Friday, January 9, 2015

Featured Friday - The Fantastic Darnell Knauss!!

That's right! My featured Friday is baaaack from holiday break! I told you all that I had some amazing artists in store for you, and I wasn't joking. 

The fantastically whimsical, one-woman-wonder of a cardmaker named Darnell Knauss made my day by agreeing to be featured on my blog. She's the owner of djkardkreations. If you haven't stopped by her corner of the blogosphere yet, you don't know what you're missing! This firecracker of a lady is probably the most encouraging, kindest soul I've ever had the pleasure to come in contact with. Her creations are always one part humor, the other part pure, raw talent.  She is a master of all things clean, and I'm so jealous of her ability to take an image and really make it POP on a card. 





 Just look at her gorgeous work! You can totally see why I'd be inspired by the fresh, bright designs. 









She is pretty much exactly who I aspire to be when I grow up. Her wit, humor, and penchant for making up hilarious acronyms constantly keeps me smiling.


One such acronym happens to be MACS, which stands for Mutually Admiring CASEing Society. Not only did Darnell agree to be featured, she also is CASEing my work, too! So go check out her blog. As I type, I don't know which work of mine she's chosen to CASE - I can't wait to be surprised!


But why bore you with my meanderings when the infamous Mrs. Knauss can fill you in herself? Here's 7 things you should know about Darnell:



1. How did I get my start in stamping?


I was invited by a coworker to come along to a Stampin’ Up! Workshop. Since I was the kind of person who spent $20-$50 a month on cards to send to family and friends, I thought the concept of making my own cards and saving money (oh, bwhaha) was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Not to mention, fun!



2. What's the craziest/funniest thing I've ever made?


That would have to be this card of a paper-pieced baby with measles (attached). I keep it on display in my Playhouse and every time I look at it, I giggle.







3. If I could be any craft supply, what would I be and why?

Great question, Becca! I guess I’d have to say paper because of all that fondling that goes on.

4. What kind of cards are my favorite to make?

My favorite cards to make are clean and simple and often one-layer. And if I can also make them whimsical or punny, all the better.



5. What are my favorite card-making challenges?

You can find card-making challenges that I enjoy listed on a tab at the top of my blog home page. From those, it’s impossible to pick favorites. That would be like asking me which of the stars are my favorites!



6. What is my least favorite crafting supply?

This question really stumped me. If I try a craft supply and don’t like it, I don’t use it again, so after a dozen years, that aren’t too many supplies in the Playhouse that I don’t love. Oh, what about my wall clock? Can we call that a crafting supply? It’s my least favorite because it goes too fast and I feel like I’ll never be able to get caught up on my NBUS, nor all the techniques I want to try, nor all the DJKASING I want to do!



7. What's your advice for new stampers/bloggers?

I learned over time that you can’t just start a blog and then sit there waiting for people to accidentally drive by and see your cards in the window. My advice for newbies is simple: treat other bloggers like you would like to be treated. Visit, comment, and follow other bloggers whose style you like. Enter challenges, which will get you some exposure. It does take a bit of effort, but the rewards and the friendships that develop are well worth the effort! And don't be afraid to ask questions of more seasoned stampers! We love helping newbies!!
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See what I mean by humor and wit!?! For my CASEd (Copy And Steal Everything) card, I searched and searched through droves of Darnell's creations. There were just so many great ones to choose from that I couldn't decide! I printed off 4 of them and hung their pictures in my craft room where they stared at me until I finally had to select just one. 



After much hemming and hawing, this guy won:


Darnell's Card:


I just adored the bright, fun colors. Most people here know I'm more of a mixed media, distressed type of girl, but it's not because I don't like clean and simple cards, it's because I'm just no good at creating them! This card shows off a perfect example of just how gorgeous clean work can be. It's so bright and fun and all things that are right with the world. 


I wound up making two cards because I was so inspired!


My first card was made using a stencil. I went around the edges with a scoring tool and then I painted the "petals" in with a variety of Perfect Pearls. 



My CASEd Cards



I cut around the edges to give it a cutout side panel, and used a stamp from Verve's "Big Wishes" set to finish it off.


I just loved all the shimmer and shine!

I wasn't quite sure if the cutout panel would work (it flattened nicely after being laid under a couple of books for the evening) so I also made up card number 2:



For this one, I colored in all the petals with Spectrum Noir markers and then outlined them all using a white paint pen. The sentiment is actually from a Papertrey ink set that Darnell had kindly sent me for Christmas! (Thanks, by the way!) 




