We asked the Champlain Community if there was anything special they’ve been working on during their free time. Not surprisingly, it turns out we have a talented group of employees!
Lauren Bruneau is getting the whole family involved! For 6 weeks straight, her girls joined her in making little presents to deliver to 30-40 Essex families such as homemade soaps, magnets, and garden kits. They delivered them in a plastic bag after the mail carrier on Saturdays so they could sit outside until Monday to avoid contamination. They are now working on a quilt!
David Kite has been catching up on old woodworking projects that have been lying around his shop. This end table is made from walnut and white oak, while the stain treated boards in the shelf are leftovers from a wall treatment in his home.
Roz Whitaker-Heck has been busy sewing these non-medical, washable masks made of 100% cotton in a variety of African prints. They are made with elastic to wear around your head/neck and even have a metal nose bridge to help create a better fit. The fabric is from a black-owned business on Etsy called Afrique Clothing Store and the owner sells scraps of fabric so it is always a surprise when Roz gets a shipment!
Jennifer Reardon made this solar system mosaic with her kids. They constructed a fort out of a pile of pallets and mounted it inside. The “Future Astronauts” sign was created from leftover fabric samples, along with some added star garland and moon print made from crayons. It’s a creative space where they can engage in imaginative play! Next up, is a roof, so the kids can get some shade and maybe camp out in space this summer.
This wooden box is an intricate work-in-progress from Alexander Gauthier – who is planning on staining the outside and putting material mats inside.
Ellen Emery used a kit from Amazon to build these barn doors!
Pat Boera finally had the opportunity to paint her steps – cheers for completing house projects!
Jen Perlee has been keeping her hands busy working on this cross-stitch for a friend having her first baby.
Check out these beautiful knitting projects:
Last summer, Christina Brooker knitted this sweater while watching many sunsets over Lake Champlain. When she finished, she decided to knit a smaller size to highlight the cable design. She is slowly unraveling it to create the new version – and is hoping to have it finished by the first snow!
Pattern Info: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swivel-pullover
Erica Donnis has been knitting baby blankets, this pattern is #3 and counting!
Pattern Info: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sixes
Elin Melchior knitted this reversible scarf and the design is based on the Chinese double happiness character. She hopes to have the pattern available for sale on Ravelry in the fall.
Pattern Info: Her Ravelry account is at https://www.ravelry.com/projects/elinmel and the yarn is Mad Tosh Sock: https://madelinetosh.com/collections/tosh-sock