Brainwaves issue 37: fun crafts to try at home

You raise me p-up
My elderly cocker spaniel needed a stand for her bowl, as she was struggling to eat from it off the floor. Looking around for a solution, I found the stand from an old tabletop halogen oven we no longer used. I put some felt on the bottom of it, turned it over and slotted her food bowl in. It’s perfect for her, and now she doesn’t have to struggle any more.
Ceri Reynolds, Porth, Mid Glam

Boxed in
We had some old, empty video boxes that I wondered what to do with. Instead of throwing them out, I had an idea. We needed somewhere to hang our keys, so I hung the video box on the wall like a frame, then stuck hooks inside the box. It’s the perfect way to recycle something we just wouldn’t use otherwise. It’s really handy and it looks good too.
Sarah Eastty, Chelmsford, Essex

Don’t get in a flap
The rubber on my cat flap had split, but rather than buy a whole new unit, I had an idea. I took a spare plastic placemat, cut it to size then stuck it on top of the old flap. Now it looks like new again, and I’ve saved myself having to fork out for a new cat flap.
Aileen Evans, Larne, Co Antrim

N-ice and tidy
I had a stash of empty ice-cream boxes that I’d kept and washed out after we’d finished the contents. I thought they’d be the perfect way to tackle the drawer in my kitchen that is just full of different bits of stuff — everyone’s got one! I sorted through everything and popped it into different containers, before slotting them into my drawer.
Gill Thumwood, Wandsworth, London

Tee-rrific!
My puppy needed some new toys to amuse her. But they were so expensive that I decided to make some. I found an old T-shirt and cut out a rectangle of material from it. Then I cut the six strips into it, while leaving it attached at the top. I plaited the strips, then tied the ends with strong thread. Daisy loves her new chew toy — and it didn’t cost a penny!
Jean Britton, via email

Clip top!
I’ve spent lots of money buying extra safety clips to stop my child from taking their arms out of their straps in car seats and buggies. But I’ve since discovered that a simple food bag clip works just as well to stop escapees!
Alison Finniear, Felpham, W Sussex