The shortbread pans are cadmium and lead-free, food-safe, non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals. They're also dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.
Each pan comes packaged in a cardboard box (plastic-free!) with a booklet of recipes. The recipes are relatively simple and easy to follow, making it a breeze to whip up beautiful (and tasty) baked goods.
This is a peek into the book that you'll receive with your pan:
Brown Bag Design's classic Shortbread recipe:
1/2 cup butter at room temperature
1/3 cup powdered (icing) sugar (un-sifted)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla (you can also sub for almond extract)
1 cup flour (un-sifted)
1. Cream the butter until it is light and fluffy. You can use a spoon or electric mixers.
2. Cream in the powdered sugar and then the vanilla.
3. Carefully add in the flour and knead by hand on a flour-free surface until the dough is smooth and uniform.
4. Spray your shortbread pan with a non-stick spray (we used coconut oil).
5. Place your ball of dough in the middle of the pan, and working out from the center, firmly press the dough into the pan.
6. Prick the entire surface with a fork, and bake the shortbread right in the pan at 325 degrees for about 30-35 minutes, or until it is lightly browned.
Be sure that the middle is thoroughly cooked and doesn’t look slightly opaque or the shortbread might stick in the pan.
7. Let the shortbread cool in the pan for 10+ minutes before you loosen the edges with a knife and flip the pan over onto a cutting board.
If the shortbread does not come right out, wait until it cools a bit more and then hold the pan upside down over the cutting board and firmly tap one edge of the pan against the board. This should loosen the shortbread and it should drop out.
8. Cut the shortbread into serving pieces while it is still warm.
Let the pan cool completely before washing it in the sink or dishwasher.
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A classic cookie for the holidays! With super simple ingredients and only 1 bowl.
We made these with Worthy's Strawberry Cardamom Jam, but they'd be great with any of your favourite jams.
This recipe makes 24 cookies.
We also found it easier to weigh out the butter, sugar, and flour as they need to be accurate for this recipe.
You can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or a hand mixer, or you can whisk by hand, but it'll be a bit of a workout.
That's it! These make great gifts (add a few to a mason jar), or bring them to a potluck, or the office.
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This garland is easy to whip up and it only takes 1 sheet of construction paper (although if you want to make it longer, just use a few more sheets).
Hang it in your window, above a doorway, in a classroom, etc.
Supplies:
Step One:
Draw a bat template. You'll only need half a bat for this. If you make the half bat about 3" to 3 1/4" wide, you'll be able to fold your paper 3 times and get two full bats. Make it as simple as you can so it's easier to cut out later. Cut out the template and keep it aside.
Step Two:
Trace your bat onto a piece of construction paper with the white pencil crayon. You'll want to trace it with the wing touching the outer edge of the paper. I traced two bats (one below the other) so I could maximize the amount I was able to cut out of the construction paper. See image.
Step Three:
Now it's time to fold the paper. You're going to fold it back and forth accordion-style. Fold the sheet and line up the edge of the bat with the crease of the fold. Flip the paper over and fold it the other way, lining up the crease of your fold with the edge of the bat. Keep repeating this by flipping the paper over and folding until you don't have any paper left to fold.
Step Four:
Keep everything folded up and cut your bat out along the template. If you've traced two rows of bats, you can tape them together. And that's it! Now you can hang it up.
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You can use this with or without a backlight (or just some twinkle lights, a battery-operated candle, etc). If using without a light, you'll need a brightly lit space.
Supplies:
Steps:
1) Draw a decent-sized window on one side of the box. Use your ruler to get the edges straight and then cut out this window with your box cutter (be super careful! Don't let kids do this part). You'll also want to cut the edge off of one side of the box so you have space to insert your shadow puppets.
2) Paint the box however you want! I used black paint but you can do whatever you like best. Let it dry completely before moving onto the next step.
3) Cut a piece of tissue or kite paper to fit into the box and glue it onto the window opening. You'll want to make sure there's a bit of overhang otherwise you won't be able to glue it down.
4) Now that the shadow box is done, it's time to make the puppets! Grab some cookie cutters, or you can free-hand some shapes instead if you'd prefer! I used the Gluckskafer mini animal shape cutters from the shop. Trace your shapes onto the black construction paper and cut them out.
