TKJ 12

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The Kraft Journal's challenge word this week is "Flowers". Not too hard, since we all love them, and have them !

Can you believe that is a real wooden clipboard on there - I had to have it for this card.

The grunge paper, and the inchies are from my friend, Rilly's Etsy Shop, The House Across The Bay. My favorite new place, for sure.

Today has been a laid back day for me - no contractors to deal with, no doctor appointment, no nuffin'. We don't get enough days like that in a lifetime ! Just breakfast out with my Kindle, a stop at Ben Franklin's, home to finish this card, and maybe a nap is in my future ?? I am not even going to sweep my brand new kitchen floor.
And maybe I will ask Dom to make lobster for supper, now that we have the stove returned to the kitchen.

However, there was something to be said for having the refrigerator being right next to the tv, as we have had for the last week while the kitchen has been disrupted...


Kraft Cardstock - Recollections
Inchies & Grunge paper - The House Across the Bay
Design Paper - K & Co
Flower - Prima
Sentiment - K & Co brad
Frame - JK & Co
Clipboard - nicolecrafts
Bling - stash
Punch - Martha Stewart

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Papercraft Star 39

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Our challenge this week at Papercraft Star is:

Simon Says Create A Card

Create a Card Using the Following Recipe:
Base 5 x 7
Mat: 3 x 4.5
Add Rhinestones
Add Flourish
Add Whatever Else You Desire

Lots of people don't like recipe cards but ME, well I just love 'em !! I think the card makes itself, kind of a relief for me who sweats over each card like I was in front of the firing squad.

Now I know it looks as if I didn't follow this very well, but the truth is I just wrapped it around. Honest.

This is one card I finished and was completely delighted with. It is a manly man card in one way, but then again I thought the black with the red bling looked like a pretty slip, peeking out of a business suit. Oh, worn by a woman of course.

Tracy did a tutorial on another web site about using flourishes to make journaling cards - I thought it would fit for just a tag too. This whole card just made me happy !!

So, be sure you link up at Papercraft Star for this really fun challenge. I saw my teammates' projects before we published, and they are extra special this week. Submissions close this Sunday at 9 PM (Eastern, US).

Cardstock - Coredinations
Kraft and Black Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - Graphic 45
Flourish stamp - Recollections
Sentiment stamps - Kaiser
Pin - Tim Holtz
Jewelry cording - stash
Rhinestones - stash
Tag - Just Something I Made
Inks - Ranger, Versafine
Gelly Roll Pen

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CR84FN21

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How about this color challenge over at CR84FN !!


Well I used the brightest green that I have. The challenge with this was to keep it NOT looking like Christmas. The photo and the DT's creations do not look like Christmas at all, so it must have been just me.

So, a pretty straight forward card, nothing much to remark upon. The only unusual thing about it is that I made the pin with an old button and some glue. The card looked a little bare without it.

Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - The House Across the Bay (red), K & Co (green)
Flower - Prima
Seam binding - hand dyed hug snug
Texture fade - Tim Holtz
Punches - Martha Stewart, EK Success
Nestabilities
Tiny tag - EK Success
Lace, jewelry cording - stash

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Try it on Tuesday - Inchies

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Try it on Tuesday has an inchies theme this week. What is an inchie ? Just an image that is only 1" x 1". Three is the requirement !

Now I do love inchies - I think they are so fun, and you can always sneak one in your card somewhere. These particular ones come from The House Across the Bay Etsy shop, and I believe they are entitled "steampunk" - the rest of the inchies on this sheet are in keeping with the fun of these four.

A couple of these papers I am afraid, are scraps, and I don't know where they came from - well one came from my lss and one from Joann's, but the manufacturer ? not a clue.

One thing I did on this card I haven't done before, and I don't know why not, is some macrame. I thought knots would be in keeping with the ship the pilot is sailing, but when I finished the card and looked at that photo closer I realized he is actually piloting something airborne ! Even dumber, and betraying my old age - I tried to look at that photo by clicking on this image instead of looking at the card right next to me. Whoa - glad the weekend is approaching and my weary brain won't have to make those sorts of distinctions.

Have a wonderful weekend !

