Brainwaves weekly: crafts to try at home

My puppy Seaton needed a cover for his crate, but all the ones online were too expensive. So, I pulled an old throw out of the back of a cupboard, measured it, then cut it into five rectangles, which I sewed together to create a cover. I cut a hole in one side to form a doorway before popping it over Seaton's crate. Now he can get some privacy away from the cats! Lesley Lea, Chardstock, Devon

I love sewing, but whenever I cut a piece of fabric, I struggled to keep my cuts neat and straight. To help me, I marked the material at either end, then stuck a strip of sticky tape between the marks. Cutting along the edge of the tape gave me a guide to follow and left with me a perfectly straight piece of fabric.Debra Stapley, Dover, Kent

I had an old barbecue that no longer worked. But instead of throwing it away, I decided to turn it into a garden feature. I drilled some drainage holes in the bottom, then painted it gold. Finally, I added some plants. I think it looks fab!Allan Bailey, Milverton, Warwicks

I wanted a post box to store small parcels, but the ones I saw were too pricey. So, I decided to make my own out of an old bread bin. I drilled two holes through the back of the bread bin and another two into the front wall of my house. After inserting two plugs into the holes in the wall, I screwed the bin to it. Now my parcels will be safe and dry. Mary Cook, Gainsborough, Lincs

When I walked past a skip, I noticed some scaffolding boards and asked if I could take them. Back at home, I cut the boards into different lengths and screwed them together to form a planter. Then I lined the planter and gave it a coat of fence paint before filling it with compost and adding my strawberry and lettuce plants.Bob Brown, Willerby, E Yorks

After buying a tatty old chair in a charity shop for a tenner I decided to bring it up to date with a makeover. I painted it grey, then upholstered it with some funky animal print fabric I'd bought. I've given it to my granddaughter, and she absolutely loves it. Not bad for a bargain buy!Sue Veale, Yate, Bristol