My Projects

I have been making items from recycled materials ever since I was a teenager. Here’s a sampling of my projects to inspire you!

Weaving at the Workhouse Arts Center - so happy

Embroidery
Flexible Food Packaging and Juice Pouches
Neckties
Plastic Bags
Plastic Bottles
Plastic Caps
Rug Hooking
T-shirt rug hooking, sewing and weaving
Upholstery Samples

Embroidery

Most of these embroidered items were gifts for my grandmother. I mail her a gift once a month. Learn more about my handmade gifts from recycled materials.

Felt fruit salad mandala, January 2018
Felt fruit salad mandala, January 2018
Dandelion puff embroidery, May 2018, inspired by Velvet Meadow
Dandelion puff embroidery, May 2018, inspired by Velvet Meadow
Bagpipe ornament and original photo of my nephew Owen, December 2017
Bagpipe ornament and original photo of my nephew Owen, December 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

Flexible Food Packaging and Juice Pouches

Learn more about the items I made from flexible food packaging and juice pouches.

Toy Box sewn from Juice Pouches, 2005
Toy Box sewn from Juice Pouches, 2005
Desk organizers from dried fruit bags - Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Desk organizers from dried fruit bags – Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Backpack sewn from juice pouches, 2006
Backpack sewn from juice pouches, 2006 with transparent bag pocket to feature my daughter’s art
Fedora made from lemonade powder packages
Fedora made from lemonade powder packages

Neckties

Woman holds up a wide rectangular red quilt with hexagon designs

I made this quilt from upcycled neckties for my friend who was turning 60 years old. It was to recognize her Kanreki, which is a Japanese tradition on a person’s 60th birthday. The traditional color of Kanreki celebrations is red, and it contains 60 full-size hexagons (plus more along the edges). In Japanese textile design, the hexagon is a symbol of longevity because it recalls the shapes on a tortoise shell.

Woman holds up a quilt that is made from mostly navy blue neckties with some colorful diamond shape parts as well

My husband came up with this design which combines necktie shapes with diamonds.

Butterflies made from neck ties
Butterflies made from neck ties – these were a gift for my grandmother – learn more about how I mail her a handmade gift each month
A small section from one of my crazy quilts showing cursive handwriting as a type of stitch
A small section from one of my crazy quilts showing cursive handwriting as a type of stitch – Learn more about how I sew crazy quilts from neckties

Plastic Bags

I weave these items from plastic bags on my floor loom – learn more about my plastic bag weaving.

Storage basket made from woven plastic bags, clementine wooden box and juice pouches by Trashmagination
Storage basket made from woven plastic bags, clementine wooden box and juice pouches by Trashmagination
Weaving white plastic bags
Weaving plastic bags on my floor loom
Weaving plastic bags on my floor loom
Trash Fashion dresses designed by Trashmagination
Trashmagination's full outfits at the Trashion Fashion DC show
Trashmagination’s full outfits at the Trashion Fashion DC show

Plastic Bottles

Shark TrashAnatomy - anatomy model by Trashmagination
Shark TrashAnatomy – anatomy model from recycled materials by Trashmagination
Butterfly made from a recycled plastic water jug
Butterfly made from a recycled plastic water jug

Plastic Caps

Okedo craft from recycled plastic caps and wine corks
Okedo craft from recycled plastic caps and wine corks
Bracelet made from marker caps
Bracelet made from marker caps
Hockey player from recycled plastic caps
Hockey player from recycled plastic caps
Capulet - plastic cap creature
Capulet – plastic cap creature
Dressed up as Atlas for Halloween with my plastic cap globe
Dressed up as Atlas for Halloween with my plastic cap globe
Cub Scout Webelos Craft from Recycled Materials
Cub Scout Webelos Craft from Recycled Materials
Plastic cap octopus or squid
Plastic cap trophies
Plastic cap trophies

Rug Hooking

Mom's Ocean Rug
A rug I hooked for my mom from recycled wool
Carla Brown with hooked rug she made
Teacher and Friend Gifts, June 2011
Teacher and Friend Gifts, June 2011
Leanne's Shine Rug
Leanne’s Shine Rug
Marilyn's rug - Her cozy living room
Marilyn’s rug – Her cozy living room
Phases of the Moon rug that I made for my dad
Phases of the Moon rug that I made for my dad

T-Shirt Hooking, Sewing and Weaving

I make many crafts from recycled t-shirts – learn more about my t-shirt recycling process.

Golden Moments Weaving - All 10 Squares
Golden Moments Weaving – All 10 Squares
Tapestry made from recycled t-shirt yarn and beads sewn on upholstery sample
Tapestry made from recycled t-shirt yarn and beads sewn on upholstery sample – learn more about my t-shirt crafts
"Earthworms" rug made from recycled t-shirts
“Earthworms” rug made from recycled t-shirts
Weaving made with tie-dyed t-shirts - Be Who You Are
Weaving made with tie-dyed t-shirts – Be Who You Are
Bowl of Rice tapestry completed

Upholstery Samples

Most of my sewing projects are made from upholstery samples, squares of fabric used by designers. These are the ones that were “out-of-fashion.”

So pleased with the finished bolster cover!
So pleased with the finished bolster cover!
Bachi bags - recycled backpack straps
Bachi bags – recycled backpack straps
Nature ribbon curtain from recycled scraps
Nature ribbon curtain from recycled scraps