Brainwaves weekly: at-home crafting

When I wanted to go for a run, I couldn't find the armband that I used to store my mobile phone. Instead I cut the toes off an old sock. Then I threaded my arm through the sock and inserted the phone inside. Finally I doubled the sock over to keep my phone safe and secure. Now I have a spare arm band and it didn't cost a penny. Claire Brooks, Morningside, Edinburgh

I wanted to keep my sons' bath toys dry after they'd played with them. When I spotted some fruit punnets in the recycling, I thought they'd be perfect for storing them. I cleaned them out, popped them on the side of the bath and filled them with the toys. Lucas and Scott have a place for their bath-time superheroes and now they never want to pull the plug out!Natalie Ahmed, Burton Joyce, Notts

I always struggle to find places to change in and out of my swimsuit when I'm on holiday. So I decided to make myself a cover-up. I took an old single duvet cover, cut it down to my height, then hemmed the edge, leaving a hole in the middle for my head. It makes the perfect changing tent. Even my husband loves it!Jackie Jesson, Romford, Gtr London

My husband Dane was worried about our garden umbrella blowing away in the wind. To keep the brolly secure, he added one peg to the wall of the house and another on to the garden wall. Then he used bungee cables to attach the umbrella to the hooks. Now we don't have to worry about our parasol blowing away. Eileen Mooney, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwicks

On hot summer days, my dog Bryn needed to be cooled off regularly. I found an old hose pipe from the shed, pierced some small holes in the pipe and blocked it at one end with a rubber stopper. Finally I attached it to my outside tap. My home-made sprinkler system is perfect for keeping Bryn cool — and my plants get a good water at the same time too. Everyone's a winner!Debbie Watson, Lancaster

During the lockdown, I missed my days out at the beach, so my husband John turned our conservatory into a beach hut. We painted the walls blue and the chairs white. Then, we padded the chairs with foam and covered them with striped pillowcases and duvets. Finally, John made a clock in the shape of the Isle of Wight and decorated the room with other pieces of seaside memorabilia. When I sat in there, I could almost hear and smell the sea!Lesley Dunn, Cranham, Essex