Fall handmade treats

 I had so much fun making these treat holders and the recipients liked what I tucked inside: homemade chocolate chip pumpkin loaf. I know...I had you at chocolate chip!

It all started with a simple box measuring 3 inches wide by 1.75 inches deep and 1.75 inches tall finished measurement. The circular Scalloped Blooms dies are ideal for making the front and back as well as for decorating with patterned paper on the front. Tip for the handle: glue it between the box and the scalloped circles on the front and the back for added strength. Although the pumpkin loaf was gone in a jiffy!

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2-for-1 Change it Up Card Layout

Here we go with another 2 for 1 card! Sharing how to use the very same layout with two different product suites. My goal with this is helping us see how to use our amazing products from what we find on Pinterest or in a google search. Change up the greetings, embellishments and patterned paper and it's a whole NEW card! I use this all the time with my monthly card class. And they haven't caught on yet LOL!

Have fun with it.

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Sunflower Fields keep the autumn feeling going all year long!

Loving these warm fall days and visiting the Strom's Farm last week to enjoy the enormous sunflowers set against a bright blue sky! Just love Autumn days even though the sun disappears so quickly out of the sky earlier each day. Still some gorgeous time to spent outside. Our Sunflower Fields paper is a way to enjoy this feeling all year long. Enjoy!

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Hot Foil Happy Birthday

Ooh....some hot foil for you today with one of Wendy's Creative Ambassador cards using Inked Floret. If you like this single background stamp, hop on over to my store and get one before they sell out as it just landed on the Last Chance list. But back to the hot foil....the Classic Greetings hot foil dies are a must have with your new hot foil system with five standard sentiments you will use again and again throughout the year: Happy Birthday, Get Well, Thinking of You, Thank You and Celebrate. This card really shines with the stamped image that is then dry embossed with the tight pattern of the Simply Woven folder. Thank you, Wendy!

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Happy Thanksgiving 2026!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you celebrate "Friendsgiving"? My son first introduced it to me. A shared meal with friends where everyone participates in pulling it together. I wish I loved closer to one of my dear friends, Tamara Bertram at Tamara's Paper Trail, because we'd definitely be doing this! Maybe we flash back to 2021 and do a get together over Zoom? Todays' card came from Tamara in a recent swap and I feel it embodies the spirit of Friendsgiving. Enjoy the rest of the Thanksgiving weekend!

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Pumpkin Patch Days

Yesterday we headed out to our local Pumpkin Patch for a fantastic fall day enjoying a tractor ride, pumpking chucking, go-carts, picking out pumpkins and of course lots of treats. It was a great day and true family tradition. Today's card will set us up for Thanksgiving wishes as we head into the long weekend. Will you be picking up pumpkins this weekend perhaps for decorating or making into a pie? Happy Fall to all!

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Tis the Season for crafting for the holidays

 Some sparkle and joy for the Season that's just around the corner! Us card makers are always a time or two ahead designing classes and cards for events weeks and months out. It's just the way we are. How about you? Do you make December holiday cards all year round to be ready? Having the Pretty Poinsettia stamp set and die bundle available to purchase in July sure helped me get a jump start. This card is for an upcoming bundle class where we'll explore lots of different ways to design with this beautiful flower. Enjoy!

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African Violet Dreams

A truly stunning card by Wendy for our September Stampin' Social Swap! African Violets are a staple in the flower shops and even the grocery store year round as a fairly easy plant to keep so long as you have a sunny window. I find a southern facing window that gets a lot of sun coming in without giving the plant a chill is a great combination and that's what came to mind when I received this card. Enjoy!

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Two-for-One Layouts Week #2

Here's week two of my two-for-one cards featuring a Halloween greeting and a thank you card using the same layout but different patterned papers, embellishments and colours. I kind of like this 2-for-1 gig. It's helping me use up my stash of patterned paper. For the one on the right, I jump right into the Painted Pumpkins Bundle with coordinating Painted Patch paper. That embossing folder is called "Rustic" and is my new go-to as it is a great match for any occasion. Enjoy!

