Brainwaves issue 19: fun crafts to try at home

Hamper champs!
For my mum’s 60th birthday, I came up with the idea of making a goodie-filled hamper for her. Instead of a basket, I covered an old cardboard box with wrapping paper, before filling it with gifts and treats. I wrapped it with cellophane and then added a bow. For a special touch, my three-year-old daughter Olivia and I cut letters out of coloured paper and covered them with glitter before sticking them on, so they read ‘Mum’ and ‘Nanna’. Mum was thrilled to bits with her personalised hamper.
Justine Machin, Preston, Lancs

Pinny perfection 
I thought I’d turn my old wipe-clean tablecloth into a spare apron, so using another apron as a template, I cut out the shape. Then I stitched some ribbon on to create a loop for my neck, and ties for my waist. Now, I have a very handy waterproof pinny. 
Valerie Child, Bradford, W Yorks

Don’t lose your head
I saw a planter I wanted with a lady’s head design, but couldn’t justify spending so much money on it. So I decided to make my own. I bought a doll’s head from a charity shop and used a saw to remove the top portion of her head and hair. I applied three coats of copper spray paint and added some fake eyelashes, then I popped my spider plant inside my beautiful new planter. I absolutely love it! 
Maria Elcoat, Kinellar, Ab’shire

Coronation creation
With King Charles’s coronation coming up, I wanted to make myself something special to wear for the celebrations. I had some scraps of fabric with Union Jack flags on, so I cut out some hearts in different sizes. Then I stitched them on to some bright red ribbon I’d saved from a box of chocolates to create a necklace. I’m so pleased with how it turned out, and will be wearing it proudly as King Charles is crowned.
Susan Cammish, Beverley, E Yorks

Jean genie
I had an old pair of jeans that I was going to throw out, but then inspiration struck and I decided to put them to good use in my garden. I filled the legs with straw and arranged them so they looked like they were sitting on a crate. Then I put the ends of the jeans into some old boots and popped a plant pot into the top. I’ve sown some seeds, so I can’t wait to see the flowers bloom. I think my idea is jean-ius!
Donna Reed, Grimsby, Lincs

Crystal clear
My grandson Charlie and I love collecting crystals, but as buying a box for them was expensive, I set about making my own. I found a plain wooden box and spray-painted it black, then added some sparkly stickers, plus alphabet ones to spell out Charlie’s name. He was absolutely over the moon with it, and now we have a special place to store all the crystals we collect.
Tracy Dickson, East Lothian