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Friday Afternoon

How to Make an Origami Kusudama Ball

To make a big one like the one I made here, you will need to make 30 of these units. If you want a smaller one like the one shown at the end of this video, you will need to make 12 units. I recommend using origami paper or any sort of thin paper. I used tracing paper to make the one I have hanging in my room.

Earl Grey Shortbread

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea leaves or 5-7 tea bags

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

Directions

In a medium bowl mix the flour, tea, and salt, until the tea is just spotted throughout the flour. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and butter. Mix just until a dough is formed. Place dough on a sheet of plastic wrap, and roll into a log, about 2 1/2-inches in diameter. Tightly twist each end of wrap, and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Slice the log into 1/3-inch thick disks. Place on parchment lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until the edges are just brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks and cool to room temperature.