Thursday, July 1, 2010

4th of July (cane) parade :)

2 years ago i was celebrating my daughter bat-mitzvah in Manhattan, we landed at the airport on 4th of July and ran straight to the shore line to see NYC fireworks, it was wonderful!! a sight to remember! although it was so rainy and we ran with umbrellas everyone was happy and the celebration was everywhere!

i wish i could come every 4th of july!
for me, America is fun, vacation and joy, when i come to that country i walk along the streets, all smiles. (let's forget all politics etc)

For this occasion i would like to make a special gift celebration! a blog candy!
for those that do not know what blog candy is - you can't eat it, or unwrap it, but - YOU can win it!
I am giving away 3 freebies - one of them is for everyone, and 2 of them are only for ones leaving a comment in my blog.

1. for everyone! A free tutorial for making a USA flag in my PolyPediaOnline site, just join the mailing list if you haven't yet done so and an email with instructions how to download the file will be sent to you. already joined? an email will be waiting for you in your mailbox.
2. Two beautiful patriotic keychains with stars, flags and a puffy heart bead from my personal stash - 2 of you can win it!
3. A raw USA millefiori flag cane sent to your home address, you can create anything you have in mind!

So here’s the deal. Blog Candy is now open and will close on 4th of July at midnight with a winner being announced on Monday, July 5th. once the winners are picked, i will post it here and they need to reach out to me through my email within 48 hours or another winner is picked.

Leave a comment on this post to enter the raffle.
About the content of your comment - i want to know more about the place you live in! wheather it's america or another place on the planet - maybe, someday, i will be able to tour the world, and this is your way of giving out personal tips :)
please tell me something about your home town, a special place you have visited, a tourism attraction - anything!

In less than 2 weeks i am visiting Paris and London with my family, we love to travel and it's so fun to do it together as a family.

so... what are you waiting for? add your comment and you may win a flag cane/a patriotic keychain!

Happy 4th of July!

49 comments:

  1. What a fun idea and thank you for the tutorial. I do live in America and love the Celebration tied to The 4th of July. I am in California and we plan to go out to the coast where they shoot the Fireworks off the end of the pier out into the ocean. I turn into a little kid every time I watch the fireworks :-)

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  2. Thank you for being the 1st! i've never been to the west coast, i guess we will do it on my Son's bar-mitzvah LOL :)

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  3. The best holiday of the year!!
    As you know...I love your Tutes!!
    I have almost all of them!

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  4. I love the red-white-and-blue keychains! And of course you can take them to Paris with you, where the flag colors are blue-white-and-red! And you'll be right in step with the Union Jack in London! Thank you for the tutorial.

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  5. the free flag tut is so nicely done. thank you. :)

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  6. what a wonderful tutorial and your keychains are awesome. I live in the US, California's central valley and hope some day to visit YOUR country...a birthright trip so to speak. We do our fireworks celebration on the street we live. we all gather round, place a ladder in the street and share our firewoks show. it is fun.

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  7. Hello Iris, I live in Kentucky, USA. I guess we are most known for having the KY Derby (horse racing) and several weeks of activities. Also Mammoth Cave which is an adventure everyone should take part in at least one. Also this is where we have our Polymer Clay Retreat each year. We have it in October and the leaves on the trees are wonderful color this time of year. Weather goodness from one extreme to the other. This is a very brief description of a beautiful state.
    Thank you for asking,
    Kathy

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  8. hi iris,

    i live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The famous landmark mountain of Pikes Peak is majestic to see from the lower altitudes and fun to drive up to the top.

    a few of my favorite places to visit in town is a local art/florist shop called Rich Designs (www.richdesigns.com) They have the most spectacular art from local artists and they also create the most amazing flower arrangements. Some of the arrangements go to another tourist attraction the Broadmore.

