Brainwaves weekly: from children’s games to pet toys

I had some leftover fabric, so I used it to make toys for my dogs Ziva, Sky and Einstein. I cut the fabric into three equal lengths, which were 1.5in wide. I tied them together at one end with a knot. Then, I plaited them tightly together and tied a knot at the other end too. After trimming off any loose ends, I gave them to the dogs who loved them. When it gets chewed up, I'll just make them another one. Debra Stokoe, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear

Since I started home-schooling my son Rory, five, I've been thinking of ways to make his learning fun. I took a paper plate and wrote the alphabet around the edge in capitals. Then I got 26 pegs and wrote the letters in lower case on those. Rory then matched up the letter on the plate with the one on the peg.Karen Hill, Caernarfon, Gwyned

My nan Dolly always carried a pretty, embroidered handkerchief with her. When she passed away, I asked my mum Brenda if I could have a few of Nan's favourite hankies. After painting an old wooden picture frame, I arranged the hankies inside it. Then I gave it to Mum so she could have something special to remember Nan by.Jane Eaglestone, Aveley, Essex

Instead of selling this old, free-standing cupboard, I decided to give it a new lease of life. I sanded it all down, then painted everything but the top with two coats of chalk paint. Having been unused before, my upcycled cupboard now sits proudly in my hallway. Lucy Hodson, Hoylake, Merseyside

My son Richard and his partner Katie wanted pink flamingo cushions for their garden furniture, but couldn't find any. So when I spotted a shower curtain with flamingos on it in the supermarket, I bought it. Back at home, I cut the fabric into pieces and sewed together four cushion covers. Then, I made some bunting with the leftover fabric. Now they've got wipe-clean and weatherproof garden cushions, complete with the flamingos they always wanted!Linda Green, Prestwich, Gtr Manchester

I had a matching pair of lamps, but one stopped working. Instead of throwing away the shade from the broken one, I had an idea. I turned it upside-down and stitched it to the top of the other one to create one unique lampshade. I think it looks really striking.Joanne Campbell, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim