The gallery is bursting with wonderful holiday gifts.  Each one lovingly made by a Vermont artist.  All would be perfect for that special someone at your house!  We hope that you will consider shopping with us this holiday season – you won’t be disappointed!

Our new fall hours are:

Wednesday – Saturday, 10 – 5:00 pm, Thursdays until 7:00 pm. Sundays:  10 – 3:00 pm.

The kitchen door cafe opens at 8:00 am with a delicious breakfast menu!

We look forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Ellen and Jim

They are here…the quiet days of Fall. They sneak up on you after the hustle and bustle of the summer and the quick pace of foliage season. And then the quiet sets in. You can almost feel people snuggling up in their “blankies” as they await winter!

But, wait – there are places to go, great art to be seen and delicious food to eat! All in one beautiful spot —- Grand Isle Art Works/Kitchen Door Cafe! Jeanne has a pot of soup on, the cafe and gallery smell wonderful! Our newest artists, Fred Snay and Ginger Johnson add to the mix!

Make us your Fall destination. We are open 6 days a week, closed on Mondays. We’ll wrap you up in comfort food and beautiful art work!

Looking for some thing fun to do?  Check out these classes.  You can register on the program page!

November

Knit a Pair of Fiddlehead Mittens
Norwegian mittens are always in fashion.  Their colors and patterns look difficult to those who don’t knit. But with some basic knitting ability and a little time, you can make a pair. Plan to knit on double pointed needles:  size 3 for small; size 4 for medium-large. Participants may select contrasting yarn from the gallery 50-50 mohair/wool selection at a discounted price.Participants should bring: a set of double pointed needles:  size 3 for small; size 4 for medium-large.
Who: Adults Limit: 8
Instructor: June Golato
Date: 2 class sessions, Thursdays November 3 and November 10
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Cost: $30:00; materials fee for yarn $28.00

December

Knit a Sideways Scarf
Learn how to knit a simple and elegant scarf on the bias. Ellen will help knitters learn this pattern. It is sure to become a favorite knitting project! Participants should bring size 10.5 – 13 knitting needles (circular or straight) and a skein of sport weight yarn – variegated is best. Participants can purchase needles/yarn at the Art Works that evening.
Who: All ages Limit: 8
Instructor: Ellen A. Thompson
Date: Thursday, December 1
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Cost: $15.00 Needles and yarn are available at an extra cost.

Handspinning with a Drop Spindle
Learn how to use a drop spindle to create beautiful handspun yarns.  This ancient technique allows you to spin anywhere.  Jim will discuss and demonstrate both spinning and plying.  Participants will need to bring a drop spindle or can borrow and/or purchase one of Jim’s hand turned spindles.
Who: All ages, 8 and above!  Limit: 10
Instructor:  Jim Holzschuh
Date:  2 class sessions: Thursdays, December 8 and 15
Time:  6:30 – 8:00 pm
Cost:  $30.00 plus $10.00 fee for materials paid to instructor; optional spindle $35.00

The Grand Isle Art Works is extending a challenge to our artists and community members! Red Scarf Project – Here we come! The Grand Isle Art Works would like to provide a work site for knitters making these amazing scarves. Mark your calendar for Thursdays in October, November and December.   Bring your best red yarn. Last year we made 21 scarves! Can we make 25 scarves for the project before December 15? Yes, we can!

Where will my Red Scarf be sent?
Your wonderful handmade creation will be sent in a Valentine’s Day Care Package to an Foster Care for Success student enrolled in college or trade school.

Not close enough to knit with us – that’s okay. Your finished scarf can be sent no later than December 8th to Grand Isle Art Works, Attention: Red Scarf Project, 259 US Route 2, Grand Isle, VT 05452.

We all need to follow closely the directions below for our scarves to be accepted!

HOW TO MAKE A Foster Care for Success RED SCARF
Scarf Size: Approximately 60″ long and 5″ to 8″ wide. Scarves should be long enough to be
wrapped around the neck, with tails long enough to be tied in the front.

Style: Think unisex collegiate. The scarves go to both male and female students, so they
shouldn’t be gender specific. Fringes are optional. Your scarf should be 60-70 inches by 6-8 inches.

Yarn: Preferably DK, double fingering-weight, worsted weight, or light bulky yarns. No lace weight, super-chunky, or mohair yarns as there are many people who find mohair too itchy. The yarn should be soft. (Yellow Dog Farm definitely disagrees with the mohair designation!)

Color: Red! However, this could mean burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, or multicolor hues including red.

Finished and tagged: Yarn ends should be securely sewn in. For a personal touch, attach a tag saying “Handmade for You” with your first name, city, and group affiliation, if any. We also suggest that you include washing instructions and personal messages of encouragement.

For more information check out the official website for FCS