5) Tape the skewers onto your cut-out shapes. And you're done! Now your shadow puppet box is ready to play with! Make up all the stories, and let your creativity run wild!
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Kite paper is wonderful for making all sorts of crafts, like lanterns, window stars, faux stained glass, etc. It's thicker and more durable than tissue paper and comes in a variety of colours. The kite paper we carry in the shop comes in an assorted colour pack of one hundred 16cm x 16xcm sheets.
Grab your first sheet of kite paper.
Unfold the sheet and press the crease flat.
Next, fold the outer corners of the sheet to the centre where the crease is.
The two corners should barely touch.
Then grab the edge, towards the top of the sheet and fold to the centre.
Repeat on the other side.
You can also glue down any of the folds that aren't laying flat.
You may notice that you can see the glue, but as it dries, it should be less obvious and once it's hanging up, you won't notice it.
There are many different ways of making window stars and this is just one method. Stay tuned for more how-to's!
PS! To make a mini version of this star, cut your kite paper sheets into quarters before you start folding.
]]>Ontario is home to some spectacular wildflowers that add plenty of colour and variety to your garden. Not only are native wildflowers beautiful, they are also beneficial to the local environment and increase biodiversity.
Planting native wildflowers in your garden can help support local wildlife and create a colourful, vibrant garden. Plus, they are easy to identify and are well-adapted to the local climate, making them some of the best flowers to plant in your garden, in your flowerbed, or window planter.
In this blog post, we'll look at four popular native wildflowers to Ontario that we love!
Pale Purple Coneflower:
Native to Southern Ontario, the pale purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has a long bloom period and attracts pollinators and even hummingbirds. It's a perennial that prefers full to partial sun and loamy/sandy/clay substrate.
Black-Eyed Susan:
Black-Eyed Susan (of the Rudbeckia family) is a hearty wildflower that can grow just about anywhere. They prefer full or part sun and are great pollinator plants. There are different varieties that can be annual, biennial, or perennial and choosing which one to plant will depend on what you're looking for for your garden.
Bee Balm:
Bee Balm is a perennial that is also known as wild bergamot. It comes in different colours and attracts lots of pollinators and birds. Bee Balm is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has very aromatic leaves and flowers which are edible and are often used in teas. It prefers full sun and moist, well draining soil.
Butterfly Weed:
Butterfly Weed (part of the milk weed family) is known for attracting Monarch Butterflies. Monarchs also lay their eggs on these plants and it's a food source for them while in their caterpillar stage. Butterfly Weed is a perennial that grows fairly tall (up to 3 feet) and is non-invasive, unlike common milkweed. It prefers dryer, well drained soil and full sun.
There are many different wildflower varieties that are native to Ontario. By planting native species, you'll have a beautiful, eye-catching display, be able to attract local wildlife to your outdoor space, help out pollinators and increase biodiversity in your area.
If you're working on a wildflower garden Kinsfolk Shop carries a variety of accessories, books, and tools (many of which are made in Canada). Whether you're planting a full garden, a container garden on your balcony, or working on a community plot, we have fun things in the shop including Bee Cups (for thirsty pollinators), terracotta garden markers, and ladybug castles for attracting beneficial ladybugs.
]]>Right click on the image below to open it in a new tab, then you can print it out (on your keyboard, hit "Ctrl" and "P" to print). For best results, print in landscape at 100% scale.
]]>Click on the image below to open it in a new tab, then you can print it. For best results, print in landscape at 100% scale.
]]>Salt dough is great for making ornaments, but you can also use it for candle holders (below), little figurines, and more. It's plastic-free, waste-free, and the ingredients are inexpensive! In fact, you might already have them in your kitchen! All you need is table salt, all purpose flour, and water.
It's quick to make (although the baking aspect takes time), easy to work with and clean up, and salt dough never seems to go bad once it's baked. We have ornaments from years ago that are still perfect! You can leave salt dough as it is, or it can be painted.
Required Tools:
Ingredients:
Method:
Baking:
Disclaimer:
Fruit:
Apples, Crabapples, Cranberries, Grapes, Pears, Plums, Raspberries
Vegetables:
Artichoke, Green and Yellow Beans, Bitter Melon, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Daikon Radish, Eggplant, Garlic, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Cooking Onions, Green Onions, Red Onions, Parsnips, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rapini, Rutabaga, Spinach, Snow Pea Shoots, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini, and more!
