Brainwaves issue 13: fun crafts to try at home

It’s tray-mendous!
While doing some painting and decorating at home, I discovered a brilliant hack. I lined the painting tray with clingfilm before pouring in the paint. When I was finished, I could just peel off the clingfilm and throw it away. It saved so much time when it came to washing-up and it means none of the paint went down the sink.
Fiona Smith, Redhill, Surrey

Knit and tidy
I love to crochet, but I was fed up with my yarn forever rolling away as I worked. I thought I’d buy a yarn holder, but the ones I found were all really expensive. Then I spotted a teapot plant pot that I wasn’t using and thought that would work just as well. I popped my ball of wool inside and fed the end through the spout. It works a treat and looks rather cute too.
Sandy Casey, Bexhill-on-Sea, E Sussex

Cats the way to do it
I wanted to give my son and his girlfriend a picture for their new flat, but everything I looked at was really expensive. So, I decided to make my own. I had a lovely big frame that I wasn’t using and I found some bright cat wrapping paper that I knew they’d love. I cut it to size and popped it in the frame. They’ve recently got a cat from the RSPCA, so the picture is now even more pawfect for them.
Alison Payne, Rugby, Warwicks

Top table
I bought a new garden bench and then wished I’d got a little table to match too. But when I was given a large cable wheel, I had an idea. I got family and friends to save all their beer bottle tops for me. Once I had enough, I stuck them carefully around the top of the cable wheel to create a durable outdoor table. It was tricky at times, but I think I’ve done a great job. Cheers! 
Lianne Metcalfe, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham

 
Keep it green
I love gardening, but don’t have space for a greenhouse. Instead, I save plastic containers from my fruit and veg to get my seedlings started. I pot up the seeds as normal, then place them in the base of one container before popping another over the top. They work a treat on my windowsill and can be stacked on top of each other too. They can be washed and reused multiple times, so it’s good for the environment.
Angela Keeler, Lowestoft, Suffolk

Footstool and fancy-free!
I like to put my feet up when watching TV, so I thought I’d make myself a footstool. I taped some empty plastic canisters together to make them level and stable. Then I cut up an old cushion cover, wrapping some of the fabric around the canisters, and using some for the top, which I stuffed with padding from the old cushion itself. Finally, I stitched the fringes from the cover around to decorate. My fab new footstool didn’t cost a penny!_
Patsy Kirk, Chaddesden, Derbys_