Inchies & mounting paper - The House Across the Bay
Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - Graphic 45, and scraps
Key - Making Memories
Chain and clip - Tim Holtz
Twine - stash
Stamps - Inkadinkado
Tulle - Michaels
Ink - Ranger Distress
Brads - Recollections

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Friday - Executive Reveal

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Today at Papercraft Star is the Executive Team Reveal, which this week, belongs to me.

My BFF, Rufina, is having a little tea party on her birthday next month, the day of the Royal Wedding. So, I had to include some crowns on her card !!

The little coin envelope holding the tickets is a Staples thing, I cut it down and then punched a little edge on it. The heart is just some scrap cardstock I randomly hand cut, chalked in pink, covered with glitter, far more time waiting for it to dry than creating it.

If you haven't already submitted an entry for Papercraft Star this week, time is running out !
Don't forget we have new deadlines for our linky - Sunday 9PM (Eastern US) submissions close, and voting closes on Tuesday at 6AM (Eastern US.)

Cardstock - Martha Stewart
Design Paper - K & Co, My Mine's Eye
Tickets & "letter" - madebyjanet etsy shop
Flower - Recollections
Coin envelope - Staples
Punches - Martha Stewart, EK Success
Glitter - Martha Stewart
Stamps - Recollections
Pearls - Tracy sent them !! Thank you again, Tracy !
Ribbon - stash

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TKJ 11

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Today's challenge is The Kraft Journal - Oh Baby it's Spring is the theme.

This card was totally inspired by the darling seed packet with the child looking up at the flowers. Both the seed packet, and the paper for the tag come from The House Across The Bay Etsy shop. If you haven't stopped over there, check it out. Rilly has great prices, and beautiful images ! I have spent some $$$ over there, so I expect you will continue to see me post a lot more of her art on my cards !!

The envelope is a library card pocket from The Kraft Outlet though it is pretty hard to distinguish ! I painted it with two different Ranger paint daubers, to enhance the colors of the card.

Fun and very very simple card to make !

Seed Packet & Tag paper - The House Across the Bay Etsy shop
Library Card pocket - Kraft Outlet

Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - K & Co
Paint - Ranger
Brads - Michael's $1 bin
Flowers - Prima
Jewelry cording - Walmart
Sentiment - computer generated

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CCCB 50 - Being a gwama

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Linda at City Crafter has chosen babies, buttons and bows this week for their challenge ! She says she is going to be a grandma very soon, and boy, is she in for a treat.

I never had grandparents who were close to me, so I made sure we had our little guy as often as we could. Every Sunday he arrives here all bright and shiny, and we plan a day together. This past weekend his Pup was busy working around the house ( I really mean March Madness !!) so Spencer and I did some jigsaws on the computer, read some stories, watched some Scooby-Do, played some games, and just enjoyed a happy happy day with one another.

Yup, it is a good life being a gwama ...



Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - DCWV
Flowers, brad - Recollections
Sheer ribbon and button - stash
Seam binding - Hug Snug
Cuttlebug, scissors, nestabilities, computer generated sentiment

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365 Cards - Day 21

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Today at 365 Cards our challenge is ABC, that is
A - Alpha stickers
B - Blue
C - Circle

One thing for me that was new and different here is that I didn't think about alpha stickers and tags inside of pockets. Those stickers aren't going to stay down being shoved in and out of a pocket, so I used packing tape on the front. Gives it a smooth, shiny look, and now it moves easily.

The pocket is actually anywhere on the card, since the pearl brads are what is attaching the paper to the background paper.

The baker at my breakfast haunt is leaving for a new job after 9 years. This was her very first job, so it is a little scary to think of leaving after all that time. I made this little (4x4) card for her - I think it is just as sweet as she is.

Cardstock - Recollections
Paper - Basic Gray, DCWV, Prima
Flower - Recollections
Brads - Recollections
Button and jewelry cording - stash
Alpha stickers - Cosmo Cricket
Nestabilities

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Card Patterns 107

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Card Patterns is a new challenge for me, though I confess I have often used their sketches.

Basic Grey says these papers are "primitive and native patterns" - but they made me think of the beauty of the landscape flying over it.

That sort of took me to the bird/airplane idea.

It seems I am finding myself doing a lot more "male" type cards than female - do you suppose it has something to do with the fact the main person who is the recipient of my cards is a guy ?

Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - Basic Grey
Bird paper - sabrinazanetti etsy shop
Baggage Tag - Just Something I Made
Brads, ribbon and jewelry cord - stash
Alpha stickers - Making Memories

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Chocolate Therapy

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Chocolate - yum.

Try it on Tuesday (Tuesday Taggers) has a chocolate theme this week.

I have some wonderful chocolate images, in fact, more than enough to make chocolate cards for a very long time ! So, I always try to get in on a chocolate challenge.

Normally I would cut off those little cord endings, but today they looked just so cute long I couldn't do it.

Have a fabulous weekend, create something special !

Cardstock - Martha Stewart, Coredinations
Design Paper - sei, gcd studios
Cake Image - Art Cult etsy shop
Lace and ribbon - stash
Pink brad - Bo Bunny
Grunge tag - stash
Stamp - TPC
Punch - Martha Stewart
Jewelry cording

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CR84FN19

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Who does not want to make a card with these colors ! Beautiful combo, and so inspiring. CR84FN has this challenge for aqua, steel blue, and gray.


Isn't that gray paper beautiful - it is a textured DCWV, and I have been thinking about it for awhile now.

This whole card has so many elements, but my brain just flew as they all came together so quickly - that NEVER HAPPENS !! A lot of things on here that have been in my stash for awhile, so let's see if I can get them right, and remember what is what.

Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - DCWV
Tag paper - The House across the Bay etsy shop
Stamps - Inkadinkado, Recollections, TPC
Bulldog clip & keyhole - Tim Holtz
Brads - one is Bo Bunny, the other is just old something
Ribbon - stash
Chain & lock - stash
Screw Brads - Recollections
Paper clips - stash
Sentiment - Dymo

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Papercraft Star 37

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Papercraft Star Challenge 37 is, simply, St. Patrick's Day ! But I think we will accept anything green - for spring, for St. Pat's day tomorrow, for money, or even the Emerald City ! Isn't that one beautiful inspiration photo.

I had all sorts of issues with this card. It came together easily enough, it just kinda fell apart at the very end.

I have one of those huge 3m pink tape gliders. I ran out right of the tape right at the very end of taping this on, and could not, COULD NOT, get that puppy reloaded, so ended up with some old 2 sided tape. I took the photo, then I saw that it wasn't sticking quite right on one side. So, I thought, back to get another photo, but dumb me, I had glued on the flower {which I never ever do, I always attach it through the paper) and I had done it right before I took the photo. Well it was still standing in my lightbox, and didn't that glue drip down the card and already harden, so no new photo for me. And I think the card is completely ruined too. Oh well, and alas.

Don't forget we have new deadlines for our linky - Sunday 9PM (Eastern US) submissions close, and voting closes on Tuesday at 6AM (Eastern US.) Hope to see you at Papercraft Star for this easy-peasy challenge. Oh, and a reminder, we always have all of our challenges posted for months ahead - just click on the challenge tab and make it now !!

Cardstock - Martha Stewart
Design Paper - Basic Grey, Prima, K&Co
Flower - Prima
Green brad - Bo Bunny
Dragonfly brads - Recollections

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CCCB 48 - Beautiful Princess

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City Crafter is featuring Monte Carlo this week. Wow. I have only seen photos and video on tv, but this does look like one amazing city. If I remember correctly, everyone is employed ! The fabulous theme is crowns ! I knew I had all those crown things for a reason ...

Thanks to the CCCB Ladies for their Artist Spotlight last week !! I love pocket cards, and Ros especially has inspired me to make tons more !

Our Spencer has taken to calling all of us by different names, names that change periodically. Brie has been called Pluto, Doggy and Tootles, Jason Big Grasshopper, Pup has been Dinosaur. Me ? I am Gwama. What is with that anyway, no cute name for me. So I proposed on Sunday that from now on I was to be called Beautiful Princess. Of course, Dom bought into that right away, and called me Beautiful Princess all day, but not Spencer, oh no, I am NOT Beautiful Princess. Reluctantly, he said he would call me FROG, but even that didn't stick. Hmmmm, I dunno what this kid is thinking ....