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  9. Thanks for such lovely thoughts about our wonderful country. Thank you also for sharing the flag cane tutorial. I love your work and would love a chance to win the keychain or cane. July 4th, Independence Day is also my Dad's birthday, so it's always a special double celebration for our family. Have a wonderful day, Hugs and smiles, Sue C

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  10. whoops the broadmoor
    http://www.broadmoor.com/

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  11. Oh, I forgot to tell you something about where I live. I live in the middle of the US, in the middle of the State of Illinois (pronounced Ill-i-noy, the "s" is silent, it's an Indian word). Here where I live, the main scenery is corn and soybean fields as far as the eye can see, LOL. We actually live out in the country, 3 miles from a tiny town of 2700 people. We do not farm ourselves, but live surrounded by farms. This year our property is surrounded by soybeans. It is so pretty in the summer with vibrant greens everywhere. It is hot and humid here in the summer and cold and humid in the winter. It is summer right now. The farmers have had a good early start to planting this year. We have an old wives tale/saying that if the "corn is knee high by the 4th of July" it will be a good crop. The corn is already as tall as I am at 5'3", so obviously it has hit that knee high mark this year. I so enjoyed visiting with you at CFCF when we were both there. Enjoy your travels. Smiles and hugs, Sue C

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  12. Blog Candy what a grand way of getting to know your readers. Thank you for the tutorial. I will be using it with my grandchildren this weekend.

    I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of Washington State, USA. Port Townsend is a Victorian town with a large art community. There is tons of visual arts, music and dance here. For an artist it is a great place to live. It is rural yet close enough to the city of Seattle to fill your shopping needs. I would be glad to host you if you ever get this far west.

    Our family celebrates this holiday in a big way. It starts today and lasts until the 5th with family coming in from all over the USA. We have our own firewowrks show and always watch the telly for the big shows. I like to have arts & craft projects going for the kids and have a history story telling time for them also. The children need to be taught what the holiday is really about. Not just fireworks and food.
    Thank you for allowing us to share in your world. Illaya

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  13. a comment by Tejae Floyde (for some reason approving it gives me an error)

    hi iris,

    i live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The famous landmark mountain of Pikes Peak is majestic to see from the lower altitudes and fun to drive up to the top.

    a few of my favorite places to visit in town is a local art/florist shop called Rich Designs (www.richdesigns.com) They have the most spectacular art from local artists and they also create the most amazing flower arrangements. Some of the arrangements go to another tourist attraction the Broadmore.
    http://www.broadmoor.com/

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  14. Hi there. I live in a tiny village, nestled in a mountainous valley in sunny South Africa. A beautiful, tranquil place surrounded by nature - a boon for creativity! South Africa is a very special place - warm climate, warm people and wonderful places to visit.
    I have recently started creating jewellery in polymer clay and have found your wonderful creations and tutorials so inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for the holidays!

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  15. Ciao! :)
    you already know how much I adore your work :) thank you for this nice surprise and for the free tutorial.
    I am german but I've been living in Italy for the last 16 years, so whenever you will come to Italy or you want to travel Germany I have plenty of suggestions.
    I'm originary form south Germany, Bavaria (yes...Beer and Bretzel and Weisswurst LOL), I used to live close to the mountains and if you go there take a car and drive along the "romantische Strasse" - romantic road - it's a road that connect a lot of tiny villages and ancient towns with castles and nice views.
    If you come to Italy - I live in the Milano area and the Dome-church is a must! few people know it but you actually can go to the top of the roof of the dome and walk around up there. the best view ever :)
    Have fun on your holiday, mine will be in the US this summer - we'll drive from Dallas to Memphis to New Orleans to visit friends, so yes, I will definitely make myself some US flag pendants!
    xo Leila

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  16. Hola Iris,
    I live in Madrid - Spain- where the sunlight is wonderful (and the hot weather!)We do not know as much as the Americans about polymer clay but we enjoy it very much!. You can not miss Spain in you next trip to Paris and London if you appreciate healthy food and wine! And we are on sales now (regularly, we are cheaper than Paris and London). You will have fun!

