Brainwaves weekly: crafts to try at home

When my husband's old sports tops became a bit tight, I decided to give them a new lease of life as cushions. First, I popped a pillow inside each shirt, then I sewed up any openings. Not only do they make the sofa really snugly, they also let us show some team pride at home. Denise Shepherd, Nottingham

My daughter Ettie had loads of little pots of Play-Doh, but I had nowhere to store them. After seeing a woman online using a spice rack to store coffee pods, I realised that would work for Play-Doh pots too. I checked the measurements, then ordered a spinning spice rack. The pots fitted perfectly and now they're all organised. Lisa Atkinson, Scarborough, N Yorks

When I found an old plant frame behind my shed, I decided to use it to brighten up my garden. I painted it with grey outdoor paint and placed it against a wall. Then I bought some colourful pots, filled them with pretty plants and hung them on the frame with hooks. I'm really pleased with the results and my old frame has become a garden feature. Joan Picken, Barnsley, S Yorks

When I found this old unit, which had once stored my nana June's old record player, I decided to repurpose it. The unit was built by my great grandad, and at some point, my grandad Peter had painted it to create a play kitchen for the grandkids. I took it home, sanded it down and then painted it using a primer, followed by white chalk paint. Once that was dry, I painted the doors using two different shades of grey chalk paint. For a stylish finish, I added some crystal knobs. Now, this little heirloom sits perfectly in my bedroom. Hannah Chapman, Peterborough, Cambs

When my son and I were crafting one afternoon, we decided to make our rabbit Tetley a hideaway. First, we gathered scraps of old cardboard, then we taped them together to form a small hut. Finally, I secured a curved roof over the top to give Tetley some privacy and added a blanket to make it feel cosy. As you can see, Tetley loves it!Sarah Bamforth, Stanley, Perth and Kinross

My favourite handbag was starting to look a bit tired, so I thought I'd retire it and find another use for it. I cut off the top flap, popped a pretty pink plant inside and filled the rest of the bag with soil. Then I hung it on the fence in my garden, so I can still get to enjoy my treasured bag.Diane Dodds, Ermine West, Lincoln