You can see that I also hand-drew some whisper white doodles on the outskirts, just to fill in some of that space. Ok, ok, it was really to cover up a mistake in coloring outside the lines. ;) 


Remember when I told you that I couldn't do clean and simple. Well these cards turned out to be clean and NOT simple! One thing all those CAS goddesses don't tell you is just how much work goes into making something look so perfect! For me, if I'm distressing and inking something all over, it's no big deal if I make a little boo-boo because I just cover it up with something. You can't do that with CAS cards!! Every inch has to be carefully planned for and thought out! 


So Darnell, here's to you and your perfection. Or something pretty close to it, anyway!


For my readers, will you please stop by djkardkreations and leave Darnell an extra little bloggy love? And if you haven't seen it yet, she's running the 3rd iteration of the NBUS challenge and giving away $250 in gift cards to STAMPlorations - just sayin'... 


Thanks for stopping by! And if you haven't heard about it yet - I have some fantastical BLOG CANDY to give away on my previous post.


68 comments:

  1. Lovely segment Becca! And what an awesome case...I enjoyed reading Darnell's answers, specifically the advice to newbies!

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  2. That was such a fun idea Becca, not seen your Friday post before. Love your ideas board to keep track of all these challenges!! :)

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  3. WOWOHWOWOHWOW, Becca! You did a brilliant job of CASEing my card, not once, but twice!! I am doubly honored!! And I'm really pleased that my card for you brought back happy memories of your beloved Gram. Also, thank you, my goodness, for all those sweet things you said about me AND for promoting my little challenge! Cheers back to you, my friend! You're a star!! Mwah!! Darnell

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  4. Nice to 'meet' you Becca! Loved your interview with Miss D. She's the best, isn't she just??!! I've had the honor and privilege of meeting her, and spending time with her IN PERSON! Yep, I'm blessed. She's as fun, sweet, kind and crafty irl as she is on her blog. Your CASEs of her card are fantastic, and I see that she's tickled with your results. Love the colors you chose, and that you added an extra touch or two. Have a wonderful weekend! Bev

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  5. Loved your and Darnell's posts. Great idea to share. Beautiful CASED cards too.

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  6. What a great idea! Love your CASE'd cards!!

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  7. Oh I love Darnell! She makes me laugh out loud AND I also have a resident brain hamster :) And that's the secret of CAS that no one tells you - they take SO MUCH LONGER than frilly fussy cards because we have to redo them two or three times.

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  8. So happy to meet you! What a wonderful feature and loved hearing all about your crafty adventures at Darnell's blog. Your CASE(s) of Darnell's are beautiful! I love that you cut out the shape on your first card, and the doodles on the second card just look like they SHOULD be there. I had to laugh about Darnell's craziest card - I sooo remember that one!

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  9. I'm your newest follower! Just came from Darnell's blog - she is one of my all time favorite bloggy friends! So witty, and sweet. Had to laugh out loud at her paper pieced baby - must have been made for a child with the measles, right? lol.... Great job of CASEing Darnell's card - love your take on it, especially how you trimmed around it! Anyhow, it's so nice to 'meet' you, and hope you'll pop over to visit my blog! I love new friends, so feel free to click follow!!! Hugs...

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  10. Followed the link from the lovely Darnell's blog too!

    FAB post

    Kathyk

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  11. Wonderful post about Darnell! I really enjoyed reading this and seeing the CASE's - you did a fabulous job on both of them! I like Darnell's comment about the clock - the time flies way too fast in my craftroom! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. I"m over from Darnell's MACS post, visiting you for the 1st time. She's right, you're fascinating. I too, am AWFUL at creating Clean & Simple cards. Sometimes I'm not sure why I try. But I think you've certainly got it down pat. CASEing Darnell ain't easy...you aced it. So glad I dropped by...I'll come again, thank you.

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  13. Darnell is a sweetie for sure - and to top it off, makes great cards too!!!
    I love your CASE of her card! Those colors are so beautiful and what a great design!
    Lynn

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  14. Yay!!! I'm glad that you've brought this back and I'm thrilled that you have chosen this artist to feature!! I think the two of you collaborating together is fantastic idea!! I love both of your sense of humor and showing it in your art as well!! :) I love reading what both of you have to say! LOL!! You've done a stunning job with your CASE my friend!! HUGS

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  15. Becca what a fantastic post!! My first click of the day today and I read through the entire thing. Darnell is truly amazing and such a kind and sweet soul--crazy talented too! I have loved watching her blog followers jump up one by one to almost a million because she is so kind and talented. Great feature. Your Darnell CASE's are amazing, love the artistic feel--very edgy. Have a great weekend!!