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  17. Hi Iris
    You know this couldn't be any more perfect, I am attending my very first 4th July Village fair in Diggle,Greenfield, Oldham.(u.k) and this will be perfect as the lady that has organised the event is from America she will absolutly love this design and bring a bit of America to England for the day.
    Plus you mentioned coming to London I recently went to the o2 arena to see Bon Jovi play we even got to see they play on the roof and get a picture from a moving taxi (poor mar he must have gone deaf that day with 4 screaming women)wow what an experience, I'm so excited I cant wait to try out the tutorial and see the look on Britt's face.
    Thank you thank you thank you.
    :)

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  18. Thank you so much for the tutes. I buy as many of yours as I can.I live in the GREAT state of ALABAMA home to University of Alabama, and the University of Auburn. My home is about 15 minutes from the Talladega race track that host two wonderful races a year.I think I got so involved in Polymer because of your Tutorials I have purchased. Any time your in Alabama give me a shout out and we will have some real fun!!!!!!

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  19. Hello Iris,
    Thank You for the flag tutorial. Always excited to see all the new ones that you have to offer. I live here in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, in the mountains. Beautiful country side full of color and rich in history. We are about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. We will be celebrating the 4th in downtown New Kensington. Will have lots of fun watching the fireworks, listening to live bands, eating free food and paroosing the craft stands.:) Happy 4th to all and as always Happy Crafting and lots of hugs. :)

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  20. Hi I love all yout tutorials, so here I go.
    My name is Emily I am a Mexican American my people are very hard workers and very , very family oriented, Family always comes first, I have been married 31 yrs to a German , Took my Family a while to get use to that, but they love him now, I have two Beautiful Daughters 28yrs and 20yrs , also a Beautiful Grandaughter, she love to do crafts so when I started doing clay well she to is addicted, she gives me so many ideals for clay. Hoping to go to hawaii to visit my 20yr old she lives there with her husband who is in the Marines and stationed there, I also have been to Vietnam about 15 yrs ago on a Mission LOVED it there people were so great. I was born in Beautiful SanAntonio Texas, but live in Rockford Illinois.
    Thanks again for your Great Tutorials.
    Emily A. Montelongo Gross
    Happy 4th of July

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  21. thank you everyone! i really enjoy reading everything you write - it's so interesting to learn about other places! :)

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  22. I love your American Flag cane. All of your work is fantastic...been a fan for quite some time. I live in Indiana, USA I agree with you about the excitement that surrounds our Independence Day holiday! My family celebrates it by having a cookout, swimming and playing games with the kids and grandkids and then enjoying a great fireworks show that night. Fun, fun, fun.....

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  23. I'm so glad you enjoy the 4th of July festivities. They really are a lot of fun. Speaking of fun; thanks so much for this fun new blog candy. I have to admit I've never had blog candy before; is it fattening? Hee, Hee!!! As you know, I am a big fan of your work, and I love all your pieces. Thank you for sharing so many of your great projects, and thank you for this fun event! Here's hoping. Barbara

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  24. I grew up in Philadelphia - the original home of independence day. It was fun being in a city with so much history. I had moved away by the time of the bicentennial but I was there for a visit (1976) and the city was so decorated and proud of itself. Banners and flags everywhere. My mother (an artist) was a part of a special exhibition that later traveled to the Smithsonian. While I live in warm, sunny, southern california now I still feel connected to that old original city of mine.
    susan

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  25. Thank you, Iris! I'm not american, but I like very much the flag cane! Thank you for this blog candy and I hope to win! Greetings from Italy! I live in a little town in the south, Ginosa, few km from Taranto! What I like of my land? The sea and the food!!! Rossana

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  26. Iris, I love your new tutorials, as I do all your work! I'm also an American and live in the beautiful state of Washington! It's called the Evergreen State but you wouldn't necessarily know that from where I live where it's dry and desert-like with little rain.

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  27. Iris,
    I currently live in the state of Virginia, but I was born and raised in the state of Washington. Oh if you ever get to go there, you will be amazed at the beauty of it.I went back to visit in the summer and my brother took me for a ride to see Mt.St Helens. When we got to a good spot,we got out and looked around, and I swear I could see forever. There was also a feild of wild dasies, and I took pictures of my daughter (she was 11 months then)sitting in the middle of this field, and it was nothing but glorious blue skies and the mountain behind her. The spot where we were we could also see Mt Adams & Mt Rainier. When the pictures were dveloped, there was one with Mt. St. Helens blowing a puff of smoke.It is green and lush everywhere. It does rain a lot, but It wouldn't be as beatiful without all that rain. The fall is just as pretty with color everywhere.Winter always promises snow, and spring is blooming with all the new flowers and trees getting their leaves back. Washington will always be my favorite because I think God put the beauty of each season into one place.

