Me and my grandmother Rea making beautiful things

Handmade Gifts from Recycled Materials for Mother’s Day & More!

Do you have lots of creative reuse ideas, but struggle to get them started? It can be difficult to prioritize creative reuse projects in a busy life. So in January 2017, I started a project to make one creative reuse item per month – as a gift for my grandmother. It’s like a Christmas present that lasts all year. She gets a monthly care package in the mail, and I move ideas into action.

You can listen to my podcast episode on setting a creative reuse goal like this in this YouTube video. It originally aired in May 2018.

There are many ways that makers can build more creative discipline, through projects such as:

But if a daily challenge sounds overwhelming, you might consider a monthly challenge like mine, with an eager audience checking her mailbox.

Let me know how you motivate yourself to start, continue and finish creative projects at trashmagination@gmail.com. Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Homemade Gifts from Recycled Materials

I made the following gifts for my grandmother Rea from January 2017 to November 2019:

Hand-woven Valentine’s cushion – January 2017

Handwoven Valentine's cushion by Trashmagination
Handwoven heart cushion on my hand loom

Handwoven heart cushion on my hand loom

Embroidered Squirrel – February 2017

This was inspired by the pattern designed by Hawthorn Handmade.

My grandmother standing by the shelf where she displays my handmade gifts, March 2017
My grandmother Rea standing by the shelf where she displays my handmade gifts, March 2017

Hexagon Quilt – March 2017

Hexagon paper-pieced quilt by Trashmagination, March 2017
Hexagon paper-pieced quilt by Trashmagination, March 2017

Butterflies Made from Recycled Men’s Ties – April 2017

Butterflies made from neck ties
Butterflies made from neck ties using origami techniques, an iron and a few stitches

Rug-hooked Swirl – June 2017

This was inspired by Jess Wrobel’s peppermint hooked rugs.

 
 

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Rug hooked swirl on recycled rice burlap bag, June 2017
Rug hooked swirl on recycled rice burlap bag, June 2017

Newfoundland Trigger Mitten Embroidery – September 2017

My mitten embroidery beside the Newfoundland double-knit trigger mitten that inspired it
My mitten embroidery beside the Newfoundland double-knit trigger mitten that inspired it

Remembrance Day Poppy Quilt – November 2017

This was inspired by Jen Manuell at Fish Eye Sisters.

Poppy Quilt for Remembrance Day, November 2017

 

Felt Bagpiper Ornament – December 2017

Bagpipe ornament and original photo of my nephew Owen, December 2017
Bagpipe ornament and original photo of my nephew Owen, December 2017

Felt Fruit Salad Mandala – January 2018

Felt fruit salad mandala, January 2018

 

Valentine’s Beaded Broach – February 2018

Valentine's broach made from recycled t-shirt strips and beads, February 2018
Valentine’s broach made from recycled t-shirt strips and beads, February 2018

Felt Circle Necklace – March 2018

Felt and wool circle necklace, March 2018

 

Felt Owl Ornament – April 2018

Sleepy owl ornament, April 2018

 

Dandelion Puff Embroidery – May 2018

This was inspired by the work of Velvet Meadow.

Dandelion puff embroidery, May 2018, inspired by Velvet Meadow

Dandelion puff embroidery, May 2018, inspired by Velvet Meadow

Dandelion puff embroidery on my grandmother's shelf
Dandelion puff embroidery on my grandmother’s shelf

Rainbow Swirl – June 2018

Rainbow swirl ornament

Embroidered Autumn Leaves – October 2018

Hooked Evergreen Tree – November 2018

Bojagi Quilt – February 2019

Embroidery of Nanny and me – March 2019

Bluebird felt ornament – April 2019 (because she dyed a small part of her hair blue)

Pink Circle Quilt – June 2019

Pastel Punched Rug from Chenille Yarn on a recycled rice burlap bag – July 2019

Poem I Wrote & Embroidered for Nanny – August 2019
My daughter also made her this little lizard from yarn and pony beads.

Windy Day Bike Ride Ornament – October 2019

Christmas Tree Bag – November 2019

Nanny with My Children

Here’s some photos of my grandmother (who I call “Nanny”) with my children last summer:

My grandmother Rea and my daughter, Nora - June 2017
My grandmother Rea and my daughter, Nora – June 2017
My son Russell and my grandmother Rea, June 2017
My son Russell and my grandmother Rea, June 2017

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