For a full guide of what's available throughout all the seasons, please check out http://ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide
]]>Fruit:
Blueberries, Crabapples, Cranberries, Grapes, Muskmelon, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Raspberries, Watermelon,
Vegetables:
Artichoke, Beans, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Daikon Radish, Eggplant, Garlic, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Cooking Onions, Green Onions, Red Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rapini, Rutabaga, Spinach, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini, and WAY more!
For a full guide of what's available throughout all the seasons, please check out http://ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide
]]>Here's this month's fresh produce guide!
This is what's in season this month across Ontario:
Fruit:
Apricots, Blueberries, Cranberries, Gooseberries, Currants, Grapes, Muskmelon, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Watermelon
Vegetables:
Artichoke, Green & Yellow Beans, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Leeks, Radishes, Lettuce, Arugula, Radicchio, Garlic, Mushrooms, Green Onions, Cooking Onions, Squash, Mustard Greens, Peas, Parsnips, Peppers, Tomatoes, Rutabaga, Spinach, Tomatoes, Zucchini
For a full guide of what's available throughout all the seasons, please check out http://ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide
]]>This is only a snapshot of what's available right now! Keep your eye out for farmers markets, road side stands, and local produce at your grocery store. Not only does eating food produced close to home (when you can) support local farmers, but you start to learn a lot about where your food actually comes from!
This is what's in season this month across Ontario:
Fruit:
Apricots, Blueberries, Cherries, Haskap Berries, Peaches, Plums, Raspberries, Strawberries, Watermelon, Currants
Vegetables:
Green & Yellow Beans, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Radishes, Lettuce, Arugula, Radicchio, Garlic, Mushrooms, Green Onions, Cooking Onions, Nappa Cabbage, Mustard Greens, Peas, Peppers, Tomatoes, Rutabaga, Spinach, Tomatoes, Zucchini
For a full guide of what's available throughout all the seasons, please check out http://ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide
]]>Have a stash of glass jars that you've been stockpiling? Do you like making crafts? I've got just the thing! Why not try making some Jar Stash Lanterns!
They're made using kite paper which is a studier version of tissue paper. I made these with my 6 year old and they're really fun! You can trace shapes onto the kite paper and cut them out, or just rip haphazard pieces for more of a stained glass effect. They're SUPER easy and only take a few minutes to do!
Supplies:
Method:
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Bürstenhaus Redecker GmbH is a family-owned business based in Versmold, Germany. We are proud to be partnered with them as a trusted retailer of Redecker in Canada!
The company was founded in 1935 by independent brush maker Friedel Redecker. Interestingly, Friedel went blind as a child. The brush making skill set he developed relied heavily on his other senses, and is arguably a contributing factor to the quality and soundness of the product designs. Each brush continues to be made to the same standard as nearly 88 years ago.
We carry a range of their products including cleaning brushes, dust pans, hair brushes, nail cleaning brushes, kitchen utensils, toothbrush timers, tea timers, towels, sponge cloths, brooms, and more.
Friedel passed away in 1986, at which point the company was handed down to his children. Today, it continues to be family-run and now includes Friedel’s grandson, Felix, and his wife. The family continues to carry on the traditions set in motion decades ago, prioritizing function & sound design, and high quality.
We are so pleased to be able to carry Bürstenhaus Redecker GmbH pieces in Canada. Redecker is known worldwide for their quality, and with our focus on curating items that will last a long time, work extremely well, and that embody an eco-friendly lifestyle, this match is a no-brainer for us.
]]>The recycling symbol (aka the mobius loop) is the international symbol for recycling, but just because something has that symbol on it, doesn't mean it's actually recyclable.
The symbol will often have a number in the middle of it if it's on something made of plastic. This is called a resin code and lets you know what type of plastic that particular thing is made out of.
