Brainwaves weekly issue 10: fun crafts to try at home

Flits and pieces
I wanted another bird feeder, but I couldn’t find one with a roof that wasn’t too expensive. So, I thought I’d try to make one. I have a drawer of odd bits and pieces, and in it I found part of a cat toy, which I used as the cover. Then I used a skewer for the centre strut and an old egg poacher for the feeding tray. Finally, I hung a small ball from the bottom to act as a weight. I think it looks great — and it didn’t cost me a penny!
Lesley Lea, Axminster, Devon

Doggy duvet day
I kept having to replace my dog Mollie’s bed, but the ones that looked the comfiest were always much more expensive. So, instead I bought a plastic bed and put an old single duvet inside, to make it really cosy. The bed is more durable, and I can just wash the duvet cover every week. Mollie loves the comfort and her bed always smells fresh!
Maria Cullum, Eltham, London

Sew easy
I recently moved home and changed my colour scheme. As my new house was a bit more draughty than my last, I decided to make some new cushion covers to match my decor, plus some handy draught excluders. I had an old set of curtains that matched my decor, so I used them to make everything, then I stuffed the draft excluders with the filling from some old pillows. I even had enough material left to make a matching tablecloth. I’m so pleased with the results._
Julie Surtees, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear_

Grrrreat idea!
Instead of throwing away the cardboard tubes from our loo rolls, we decided to have some fun with them. My son Jacob, two, and I painted them in bright colours, then once the paint had dried, we decorated them to look like monsters. Not only did Jacob enjoy making them, he also spent ages playing with the monsters and making them roar.
Fiona Smith, Redhill, Surrey

Space saver
When I had lots of visitors coming over, I ran out of space in my fridge for all the food I needed for their meals. I had a plastic box with a lid, so I put all my veg in there, sealed it shut and popped it into the cold garage. It kept everything fresh, while also keeping it protected from pests. 
Christine Hamori, Whitefield, Gtr Manchester