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Monochromatic Inked Floret

 Last month Wendy McQuade was our Creative Ambassador and chose the background stamp Inked Floret to create with. I'm excited to share the first of her collection in soft pink and black and using the Exciting Times stamp set and coordinating punch. Using neutrals and just one other colour puts me in mind of the monochromatic card design and I love it! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us, Wendy.

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Pretty Mosaic Garden

Shout out to Bonnie Sanchez for today's project featuring the new Mosaic Garden Suite Collection featuring delicate flowers and pretty patterns. Even busy patterns can coordinate beautifully when the colour palette is simple and ties together. Really love this card layout with the Tile in the centre which you could change up with any other shape to highight your focal point. Enjoy!

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Adorable Oh My Fright Card

Like this adorable patterned paper? I made it myself using stamps from the Oh My Fright stamp set, some ink, watercolour pencils and a blender pen. Why a blender pen? It helps smooth out the lines from the pencils and gives it a shiny look. So pleased with how this one turned out. One tip I like to give with this look is to have some of your images extended beyond the white layer. And fill in space between larger images with something small like the cluster of stars. Getting ready for Halloween!

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Craft Ink on Embossing? Yes!

Tried something new with the Sunflower embossing folder: I dragged my White Craft Ink pad down the embossed side. This added so much to the layer, don't you think? Would look great on any dark colour. Wouldn't it be great on Basic Black? Love how this turned out as did my Avid Stampers in September when we made this together.

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Fabulous Pretty Poinsettias

This month's Avid class features on of our Online Exclusive products, Pretty Poinesttias. These have soooo much texture with die cutting and embossing in one pass through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine. I see these leaves as perfect for any time of year beyond Christmas Poinsettias. I usually get a red or white one but there are some gorgeous pink variations out each year. A touch of gold in the centre. Enjoy!

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Bringing Happiness and Joy with Harvest Glow

Did you know we have a Product of the Month every single month for just $7 Cdn? Today's card includes the elegant Harvest Glow speciality patterned paper from August 2026. Perfect colours for autumn and for bringing wonderfully happy greetings to one and all for Thanksgiving, Anniversaries, Birthdays or any celebratory occasion!

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Two for One Layout featuring Painted Pumpkins

This month, for my Team Tutorial, I chose a the Oh My Fright Halloween bundle and with a twist, I shared a 2nd card showing the same layout using other products they may have in their stash. What do you think of that idea? Today's bonus card is a thank you featuring Painted Pumpkins. I am enamoured with this bundle for the fabulously useful fence and large pumpkins. Enjoy the two for one!

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Thinking of You with Radiant Sunflowers

I'm a super fan of fall colours in the Sunflower Fields patterned paper pack. My Silver Sister, Shauna Mikuliak created this lovely card for our Sept to Dec catalogue swap. A simple layout that uses up cast off paper / scraps to deliver a great design. Enjoy!

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3D Pop Up Vase Card

 Today's card is a wowzer of a fun fold I call the Pop Up 3D Vase. We're making this at my Avid Stampers class tonight - just a sample of the kinds of over the top cards we tackle in this class monthly. Enjoy!

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Stunning Quilt Card

This Oh - Wow quilt card is a stunner! Thanks for sharing this with us for the recent team social swap. Using two colours, alternate the die cut pieces to get the most out of each pass through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine! I just love all the detail in this card featuring Basic White and Peaceful Pine. Appreciate your talents, Dawn!

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Hello Gourd-geous with Painted Pumpkins for Autumn Decorating

Do you decorate with pumpkins outside for fall? I usually get mine the week before Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October) and place them out until November. Too early and they decompensate quickly! I love the look of fall pumpkins on my front porch as the sun hits them just right and displays the beauty - and bounty of our harvest season. I also keep a basket our various types and bumpy shapes of gourds on my kitchen table. Just cannot resist and today's card is a reflection of this decorating time. Enjoy!

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A web of fun filled spiders

Ok come on....aren't these spiders just the cutest? From the Web of Fun Dies, I made this card for our team stampin' social swaps earlier this month. I was playing with the Hot Foil System, specifically the Echoes of Detail dies, and thought in silver heat foil it would be the perfect backdrop for the spiders on this Halloween card. The greeting comes from another set and just compliments it wonderfully. Enjoy!