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#1 Polyethylene terephthalate PET / PETE is used to make many food containers, jugs, peanut butter jars, etc. Accepted in most blue bins. |
#2 High density polyethylene HDPE plastics include shampoo bottles, cleaning product bottles and detergent jugs. Also accepted in most blue bins. |
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#3 Polyvinyl chloride PVC is a soft plastic used in a ton of stuff! Toys, construction materials, even furniture. PVC is very difficult to recycle. |
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#4 Low density polyethylene LDPE is used to make plastic wrap, grocery bags, bread bags, newspaper bags, etc. It's not often recycled. |
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#5 Polypropylene PP is used to make straws, carpets, bottle caps, those little yoghurt and creamer containers, black plastic take out containers, etc. It's not often recycled. |
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#6 Polystyrene PS is Styrofoam and is used to make cups, take out containers, packing material, etc. It can sometimes be recycled. |
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#7 Other/Mixed This category is for plastics that come from mixed sources, or don't fall under the other categories. They are often not recycled. |
So what does this mean?!
Always check with your local municipality before tossing something in the recycling. Even if it has a recycling symbol, it doesn't mean your area accepts it and is set up to process it. Also, make sure it's clean and there isn't any leftover food, soap, etc.
Throwing things in the recycling that don't belong there (aka wishcycling) just puts additional strain on the system and can contaminate recycling streams.
For a free printable chart, click here!
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What are sponge cloths made out of?
Sponge cloths are made out of a combination of cellulose (wood pulp) and cotton and all of the cloths carried in the shop are dyed using water-based inks. Because wood pulp and cotton are natural materials, these cloths are 100% biodegradable and can go right into your compost once they've worn out.
How do they work?
Before you first use them, sponge cloths feel rigid, almost like a piece of cardboard. As soon as they get wet, they soften up completely and become cloth-like. Sponge cloths dry super quickly and never have that "dish cloth" smell. They're great for wiping down surfaces like counter tops and tables, for cleaning glass, mirrors and appliances, or even in the workshop, garage etc. You can use sponge cloths all over the house and since they are super absorbent (each cloth can hold up to 3/4 cup of liquid) sponge cloths are ideal for mopping up spills. Essentially, anywhere you'd use a paper towel, you can use sponge cloths. One sponge cloth is equal to about 17 rolls of paper towel! I even use them when I'm painting with watercolours.
How long do they last?
Generally, sponge cloths last about 200 washes. You can get around 3-6 months out of them or more depending on how well they're cared for and what you use them for (ie. using them to wipe down counters only vs using them in the garage). Once they look worn or start to come apart, it's time to grab a new one.
How do you wash them?
Sponge cloths can go right in the dishwasher on the top rack or you can wash them in the washing machine. Skip the dryer and let them air-dry. If you accidentally throw a sponge cloth in the dryer, it'll shrink quite a bit but they're still usable! I've done this more than once...
Gift Ideas?
This is all thanks to Ten and Co! They have some amazing zero-waste gift wrapping ideas with sponge cloths.
Wrap a regular sized cloth around a wine bottle and tie with string.
This next one was done with a tea towel, but a sponge cloth would work too! Same idea as the wine bottle...add a cook book, sponge cloth, and tie with ribbon or string. Super practical, and thoughtful gift giving without the wrapping paper or gift bags.
Sponge cloths are probably one of the most useful, and versatile products in the shop! It's easy to see why they have become such a fan favourite. They help you reduce single use paper waste (paper towel) and plastic waste (sponges) and come in a range of patterns and prints to suit any style and aesthetic.
]]>(Just a quick note that the dish brush heads are not interchangeable between brands. The heads from Make Nice Company brushes don't fit on the Redecker handles and vice versa.)
The heads should last you quite a while providing they are cared for properly (letting them dry out completely between uses with the bristles facing downwards if possible, cleaning regularly, not letting them sit in water for prolonged periods). I usually get about 6-8 months use per head.
Once the heads have worn out, it's important that they are disposed of properly. It's simple to do and only requires a few steps!
Firstly, find yourself some pliers! Needle-nose work best.
Second, pry all the bristles out. They should pull out easily. If they don't, try boiling the brush heads for about 5 minutes in water. This will cause the wood to swell and the bristles should pop out easier.
Once you have all the bristles out, separate the metal staples. This part takes a bit of patience. If the staples are rusty, consider using gloves.
Lastly, once you've got all the bristles and the staples separated, you can now dispose of everything. The bristles and the head can go in the compost, and the staples can be recycled.
And that's it! You're done! Now just pop on a new brush head and you're good to go!
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