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  16. Happy Friday, Becca!! Fantastic Featured Friday with your introduction of Darnell! Love the CASE'd cards and yes--clean & simple is hard!! I've got ink in my fingers constantly, and trying to keep white paper clean--forget about it!! I went over and said HI to Darnell and gave her some admiration--especially with her little playhouse!! I want one of those!! :) XOXO-Shari

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  17. I'm not familiar with Darnell's work, but WOW! What a great interview. :) Off to check out her blog! :)

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  18. Very inspiring post. Love Darnell's work and your CASE is fabulous! xxD

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  19. Another lovely 'Feature Friday' post! I am also a big fan of the lovely Darnell and would happily CASe her work any day! Jo x

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  20. Darnell is definitely one of the sweetest gals around. I loved learning a more about her and your cards are so nice, Becca! Thanks for another fun Friday!

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  21. What a brilliant idea this is, Becca ... and what an awesome feature crafter you chose to CASE ... we are all so blessed to have Darnell in our little corner of blogland! You asked such great, fun questions and your CASEd cards ... they sing to my CAS loving heart! Anita :)

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  22. A wonderful post Becca, great to find out what makes Darnell tick. Love her clean and simple style and must make time to visit her more often. Carol x

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  23. Hello Becca, I have just popped over from the lovely Darnell's blog to become one of your newest followers.
    Darnell's card and your CASE cards are all so beautiful, I especially love the cheery colours.
    Sue xx

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  24. PS Forgot to say how nice your CASE cards were...love what you did and you're so right about the amount of work which goes into a clean and simple card...and those Goddesses make it look so easy!! Carol x

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  25. Glad to have found you from Darnell! Great job CASEing her work - like your work very much.

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  26. Just came over the the wonderful Darnell's to say hello. Love, love, love your CASEd Darnell's card! Anne x

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  27. LOVE the combined energy between you and Darnell!
    Your "Inspiration Station" is a GREAT idea!!

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  28. You girls are FUNNY....& make me giggle...LOOOVED your double take on D's cards...& her answers were great to read:):)

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  29. Hi Becca! I enjoyed your interview on Darnell's post & hers here, you girls are too much fun!! Great CASE of her card too, so bright and artsy!!

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  30. Both of are great. I am delighted that thanks to the internet I was able to meet in my life both you and Mrs. Darnell. You create true art and thank you for sharing it.
    Regards,
    Bozena

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  31. Hello Becca,
    This was a fun interview and posts from the two of you, You chose a beautiful card to case, and you did is justice....Darnell will be thrilled.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  32. Excellent Post Becca. Adore your takes on Darnell's cards.

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  33. Wow.. Becca what a great having a Featured Friday and this is one talented lady... I'll shall pop on over and take a look. Great cards too, from both of you in fact!! Also I would say I'm the same as you, I love mixed media, it feels like home really, but there's something about clean and simple which is so appealing xx

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  34. Hi Becca, I came over from Darnell's blog and what a lovely piece you have here, I'm sure she is thrilled! I had a look around your blog, love your designs & am now a follower...hugs Carole Z xx

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  35. Becca, you did a great job CASEing Darnell's card! What a fun way to learn about talented artists! Darnell does have a bit of wit and humor!! You both did a great job!!

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  36. Oh wow, what an amazing post!! Such a fun interview...LOL the baby with measles :) You did a fabulous job casing Darnell's card!! I love both of them!! They are gorgeous!! I'm so happy to be a new follower!! Have a great evening :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  37. What a fun interview with Darnell, it gave me a chuckle and offered up some great advice. I'm new to blogging so I especially appreciated the parts on what to do in order to attract people to your blog and make friends in the process! Great job CASEing Darnells project, Becca!

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  38. You and Darnell are two peas in a pod - funny and talented. I am a big follower of Darnell and she led me to your blog. Great job of CASEing.

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  39. Love the mini interview! And yes, I did have to laugh some...Darnell always can make one laugh/smile! ;) Your cards are amazing, Becca! Wonderful job CASEing Darnell. :)

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  40. I'm so happy to meet you Miss Becca! You're right - Darnell is one amazing woman! Her sense of humor and wit are so refreshing! I've not seen her 'baby with measles' card before! Totally lost it when I saw it!

    You are one talented young lady! I'm off to sign up as a follower!

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  41. What a fun idea and a worthy participant? I, too, am a first time visitor, but can say you have great ideas and skill and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

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  42. I just came over from Darnell's blog to see what all the CASEing fuss was about. I loved your answers to the questions and hers as well. Of course, lovely Ms. D always has a few funnies to put in there which is what endears her to so many. Your CASE(s) of her card are wonderful, Becca.

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  43. Hi Becca, popping over from Darnell's blog, loved your questions! Great CASE's too, Cathy x

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  44. It's no surprise that you and Darnell have found each other, Becca! You are both very generous in your visits and encouragement. I love your two CASEs! I agree, CLEAN and SIMPLE are both overstating things a bit when it comes to the process, just not the finished look! :P

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  45. It's nice to meet you, Becca. I'm a Darnell follower and read about you on her blog. You did a great job CASEing her.