I made the little postcard with a TH stamp, a ruler and brown Gelly Roll pen, and vanilla cardstock.


Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - Bo Bunny, Graphic 45, with crowns from landofenchantment Etsy shop
Brads - Bo Bunny
Stamps - TPC, Tim Holtz, Recollections
Mask - Tim Holtz
Stamp stamp - K & Co
Jewelry cording - stash
Stickles

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365 Cards - Day 15

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365 Cards has a color scheme theme today, olive/black/cream.

I wanted to make a card for St. Pat's Day, to give away to some one who I hope will be lucky ! I stuck a scratch-off lottery ticket inside. Maybe, maybe someone will "imagine", "make a wish" and have some "good luck" !!

I completely and totally copied this pocket from Mikey's Mom, Ros - she had made a beautiful blue one, and I am going to copy it again - fair warning !! It is not hard to make, but scoring it nicely is a necessity.




Cardstock : Coredinations
Design Paper : Bo Bunny, Basic Grey, K & Co, landofenchantment etsy shop
Ink - Versafine, Ranger
Stamps - TPC, Recollections
Brads - Recollections, Making memories
Coin envelope - Staples
"imagine" - Tim Holtz

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365 Cards - Day 14

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Well, today I made a quick card for 365 Cards, whose theme is Baked Goodness.

For a real taste treat I have a bagel, or a little pudding - none of this real fabulous stuff. *sigh*
Though, once or twice a year I do have a creme brulee...

Today's card is mostly all scraps. I don't do that very often, simply because I have a LOT of paper.

No special techniques here, just a punch, a TH die, a Cuttlebug emboss, that is about it.

Have a wonderful day !

What I can remember for the little details:
Design paper - BoBunny, K & Co, DCWV
Goodie paper & Tickets - madebyJanet etsy shop
Border at top - CassiesCreations etsy shop
Cupcake brad - Recollections
Hugsnug seam binding, hand dyed

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CR84FN17

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Just like everyone else, these colors are really hard for me, but I just had to try this color challenge at CR84FN.

Well, at least I thought they would be hard, but in truth I have anguished more. I focused a bit more on the yellow than on the orange, but only because I would have had to dig through all my fall paper to find some good orange stuff !

and the deets ...
Kraft cardstock - My Mind's Eye
Designer paper - Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, S.E.I.
Digi stamp - Pink Cat
Sentiment - American Crafts
Jewelry cording - stash
Library card, and kraft tag - The Kraft Outlet
Ink - Ranger
Sentiment - American Crafts
Bulldog clip - stash
Bling - stash
Gelly Roll pens

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Papercraft Star 36

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This week at Papercraft Star our challenge is a spring card, using one or more of these colors.

Trifold cards are easy to make, and look just the opposite ! Here is a fun video showing you the steps. I chose this kind of card because I had some really lovely images of birds and thought it would be fun to show off a bunch of them !

Link up your submission at Papercraft Star between now and Sunday night 9:00 Eastern US time, to be eligible for this week's prize.

Dotted cardstock - Bazzill
Background Designer Paper - Prima
Designer paper - landofenchantment etsy shop, K&Co
Leaf stickers - K & Co
Dragonfly brads - stash
Flower - Recollections

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CCCB 47

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City Crafter's challenge this week is "in my pocket", with the only requirement, a pocket !

Not too hard, or too complicated - and I do love my pockets.

This is a real mish-mash of supplies, with paper and brads from lots of different sources.

Design Paper - K & Co, Prima, landofenchantment etsy shop, The House across the Bay etsy shop,
Flower petals - Recollections
Brads - Bo Bunny, Recollections, stash
Button - Stash
Leaf - Bazzill
Punch - Martha Stewart
Stamp - My Favorite Things
Ink - Ranger, Versafine
Jewelry cording
Stickles - Ranger
Hug Snug seam binding, hand dyed
Button - stash

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TKJ 9

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The Kraft Journal's phrase this week is "spring fling."

Every year, about this time, people start talking about springs. I am not so certain how to fling a spring, break a spring, or clean a spring, though I hear people speak of these things often, and I am not so certain I have ever actually seen flowers made from springs, but this is my interpretation of a bouquet of spring flowers.

What ?

Oh, never mind ....

my bad ....