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Fall Banner courtesy of the Everyday Arches Dies

This week we resumed the Elmira Community Living club with our monthly project. We made this adorable banner that stands up on a table or shelf. It features the Everyday Arches dies, Party Alphabet dies and the new Lustruous Leaves Hot Foil Dies. There's not hot foiling on this project but the set of dies has 5 different leaves and 3 of each one which made die cutting 120 leaves out for the participants a breeze! I will be using those dies forever. Hope you like this different take on a card inspired by Maureen Rauchfuss' presentation at our September Twelve Days of the Holidays Global Inspiration Stamp Team event. They LOVED putting this together!

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Radiant Sunflowers pop up fun fold

Last weekend we held our SSS Super Team Event where about a dozen Canadian Demonstrators came together virtually to put on a day of presentations for our team members. We each make a card and demonstrate how to make it from start to finish over a private Facebook group. Look forward to these every new catalogue launch as do the 260+ members in the group! This was my card featuring a fun fold pop up when opened. I've loved the community we've built over the 15+ events we've held since Septmber 2020. Enjoy!

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Welcoming new baby cards

Our family circle is just bursting with new arrivals! I posted earlier in the week that our family welcomed twins, and between August and December, several of my friends and family members are becoming grandparents along with a friend of my daughter's welcoming their second. So out came my crochet needles and multiple trips to the store to pick up yarn in varying colours. By end October, I'll have made 7 baby blankets and included a variation of this card with them. So excited to share in everyone's joy. Welcome to the world little ones!

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Twist: Use the de-bossed side of the Seasonal Cheer Mini Embossing Folder

Today's card features the debossed side of the Seasonal Cheer mini embossing folder with leaves. Looks just a wee bit different, eh? It was by design - not an oversight and I kind of like how different it looks. I added a couple of hand cut out leaves as my focal point. I absolutely love creating for fall and using earthy autumn colours like Cajun Craze, Mossy Meadow, Pecan Pie and Golden Glow. Warms my heart!

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Surprise: We welcomed twins into the family!

A joyous occasion for our family: My daughter and her husband welcomed twins! How wonderful it was a boy and a girl. No one in the family knew it was going to be twins so a great surprise to be meeting my newest grandbaby at the hospital on September 6th only to find out there were two babies. These are the cards I made using my favourite - and long retired - All for Baby stamp set and die bundle. The colours are a match to the baby blankets I crocheted for them. Feeling blessed indeed!

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Softly Woven embossing feels like fabric!

The tight embossed pattern provided by the Softly Woven embossing folder is ideal for creating a fabric look to your paper. First I stamped the floral image from Radiant Sunflowers all over a piece of Cloud Cover cardstock then embossed the layer. Wow factor for sure! I added a simple greeting from the same stamp set and some rich jute twine to complete the look. Enjoy!

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Paper Puzzling is a thing!

Get your Fab on with these bright bold fall colours: Calypso Coral, Secret Sea and Pool Party. These paper is so darling with autumn images. It cut a piece of 3" x 4" into 3 equal vertical strips then pieced them back together onto Cajun Craze leaving a wee bit of space between the strips. I'm puzzling all the time! Wishing you a fabulous day!

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Puffy Sticker DIY

Time for another Halloween card! This time using the Rounded Rectangle punch on various patterns from the Frightfully Fun patterned paper. Those cut kitties and ghosts have stolen my heart. Did you know you can die cut your own "puffy" greetings and images? I did this by adding a small piece of our Foam Adhesive Sheet to the back of Basic Black cardstock then ran it through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine to die cut out the "Boo" salutation. Works perfectly with nice cuts and the negative pieces pull right out. Boo to you!

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Zig Zag Paper Piecing Technique

Learned the Zig Zag Strip paper piecing technique by Heidi Collins over at On Y Go Stamping. All the strips are the same length, with varying heights. Add them to one side (in this case the bottom edge) and trim then add the leftovers to the opposite side (in this case the top edge). With that, I added a greeting, bow and embellishments to finish the card. Enjoy!

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Sketched Artisan Garden paper for a whole bunch of cards!

