Spring Is A Time For Rebirth!!

Hi Everyone!

Did I ever mention how much I LOVE Spring? It's my favorite season by far. Not only is it a fantastic time for rebirth outside, but inside too :).

I had a chance to sit down with some old girlfriends this week. It was so nice to see everyone again! Between work, kids, new babies, new jobs, lost jobs, it was hard to get everyone together. But once we did finally meet up, it was just like old times! We enjoyed knitting and beverages, and funny stories (and some sad ones too...) but it did make me remember how much my true friends mean to me! I know despite the situation, they're always there for me (and vice-versa!). It was wonderful to catch up, get some advice, give some advice, and knit! We promised once a month meetings and I'm really looking forward to them!!

Good friends are so hard to find. When you have one, make sure you let her know that she means a lot to you!

If you've lost touch with a good friend, now is the time to reach out to them! Times are tough for everyone right now but it's amazing how important good friends are. Give her (or him!) a call and tell them you're thinking about them!

You know already how much I love flowers, and gardening and the like. I am pleased to announce that the bearded irises I planted last year are coming up like crazy! Bearded irises are just about the only irises that can stand the cold New England winters. This was the first year they had to grow, and I already have BABIES! I can't wait to see what the flowers look like!

And my 2 types of strawberries are coming up too...

I'm having fun knitting for ME right now :). It doesn't get to happen that often, and I revel in the times when I can pull out some obscure project that isn't work-related and begin working on it again!n I don't have much to show you on that front yet but I'll post when I get a little more knit for you to see :)

Oh yeah! It's Fall 2009 here at J. Knits too... Can't forget about that!!

Here's the first of a couple of posts showing you what's new around here (if you can't quite see the whole image, click on it and it will open in a new window so you can read it all!~):

To see everything that's new right now, click here!

And, just to let you know, there's going to be a sizable online store opening up shortly that will carry all J. Knits Products (yes, I said ALL!) so you can find them if your LYS doesn't carry them.

Have Fun & Knit Safely!

Julie

J. Knits

http://www.j-knits.com/

NENA + Fall 2009... WHEW!

Whew is right!

We just got finished attending our annual New England -based tradeshow, NENA. Unlike Stitches, this one's a wholesale-only show which caters to yarn stores. It's a nice show; not too big and not too small. We have a small booth (I'm hoping for twice the space next year) but that does make it easier to set up and take down.

Here are the girls (Sam & Regan) setting up the booth (I'm taking the photo):

And here is the booth all nice and pretty:

And a closeup of the front of the booth:

And of all the colorways, just waiting to be touched and admired :-)

You know what the best thing is about a Tradeshow is? When it's over!! Ha, ha!

No, really... I loved meeting the store owners and some of them brought some employees and friends with them so I got to meet some die-hard knitters too! That's the best part about it! Meeting everyone is always fun and, if you've heard the poddy (my name for our podcast) then you know I can talk forever about J. Knits!!

Norah Gaughan was there too in the Berroco booth (right next to ours). I have met her in previous years but each time I do, it's always a treat! The most amazing thing about Norah is, despite her unbelieveable knitting mind, how down to earth and modest she is about her talent. She must know how good (and I mean really, really good) she is, but she never lets on, not even for a moment.

I love young talent in the knitting industry today. We have a lot to offer. We're just now coming into our own as some of the more seasoned talent retires or moves on to other ventures. A "passing of the torch" I like to say. It happens in every industry, every single day.

I have so much to share with you about Fall 2009 that it's staggering... it will take me a couple of posts at least!

So for now, enjoy the photos and I'll post more in a day or so...

Oh yeah... in a non-industry related subject, we have some wild turkies that have adopted me & my boyfriend recently. No, we haven't been adopted because we are such a cute couple (even though I think we are ;-) but rather because he feeds them! We have a male and female couple who come to visit and they announce their arrival every morning by "gobbling" when they wander out of the woods for our side yard. Here's a fun photo of one eating underneath our bird feeder:

Bye!

Have Fun & Knit Safely,

Julie

J. Knits

www.j-knits.com