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  46. What a fun interview! I have "known" Darnell for a while and it was great to learn a bit more about her! Your MACS idea is fabulous! Gorgeous CASEing of her card!

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  47. Your cards and Darnell's card are just great! You did a great job on this post...I enjoyed reading even more about the wonderful Darnell!

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  48. Awesome post, my friend! I LOVE Darnell's work and you did a smashing job CASEing her card. Have a fab weekend!
    hugs, Asha

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  49. What a fab idea, Becca! Love your CASE of Darnell's card - the cut out panel is really clever and so effective. I loved reading about your crafting over at Darnell's - that window frame is so cool! You have a great style and I am now following your blog so that I can keep up with your designs. One of my crafty new year resolutions is to use more mixed media and get messy so I look forward to seeing what you have in store :)

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  50. GREAT post. I have been a "fan" of Darnell for a long time now. You did a great job CASEing her. Have a great weekend!

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  51. So great meeting you, Becca!! Came here from Darnell's blog - enjoyed both your and her posts so much!!!!
    Have to say - hope that poor baby has recovered by now!!!! (...never seen measles THAT bad before!!! LOL!!!!)
    Have a great weekend!!!

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  52. Me again, Becca - have spent a lot of time on your blog now, loved what I saw and have just become your latest follower!!!!

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  53. What a great feature, CASEing each other! And now I have a new blog to follow so I'm doubly happy!

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  54. Fantastic post Becca. And Darnell has done you proud as well. Sorry I haven't been here for a while. Going to see what I missed. Following now so hope to be back more often. Hugz.

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  55. Oh Becca, this is SO FUN!! I LOVE your CASE of Darnell's card and Darnell's of yours. Your addition of doodling is fabulous!! And I so know what you mean about Clean and Simple-it really isn't!! I cannot really do it without making a mistake some how. Throwing mist or paint on a card to save it is my friend!! Or Stickles-they are great too. Cannot wait to see your next addition of the MAC!!

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  56. Fun Blog post, Becca! Your CASE is gorgeous! And, the featured crafter's projects are beautiful! Especially love the CAS Black with white images card! Thank you for sharing!

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  57. Hello Becca. Wonderful idea. Great CASE of Darnell's card.

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  58. Great read Beccy and a lot of laughs and great advice there too. Especially love the measles one lol
    You did a fabulous job of casing Darnell and I can see an awesome STENCIL card coming up soon. Thanks for the lovely compliments on my blog. Hugs Ina

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  59. Wow! You got the all impressive and amazing Darnell to be your fantastic Friday shout out! And what a way to CASE her fabulous card! Twice!!!! Both versions are fantabulous! Love them both! You rock lady!

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  60. Great job on the card! You did it twice and love the bold colours. Too funny about the paper fondling...ummm... that didn't sound right. I would be glitter cos I am that nutty for it

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  61. Hi Becca - after the amazing introduction/interview of you over on Darnell's blog, I *had* to visit, and WOW! You've certainly reciprocated in sharing our much-loved Darnell in wonderful fashion! She definitely is a 'fire-cracker', and from what I see her, so are you! Talented, creative, humorous, engaging and with a personality that shines with positive vibes: you're very much like Darnell! How blessed we are to have two such kindred spirits in our midst. Fabulous post, gorgeous cards, pure delight! How delighted I am to 'meet' you!
    ~c

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  62. Becca - I am with cm I had to come visit you too!!! I love your interview questions and I ABSOLUTELY love the card you Cased and the way you did it - can you say SPECTACULAR!!!! I adore all the vivid, bright colors you used and the absolutely fantastic job you did!!! So impressed with you - I first encountered your blog during a Tops of 2014 post/link brought me there!!! I find you to be sweet, with a big heart, and an example to all of us of one who stamps with her heart!!!

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  63. what a great feature!!! fun to see her work and just LOVE your take on the card!!! gorgeous flower!!!!

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  64. fantastic post and FANTASTIC cased cards... love that you cut around the petals on the front... such a dynamic look and still very CAS! ♥

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  65. Fab post Becca! Darnell is one very, very talented lady! snd so are you! Xx

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  66. Love your cases of Darnell's card, Becca!

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  67. Great post - love your CASE of Darnell's card!

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  68. wooowwww 67 commentator Becca Becca ck ck ck ck you rock lady
    I love all Darnell´s card and your card is adorable too CASE ing all Darnell cards..
    Great post as always sweety
    how did you do to get 67 commentator
    do you visiting them all day
    i cant do that
    beside working half day I have two little boys
    hehe maybe because of that I am not so popular but I am happy to know you darling..
    hugs, Monika

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