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  28. Dear Iris,

    I can't afford your tutorials, unfortunately, so it's such a treat when you release a new free one. Thanks so much! I learn a lot with them and I am always inspired by your talent. Thanks once again! Fabiola

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  29. Iris -- I love working with the tutorials I've purchase from you and sharing your comments and Utube demonstrations with my neighbor, who doesn't work with polymer clay, but is from Israel and loves sharing with me.
    Pat

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  30. Blog candy! What a lovely thought. I love the flag tutorial and will download it when I get home. As for where I live, I'm a southern belle from Mississippi. Land of magnolia trees and pine forests. It's beautiful here but hot in the summer. But in the winter when everybody else is freezing, it is barely cool here. My family celebrates the 4th of July with a cookout at my daughter's house then a drive out to the reservoir to watch the fireworks.

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  31. I live in the Seattle area of Washington. July 4th is a BIG holiday here. There are celebrations every where here. My favorite is the hugh show of fireworks over the Union bay in Seattle. For this coming years 4th, the City of Seattle couldn't afford the money to buy the fireworks, so the business and people who live here donataed their own money to purchase the fireworks. We usually go to seattle to watch from a park there, but this year I will be watching from my tv in my living room.

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  32. I live in Lapland, Finland... but am actually British! So either way, I don't personally fly the USA flag... but I am sure it would come in useful for friends who are over there! :D

    The tutorial will be very helpful thank you!

    A nice idea! Thanks Iris.

    An idea... how about an IRIS cane (my favourite flower and your name of course!)

    Greetings from Sodankylä!
    arcticrainbow.blogspot.com

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  33. I like you had a wonderful 4th of July experience. I flew in to DC the morning of July 4, bought an American flag and stayed in the mall all day talking to people, singing, smiling, eating and later that night shared in the fireworks and music. An experience I will never forget. Thanks for sharing your American flag with us. HAPPY 4th OF JULY.

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  34. In the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where I live there are lots of firework venues. This year we'll probably see them on both Saturday night and Sunday -- Yipee.
    If you have heard of the movie "On Golden Pond" then you have seen one of our pretty lakes as it was shot here on Squam Lake.
    Where can the Flag cane project be downloaded from? When I click on the DOWNLOAD-Free logo all I get is a new window with the same picture.

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  35. Thanks for the flag tutorial! My dad was in the Air Force until I was 17. I loved living on base and going to all the celebrations they offered on base for the 4th. I miss it every year. They would have planes we could go inside and military tanks etc. It was a kids delight!

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  36. Thanks a lot for the tutorial! I just love your fantastic work =)
    My name is Rita and I live in Sweden with my husband and my dog. My son lives in a small town nearby. If you ever visit Sweden, please let me know, I would be pleased to have you as a guest.
    Thank you so much for sharing all those lovely tutorials!
    I wish you a very nice summer!

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  37. Hello Iris! I was also in NYC two years ago for holidays but I wasn't as happy as you! While almost all the people were celebrating 4th of July, I was lying in bed at the hotel... too tired to go to see the fireworks...We had walked a lot for 3 days...Well, we could see the show on TV ;-)
    By the way, I am from Mallorca (Spain), a very beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea. This is the place you & family must visit if you want to see the best sand beaches and little rocky creeks with transparent water. You will also like the cute and peacefull villages in the mountain.
    Of course, thank you for your wonderful tutorials.
    A very big hug from Maite

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  38. I loved reading all the comments and seeing where your readers live! I live in a northern suburb of Chicago, on Lake Michigan. In fact, I just returned from an hour-long morning walk along the shore, picking up sea glass and enjoying the cool lake breezes. (It's 8:00 a.m. here, but I know the post will not show our local time.) Our town has a 4th-of-July parade and a traditional fireworks display. When my children were small, they would decorate their tricycles with red, white and blue crepe paper and streamers; tie their favorite stuffed animals to the back of their bikes; and participate in the "kid and pet" portion of the parade. In recent years, our synagogue has had a float in the parade, and we've passed out American and Israeli flags to the bystanders. (For Andy Griffth fans, picture a Jewish Mayberry.) My plan for today? To buy some sparklers and some of the excellent sweet corn available right now. I wish everyone a happy and meaningful 4th of July!!!

