We've got some fun crafts for you to try at home
Brainwaves issue 18
1 of 6Wonder wall
There was an ugly wall at the end of my garden that I hated, but I had an idea about how to cover it up. I got a shower curtain with a lovely woodland scene on it, and put it on to a frame. Then I screwed the frame to the wall. Now, when I look out of my window it’s easy to imagine walking through the woods.
Lynne Antin, Wokingham, Berks
2 of 6Coaster living
I had some plain cork coasters and wanted to use them to make something nice. So I gave them a fresh look by adding fabric, ribbon and buttons. Then I used more ribbon to attach them together at the back, and created a loop at the top to hang my creation. I’ve put it in my bathroom and it looks fab. I’ve since made more decorative coasters using different fabrics.
Ruth Graydon, Rotherham, S Yorks
3 of 6Never the twine
I was fed up of losing the end of my garden string, but I had an idea about how to stop it getting lost in the tangle of twine. I got a takeaway coffee cup and made a hole in the bottom. Then I threaded the string through the hole. Now it just feeds through and I can snip off the amount I need without losing the end — and the string stays dry inside the cup too.
Jen Windsor, Bingley, W Yorks
4 of 6Real A-PEEL
My toddlers love playing stickers, although they need me to peel them off, but I’ve found a better solution. Now I carefully remove the background sticker, leaving all the stickers on the backing. It makes it much easier for little fingers to peel off the stickers. It’s simple — and it means I can get on with other things while they’re busy playing!
Sarah Morrison, Sandhurst, Berks
5 of 6Glow for it
As my old vase looked a bit plain, I decided to jazz it up a bit. I stuck decorative butterflies on the inside with double-sided tape. Then I wrapped wire LED fairy lights around the outside of the vase. When they’re on, the lights really set off the butterflies and it brightens up my hallway.
Lucy Hodson, Hoylake, Merseyside
6 of 6SMELL mercies
The cooking smells in my kitchen wouldn’t go away, but I didn’t have any air freshener — so I decided to create my own. I scooped two cups of rice into a white plastic bag, then added about 10 drops of essential oil to it. Rice is a great odour absorber, so then I just hung it in my kitchen and let the essential oil do its work. The stale food whiff was gone in no time.
Angela Garvin, Romford, Gtr London