Catching up on some "thinking of you" cards and what better way to send one than with florals. To make a whole bunch of these, I used the Artisan Sketched Garden patterned paper: it's all black and white floral images just waiting for colour to bring them to life! I use my Stampin' Blends in coordinating Hydrangea Hue, Peaceful Pine and Golden Glow to keep with an autumn theme. How would you add colour to yours?

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#thecreativeinkster #stampinupcanada #handmadecards #artisansketchedgarden #stampinblends

Distress your projects with Two-Tone cardstock

Like the distressed look? Pair our two-tone cardstock with the sanding blocks. Two-tone cardstock has a white core so that when you lightly sand it - especially a raised embossed layer - your card instantly has more dimension with the white showing through. I'm loving these Simply Leaves stamps with coordinating punch for quick fall or masculine cards. Enjoy!

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Tip: Decorate your envelopes with left over coordinating paper

Do you decorate your envelopes? I keep my envelopes separate from my cards on the shelf so typically don't do this unless I'm sending the card right away. But really, how cute is it to take some of that left over paper (all you need is a 2" x 6" strip), glue it to the envelope flap and trim it off. Nice finish, eh?

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Slim Line card to show off Radiant Sunflowers

 Opted for a slim line card to show off at the Radiant Sunflowers bundle class later this month. Pretty Peacock is a great backdrop for Golden Glow - brings to mind those brilliant blue skies we see in early Autumn. Stamp and die cut out your sunflowers then add them in slighly a different orientation for each to add even more texture to your card. Placed them on an embossed layer so they really pop off the page with or without stampin' dimensionals! Enjoy!

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Hot Foil Garden Silhouette

You know we offer a Hot Foil system now, right? And I'm loving it! This was one of the first cards I made using a floral image and then die cutting the large balloon out of it. Silver foil on Bubble Bath cardstock paired with 5/8 inch Cloud Cover ribbon is so soft and beautiful. This was my submission to the TLC Tutorial Bundle Co-op for August. So pleased with how it turned out!

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Click to learn all about the Stampin' Up! Hot Foil System

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Sunflowers a sign of happiness, loyalty, adoration and faith

Sunflowers are universally recognized as a sign of happiness, loyalty, adoration, and faith. Very fitting, I think, as we harken back to September 11, 2001. The men and women who served each other on that day and in the aftermath remind us of how a simple kindness showed love and friendship to our neighbours near and far.

Today's card includes the coordinating patterned paper with the die cut from Radiant Sunflowers - new out in the Sept to Dec catalogue. We'll be making this at Monthly Card class. Have a peaceful day.

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Seasonal Cheer and Simply Leaves are a great combo!

How versatile is the Simply Leaves stamp set and punch bundle? Just lovin' using it on my seasonal cards at this time of the year. It matches well with the leaves on the embossing folder from the Seasonal Cheer Mini folders trio set which is a 3" x 6" folder. I've punched out the leaf with some patterned paper this time and on the other two, I used the vein stamps that come with the stamp set to add a little something to them. Easy peasy sweet card for any occasion. Enjoy!

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Lovely Eyelet Corners

When I get a set of dies which I’ll use without their corresponding stamp set – like the Beautifully Celebrated ones, I put them up on a magnetic board so I see them and ultimately USE them! I forgot that this set of dies has these amazing eyelet corners. The die cuts two corners at a time. Looks great as a frame for this beautiful card, right? A very pretty way to dress up a project. Tip: before die cutting, add some adhesive sheet to your cardstock then die cut it out. Makes adhering it so much easier. Enjoy!

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Non-traditional Simply Leaves for fall

All fall leaf cards don't need to be red, green, yellow, rust in colour! Today's card features the Simply Leaves Stamp Set and this soft colour palette of Lost Lagoon, Soft Sea Foam and Smoky Slate. There are 2 sizes of leaves in the stamp image options. The larger one - used in the centre of my card - coordinates with the Simple Leaf Punch if you're so inclined. I like the "simple" and elegant look of stamping it on white cardstock followed by cutting it into 4 equal pieces then layering on black. Really helps make it pop. Enjoy!

