Brainwaves weekly: home crafting projects

I bought an old writing bureau second hand and decided to turn it into a home bar. I started by removing the drawers, then I stripped all the old paint off it. I used a primer first, then painted the bureau with furniture paint. Finally, I filled it with my favourite tipples and some nice glassware. I think it looks really classy.Janet Lloyd, Ripley, Derbys

After I'd had surgery on my knee, I was worried about my dog jumping up on to my lap and hurting me while I recovered. But my son-in-law came up with a brilliant solution. He cut the side out of a large plastic bin, so that it slotted over my legs. Now if my dog jumps up, he can still sit on my lap without hurting my knee — win! It makes a great surface for my tablet too. Janet Stokesley, Paisley, Renfrews

My daughter Lola, four, had been struggling to put her shoes on the correct feet. I drew a rainbow on a piece of paper with a left foot and a right foot on either side. Then I laminated the paper. Whenever Lola puts her shoes on the wrong feet, she can't see the rainbow. It's really helping her to learn her left from her right. Amy Atkinson, Bolton, Gtr Manchester

When I was on a recent caravan holiday, I found there was no ice-cube tray in the kitchen. Instead, I washed out an empty plastic egg box, filled it with water and put it in the freezer. Within hours my unusual, egg-shaped ice cubes were ready to pop in my drink.Janice Jones, Pontyclun, Rhondda