of the Rowan patterns were interesting but overall a tad too Guess-Jeans-models-get-stranded-on-a-desert-island-and-must-fend-for-themselves-ish. You can see pics at Rowan's site now. Then I checked out the Jaeger collection and felt equally out of place, since I'm not a soccer mom and I don't wear sleeveless sequined tops to the opera.

Sigh...

But today I had another reason to celebrate. I finally met Julie, the unbelievably creative blogstress who shares her trials and tribulations with us via World of Julie. She had just acquired an absolutely beautiful old loom -- complete with the previous owner's yarn, tools, and literature collection -- and had it set up in a sunny back room of her house. After just a few passes on the loom I was hooked. It was the fiber-lover's equivalent of sitting down at a Steinway and getting to play.

In Julie's abundant spare time (note sarcasm) she also happens to be a talented book binder. I can't wait to see where all these gifts take her, since we'll all get to benefit from them. In other words, start another penny jar because one day you'll be able to acquire a Julie original. (Original what? We'll have to wait and see!)

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nearly a year after work began, the Knitter's Review Boutique finally went live. I could weep with relief and excitement and anxiety all at the same time.

I'm celebrating with a big bowl of cookies 'n' cream ice cream and a big package of goodies I just got from Rowan's U.K. offices. Fall yarns and patterns galore. And yes, the bare midriff and anorexic pout still prevail. Stay tuned for pics.

Time for an update on my Ye Olde English Cottage Garden efforts. Below you can see a before, during, and after picture. Amazing what a little Miracle Grow and elbow grease can do, ain't it?

Summer in Maine - as any resident will tell you - is visitor season. The past month has been almost fully occupied by guests from as near as New York and as far away as Belgium. I just saw my mother off at the airport and am expecting a party of 12 this Saturday. So book early for the best rooms.

The Knitter's Review Boutique is progressing like a seemingly simple yet bafflingly frustrating sweater. I won't even go into the snags and dropped stitches we've encountered along the way. Suffice it to say I have newfound respect for anyone who manages to create a semi-decent online storefront.

All you need to know is that we're almost there, and this time I really do mean it. Instead of using shared SSL, we're even getting our very own security certificate from Thawte. I'd like to say the decision was based on thoughtfulness and concern for everyone's safety, but it was actually because I discovered (a day before we were set to launch the boutique) that our software actually wouldn't work with shared SSL. Kinda like buying a brand new car and taking it for the first tank of gas, only to discover it runs on Orangina instead of gasoline. Twas a dark day in Knitter's Review land.

But on a positive and truly festive note, we have just reached our 10,000th subscriber this morning. Look out New York Times, we're catching up!