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Gift Wrapping from Recycled Materials
Many people wrap gifts in brown paper bags or fabric, but that is only the start of ways you can wrap gifts without creating trash. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Furoshiki, or Japanese wrapping...
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Memory Keepsakes
Memory keepsakes are items made from clothing when someone passes away. We are heading into the holiday season which can be a very difficult time for people who have lost a loved one. I rely on...
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Sweaters, Wool and Yarn – Creative Reuse
Sweaters that shrink in the dryer. That tiny ball of yarn at the end of a knitting project. That wool suit you are never going to wear again. Let’s talk about creative reuse of sweaters, wool and yarn!...
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Inner Tubes Creative Reuse
Some artisans call it “vegan leather” and that’s because inner tubes can be cut and sewn together like leather. A lot of the projects you would make with leather can be made instead with inner tubes....
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Bojagi or Pojagi – Korean Patchwork
Bojagi means wrapping cloth. Many bojagi are made from a solid piece of fabric, but some are made by piecing together fabric remnants into a patchwork. One of the most striking aspects of bojagi (also...
View ArticleCommunity Service Through Creative Reuse
Find out how you can build stronger community while also creatively reusing trash. It’s like a 2-for-1 good deed! Crocheting Sleeping Mats Many community groups crochet plastic bags into mats for...
View ArticleBras Creative Reuse
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so let’s talk about ways you can clear out your bra collection while not filling the landfill. Luckily, there are many organizations that take gently-used...
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Vintage Linens and Needlework Creative Reuse
Pillowcases with ornate embroidered flowers and bluebirds. Handkerchiefs purchased as souvenirs on a cross-country trip. Needlepoint tapestries of horses pulling sleighs intricately stitched with...
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Exercise Equipment from Recycled Materials
Let’s have more fun while exercising! I made a medicine ball and yoga equipment from recycled materials, and brought it to my taiko group. We had a lot of fun incorporating these homemade items into...
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Fundraising with Scrap Quilts
Most fundraisers that involve quilts are raffles or auctions. But I believe there is a better way to build a community of supporters for your organization with the power of quilting. In this episode,...
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Social Distancing: 20 Creative Reuse Activities to Do at Home
If you are staying close to home due to social distancing, you can do these creative reuse activities with items that you likely already have at home so you don’t need to go to the store. Activity #1...
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Monsters from Recycled Materials
My son with fur fabric for his Halloween monster costume Found objects and recycled materials can be a great inspiration for monster sculptures. This week I facilitated a workshop with high school...
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Creative Reuse Trends during Social Distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
People are generously making masks and hand sanitizer, teaching art with recycled materials and using up what they have in the kitchen. These are moments of creative reuse that fill me with gratitude...
View ArticleMoney – Coins and Bills
Artists cut, paint, stack, carve and weld coins. They fold and embroider paper bills. Let’s learn about the ways artists creatively reuse money – coins and bills. This is 100th episode of the...
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Buttons Creative Reuse
If you upcycle clothing, you will build a button collection. Learn about the incredible ways artists work with buttons and get ideas for creatively reusing your own buttons. My Button Quilt Square...
View ArticleVisible Mending
There is a creative reuse trend to mend your clothes with decorative stitches, making the item stronger and also more beautiful. Benefits of Visible Mending People get excited about learning new ways...
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Umbrellas Creative Reuse
Sculpture artists and weavers make mind-blowing items from discarded and broken umbrellas. But there are also many projects that you can make at home with limited sewing or gardening skills. Artists...
View ArticleHow to Make Bags from Recycled Food Packaging
In this tutorial, I share how to make fun bags from plastic packaging. Fruit, nuts, juice pouches and many other foods come in thick plastic packaging. Check out how I upcycle this into grocery bags...
View ArticleRecycle Neckties into a Quilt
I’m very excited that so many people are enjoying my necktie quilt tutorial! Check it out!
View ArticleRecycle Ties into a Quilt – Second Design
My next necktie quilt is done and the tutorial is on YouTube! This quilt is a complementary project to the hexagon design. While the hexagons use the wider section of ties, this uses the narrow...
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