Coin envelope & Tag - The Kraft Outlet
Rub-on bee and bird - 7 Gypsies/The Kraft Outlet

Kraft Cardstock - Recollections
Design Papers - Graphic 45, Basic Grey
Hitch posts, cog, gear, bulldog clip, "spring" letters - Tim Holtz
Ink - Ranger, Gelly Roll pens
Clip - Karen Foster
Wire - Toner
Alpha stickers(flowers) & chain - stash

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Papercraft Star 35

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This week at Papercraft Star we are to use a book, song or movie for our inspiration. Wow - that is a pretty wide range of things, isn't it.

I chose a movie, and it is one of my top three movies of all time, Amelie.

Set in France, this is the story of a lonely girl who performs an amazing act of kindness, becomes involved in a mysterious search regarding photo booths, pulls a very nasty (but necessary) practical joke, relieves a coworker from a stalker while promoting true love, and so so much more. Even gnomes... yup, gnomes. And Zorro.

I used bright colors on my card to reflect the incredible cinematography in this film - one of the prettiest visual films I have ever seen. The film strip reflects one of the major stories of the film. There were hundreds of amazing images and ideas I could have chosen, I could probably use this inspiration for a dozen more cards without thinking twice.

If you haven't seen this film, you are in for such a treat. (While I was recovering from surgery I propped up a little dvd player on my bed and watched this, again, and again.)

Link up before Sunday 9PM at Papercraft Star with your favorite movie, song, book inspiration. This is such a great challenge, one that should be so easy and a challenge you can always fall back on when the mojo is on vacation too !

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And here are the little details:

Cardstock - Recollections
Design Paper - Basic Grey, The House across the Bay Etsy shop
Stamps - Tim Holtz, Inkadinkado, 7 Gypsies
Photos & Film Strip - Tim Holtz
Lettering - Cosmo Cricket
Brads - stash

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City Crafter 46

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City Crafter Challenge this week is a spring fling with this incredible photo inspiration.

I am not so big on spring - love the fall, winter, rain, gloom. But I know I cannot get by this season this year without a couple of spring cards somewhere.

Our niece is having her first baby, and Brie and I are attending a shower for her this Sunday. So, I used the photo inspiration for the baby card I am pretty sure I am expected to create !
I know what sex the baby is, but I am not sharing that with anyone.

A sweet quick little card !

Cardstock - Martha Stewart
Design Paper - Tim Holtz
Baby Pram paper - Art Cult Etsy shop
Hand dyed seam binding - Hug Snug
Ticket - MME
Brads - Recollections
Jewelry cording and button - stash
Distress ink - Ranger
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Tutorial at Papercraft Star

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Today's post, Papercraft Star's Thursday Tutorial, is a little how-to on the vintage seam binding look.


This look is so easy, and so inexpensive to accomplish.



Start with Hug Snug ! 100 yards is only $7.95 plus s&h here at zipperstop.com. While they have over 200 colors in stock, you will probably never use a whole 100 yards of any one color. So, I start with "winter white" and create my own colors.

You will need:
Hug Snug
Craft Sheet or tin foil
Water in a mister
Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels)
And, if you are adverse to tearing things with your teeth, a scissors to snip the binding


Spray well with water, then a little of the glimmer mist. You will need far less of the glimmer mist if you use some water first.

Sop up the beaded color on the mat, and juggle the binding from hand to hand to be certain it is all evenly colored. You can add a second or third color of glimmer mist if you are looking for a special color. OR, the gold mist will leave you with a lovely sheen.

This will work on the Hug Snug, a number of different kinds of ribbons, and lace.

You can scrunch up the binding and leave it to dry overnight, or use your heat tool for a quick dry. The heat tool will shrink the binding very slightly, and also take out a lot of the scrunchy look.

This is the end result on a card - I used the gold glimmer mist on this one.


Don't bother with your big iron to smooth out the

wrinkles, if that is the look you desire. Just pull your ribbon or binding through a hot curling iron. Your ribbon smooths out perfectly.


Don't do this on a day you have major plans - you will look like this til tomorrow !!

AND tomorrow Papercraft Star has their Executive Committee Reveal, which will be me again. I loved this week's challenge, and I will have a movie inspired card for you.

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