Use A5 paper and card, mark 4 dots on the cover (3cm apart). Make holes through all layers using a bradel or sharp needle. With strong thread, stitch up through half of the pages at hole 2 (leaving a length to tie off at the end), over the spine and back through all layers of hole 2. Then it’s down through hole 3, round the spine, back through hole 3. Up through hole 4, round the spine, back through hole 4., over the bottom edge, back through hole 4. Go back the other way, threading the last thread through the top layer to meet the trailing thread, tie off.

Save those thirst quenching drinks cans and add some recycled colour to a dull part of your home or garden. Use a sharp craft knife or pair of scissors to cut off the top part of the rinsed can (it’s a good idea to wear a pair of gardening gloves to protect hands if you have some). Take care to keep fingers clear of sharp edges as you snip down the sides of the can to the base to form the petals, then flatten gently on a table top. You can round off the petals and attach to a garden cane or stick so it can be displayed somewhere to make you smile.

To make the paste add 1/2 a cup of flour and then a cup of water, mix until smooth. Create a thin paste that is about the consistency of double cream. Tear some thin strips of newspaper and choose a bowl to use as a mould. Cover your chosen mould with vaseline and then clingfilm. Start pasting your strips onto the clingfilm, layering the strips over each other. For extra strength, allow the bowl to dry between layers. Once fully dry, which may take a few days, release your bowl from the mould, trim off any rough edges and decorate!

Spring is such a beautiful time of year, why not celebrate with blossom all year round by making your own painting. This works really well on a pale background, but why not experiment with different papers, or create your own orchard? Start by sketching out your branches, you’ll need the main trunk and then smaller branches coming off to hold the flowers. Use a cotton bud to create the petals at the end of the smaller branches. Keep going until your tree is bursting with blossom and then wait for them to dry before admiring your work.

Mix up your own dollop of stress relieving dough. You will need; 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tsp. cream of tartar, 1 cup water. 1 +1/2 tbsp. olive or other cooking oil. Add 6–8 drops of essential oil of your choice (we like lavender!) and a few drops of food colouring. Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a large saucepan, then add the wet ingredients (bar the essential oil). Heat gently until the dough begins to form (around 5 mins) then leave to cool. Once cool enough to handle, knead in your chosen oils and squeeze the stress away.

This is a very relaxing way to spend a little time with your creativity. Decide on what kind of background you would like to create, will you make a sunrise, a countryside scene or an ocean view?

Choose which colours you need and mindfully paint your own background. You can use paintbrushes or smooth the paint across the page with kitchen roll or strips of card.

Have fun blending the different colours as you go, then leave to dry. Once it’s dry you could try adding details like a silhouette (see the next activity!)

This activity works really well if you’ve already painted your own background, but you can use plain paper or even a photograph to add your own spectacular silhouette.

Choose in image you would like to draw, you could start with an outline or print something to use as a stencil. Draw the outline first, in pen or pencil, then you can pick your chosen colour and enjoy filling in the silhouette.

You can also use this style do create your own Victorian style portrait, or for making collage materials.

Who said you need a paintbrush to paint? Try using a cotton bud or your fingertips to create a beautiful painting using dots! It can help to map out your chosen image first, although you may prefer to freestyle and let the paint be your guide.

Think about which colours go where and then get stuck in dabbing away. Build up intense areas of colour using dots closer together, or use blank space between the dots to create calmer areas.

What will you paint?