Brainwaves weekly: recycle and reuse

I was always worrying about smashing my wine bottles on the way home from the supermarket. So, when I went to do my next shop, I took a pair of fluffy slipper socks with me. When I packed my shopping bag, I slipped a sock over each bottle to cushion them. Now, I know I'll get my wine home without any breakages.Niamh Fitzgerald, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

When I was giving my old skirting boards a lick of fresh paint, I was concerned about getting some on the carpet. So I popped an old table mat on top, pressed it down and slid it under the edge of the skirting board. It protected my carpet from paint splatters perfectly.Denise Smith, Wakefield, W Yorks

When my daughter Robyn had outgrown her little bookshelf, I decided to revamp it. I painted it with white chalk paint, and once it was dry, I drew a leaf design on to it in pencil. Next I used some acrylic paint to add colour. Finally, I sprayed the shelves with varnish to protect them. Now, I have a super-stylish table beside my bed. Karen Hobson, Gleadless, Sheffield

I had a huge collection of brightly coloured beads and buttons that I decided to turn into a piece of art. I bought a cheap box canvas, and after sketching out a design on some scrap paper, I drew the outline on to the canvas and filled it in by gluing on the buttons. Now, it's on my wall for everyone to enjoy. Jenny Surridge, Shrewsbury, Shrops

My old towelling dressing gown had become worn and threadbare, but buying a replacement was expensive. So, I decided to make myself a new robe. I bought two large bath towels for material and used my old dressing gown as a pattern. Once all the pieces were sewn together, I added a floral fabric along the front band and on top of the pockets. I love how my raspberry gown turned out, and it cost me next-to-nothing!Katrina Smith, Cowdenbeath, Fife

Our rescue cat, Ari, was always nervous, and she'd use our house plants as her litter tray. The smell was terrible! To deter her, we cut circles out of old car mats and then cut slits into the centres. We then slotted them around the bottom of our plants. Now, Ari leaves our plants alone and we can easily lift the mat to give them a water.Jo Kerrison, Norwich, Norfolk