Australia’s best apartment designs for 2026 – in pictures

The 2026 Houses awards shortlist celebrates the country’s most ‘intelligent, dynamic and visually compelling homes’. For the apartment category, jury chair Alexa Kempton says judges looked for ‘density done well’.

‘Building is high-cost and comes with environmental consequences, and the jury observed architects rising to the challenge,’ she says, adding that designing something that will ‘last well into the future and adapt to the changing needs of the occupants is essential’

• Inside the homes of six prominent Australian architects – in pictures

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* This article was originally published here

Everything You Need to Know About Embroidery Hoops

One of the most common supplies for cross stitch, aside from fabric, needles and floss, is an embroidery hoop. A hoop isn’t needed for every project, and indeed there are some stitchers who prefer not to use them at … Read More...

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Pricing Handmade Sewing Items Without Undervaluing Yourself

If there’s one topic that makes sewists uncomfortable faster than sewing zippers, it’s pricing. Not how to sew the item — but how much to charge for it once it’s finished.

Most people don’t struggle with making handmade items. They … Read More...

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Add leaf blowers to the list of antisocial garden tools | Letters

Miranda Fagandini says the noise made by these devices is dreadful and can be life-altering

On reading the latest column in your long-running series (Lawnmower hum: why the sound of the summer could cost you £5,000, 27 May), I noticed that the writer didn’t include the curse of the leaf blower in their list of antisocial garden tools.

The noise is dreadful and can be life-altering. We bought one which turned out to be so loud that it has caused permanent hearing loss and hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud noise) in my left ear.

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Dog Walker Printed Panel for Embroidery – Etsy Review

This one has such a gentle, storybook feel to it. The Dog Walker Printed Panel for Embroidery from LiliPopo is a physical printed fabric panel, not a digital download, with the design printed onto natural organic calico in a … Read More...

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Designer Spotlight: Little Bear House Art

Little Bear House Art has a small collection of cross stitch patterns, but I wanted to share them anyway because of a rather specific combination of specializations: Hungarian folk patterns and K Pop Demon Hunters. 

Soemhow I haven’t done a … Read More...

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Free Felting Tutorial Friday: Needle Felted Catnip Mouse Toy

If you’ve ever wanted to combine your love of felting with a bit of fun for your feline friend, this week’s tutorial is going to make both of you purr with happiness! ?

This adorable needle felted catnip mouse tutorial, … Read More...

* This article was originally published here