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  39. Thank you for your tutorial and the many ways you reach out to the polymer community. I live in central Pennsylvania. It is a place of rolling mountains and valleys and is very scenic. The people are friendly. In the countryside, you will find Amish and Mennonite communities and what we call the "Pennsylvania Dutch" influence in our cooking and arts, i.e. - quilts. Harrisburg, the state capital, has one of the most beautiful capital buildings in the nation and I would recommend you visit if you get a chance.

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  40. Thank you for your wonderful words about America. And how generous to share your bounty.

    Elizabeth

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  41. Iris, this is a great idea. I love your flag tut. I have a lot of your tutorials and really love them. I live in Sun City West, Arizona and it's 112 here today so I stay in and do clay. This is a retirement community. We have 7 golf courses, 5 pools and lots of really nice people. Great place for retirement. Have a good time on your trip and a Happy 4th of July to you.

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  42. What a great idea. I love the 4th of July with the picnics, the fireworks and the family gatherings.
    It's a great tute.

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  43. Iris this is such a fun contest and I enjoyed the story on your Blog about it ! I have been following your Blog and Enjoing your Designs and Tutorials for a couple of years Now and I am always impressed with all of it. I think we may also have a mutual Friend ~ Jana Roberts Benzon ? I live in Utah and don't see her much because she is always on the go and I am very honored to be able to call her a Friend, She is a Great Person and a Fabulous Designer !
    Anyway, Thanks again : )
    Kellee P

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  44. Traveling is so much fun! I live 1 hr from New Orleans, a site to see for sure! Have fun, been to Paris & London, what a flight! Flying low enough over Ireland to see what a beautiful country it is!

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  45. I live in beautiful Ohio - a very small town on the west central side. I'm celebrating a very quiet 4th of July - but will be able to watch the fireworks from my porch tonight!

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  46. I live in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Yes there is a city called Cucamonga. It is in Southern California. I live one hour away from the beach, the desert, and the mountains so I think it is an ideal location. Our weather is 5-10 degrees warmer than Los Angeles in the summer and 5-10 degrees colder in the winter. Our local baseball A team is the Quakes and their stadium is called the Epicenter which is appropriate since our city sits on the San Andreas fault line. Fireworks are illegal in our city but the city puts on a beautiful display at the Epicenter. There is also a display at our community college. We can see both from our home which is at the base of Cucamonga peak in the San Gabriel Mt range. I love the city I live in, it is clean, beautiful, and centrally located.

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  47. Thank you for another stunning tutorial and the chance to own some of your amazing artwork! Your tutorials are always fantastic!
    I live in Maryland, within an hour or so of Washington DC, but we will be staying home with nervous pets and enjoying the celebrations on TV. We have several parrots and two dogs - none of which enjoy the holiday! We live in a quieter area in the southern part of the state where we are surrounded by woods and various Amish/Mennonite farms. It's so nice to see horse- drawn buggies on the roads here daily, as a reminder of a much calmer, quieter and simple way of life.
    Again, many thanks for your kindness and generosity of sharing your life, artwork and skills with all of us.

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  48. I live in Jackson NJ and our claim to fame is Six Flags Great Adventure. We also seem to be known as "the country" for all the new yorkers who move here.

    Great tutorial! Happy 4th!!

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  49. Good Morning Iris,
    Thank you so much for the tutorial. I am in Columbus, Georgia, USA. AKA The South. LOL One thing here is the southern hospitality. It is noticeable right away. This is a big military city, we are within a few minutes of Ft Benning. Things to do, there is a Naval museum. The Columbus Museum has a lot of the history of Columbus, pretty interesting stuff. For the 4th down at the riverwalk along the Chattahoochee River every year they have a celebration, tons of food, and fireworks. We usually park in the parking garage and walk to the very top to see the fireworks display.

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