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Inlaid embossing technique with the Rustic 3D folder

Today's card is my take on the inlaid embossing technique. To achieve this look, either do it the simple way or the simpler way! I chose the simpler way by embossing a piece of pretty designer series paper with a "tight" folder. By that I mean an embossing folder with texture all around and no large open spaces. This gives the patterned paper a flexible and almost fabric look and feel. Opted for the Rustic 3D folder with the Painted Patch paper. Enjoy!

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Frightfully Fun White Gable Boxes

Been having a blast participating in the Global Inspiration Stamp Team's Twelve Days of the Holidays (September 1 to 12). Almost halfway through with a different presenter each day. For this weekend, we are each decorating the White Gable Boxes for our chosen holiday. And, I had to choose Halloween with the Frightfully Fun Suite Collection for some spooky cool fun.

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Just Do It: Send birthday wishes

It's birthday week! The week when I look through my list of friends and family celebrating birthdays this month and send out cards. Big month! Do you send birthday cards in the mail? I really like to. It's so nice to open the mailbox and find a handwritten card that says, "I'm thinking about you on your special day!". If you're a card maker, I hope you join me in spreading happy birthday greetings this month.

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Simply Leaves starting to drop

We're nearing the end of the first week of September and I'm wondering if the leaves have started to drop in your neighbourhood? It's a sure sign of the change of seasons coming, isn't it? For today's project, I've opted for a sprinkling of the Simply Leaves punched shapes in coordinating colours with the leaf veins stamped on. This card is a standard size and WOW! So many of these punched leaves adorn the front layer! It's a simple and simply beautiful layout. Enjoy!

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Easy cut angles for an impactful card with the pretty Bloom Boutique paper

Bringing a pretty card for your viewing today. Lots of layers and embossing beautiful dimension. Tip for getting those angles right: Cut your patterned paper to 3.75 x 5.00 inches. Cut on a diagonal from top left to bottom right. Push them back together on your trimmer and cut again on a diagonal from top right to bottom left. Layer these onto cardstock measuring 4.00 x 5.25 inches. And that's how we get this done!

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Pumpkins in Cloud Cover and Secret Sea? Oh my!

Was going for some non-traditional autumn colours with today's creation: Secret Sea and Cloud Cover on a bed of Basic White. The hues of blue bring to mind how the sky looks during this time of year when thick clouds fill the sky and the sun pushes through. Love this look! Happy to share one of my swap cards designing from the September to December catalogue with Painted Pumpkins. Enjoy! Tip: As we don't offer an ink pad in Cloud Cover, either use Versamark for a lighter watermark look with that stamping OR buy the Cloud Cover ink refill and create your own ink pad using our uninked stampin' spots.

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Softly Woven embossing over your greeting adds texture without bulk

Making and sending thank you cards this week to spread some gratefulness. And it's fall...when I pull out the traditional colours like: greens, bright yellows and earth tones. This card ticks all those boxes: Garden Green, Darling Duckling, Early Espresso and Pecan Pie with a touch of linen thread, a NEW embossing folder, Softly Woven, available to purchase starting today. Tip: Stamp your greeting on the layer you'll be embossing first then emboss it. Adds texture without bulk. Try it!

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Saying thanks with Painted Pumpkins

Crafting with my Team for our monthly social on September 10 with this card. I’m always drawn to fall images whether it’s pumpkins, squirrels, leaves, you name it so the Painted Pumpkins were first on my list from the new catalogue launching tomorrow. The paper is oodles of fun to play with and includes images that can be hand cut or used with the coordinating dies. And look at that Calypso Coral copper-edged ribbon. Enjoy getting ready for fall!

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Beautiful Radiant Sunflowers

Been holding off…but really, I’m ready for fall creating. This was my creation for one of the card swaps I’m in featuring new products from the September to December catalogue. The base is Golden Glow with the Rustic 3D folder – a new must-have. The flowers are from the Radiant Sunflowers stamp and die bundle. I stamped in Pecan Pie (vs black) and carefully coloured in with my Stampin’ Blends so as to not run the colours. This floral spray is die cut out and layered up on a circle cut from the Spotlight on Nature dies. To get an easy ribbon accent, I wrapped the Mossy Meadow checked ribbon around the layer and adhered it to the back then added a tied bow with a mini glue dot. Gets my autumn crafting off to a fabulous start!

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