Introducing... Good Thinking: Renewal!


 


With on-trend typography designed by Marcella Hawley, Good Thoughts: Renewal will end your search for "just the right" rejuvenating words! This all-sentiment set measures 4" by 6" and is loaded with 16 images. Take a deep breath in, exhale out and stamp up some serenity. Now doesn't that just feel better?

Crafting is my therapy.  If I've had a bad day or even if I'm tired, I always feel better after I have sat down at my desk and created something... anything!  Sometimes it's just sitting down and pulling out some of my many neglected products that gets my energy going.  So this week, I chose to grab a Ranger tag and have some fun with my Distress Inks.

I started out with large manilla luggage tag and some "Orange Marmalade", "Dried Marigolds", "Worn Lipstick" and "Festive Berries" Distress inks, wiped them on to my craft mat, spritzed them with water and dragged my tag through the inks and voila!  A multi-coloured, vibrant tag! I added some "Salty Ocean" ink after the fact!

I stamped the gorgeous sentiments from the Good Thoughts: Renewal stamp set and let them soften as I added more inks and water to create my tag.   I even used those darling feathers from the Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1 stamp set!

To finish off my tag, I attached some inked up seam binding ribbon to match my tag colours and some twine through the hole at the top and then added a gorgeous vintage style brad to hold everything together.  I curled the twine around the end of my tweezers and applied some heat from my heat gun to get it to stay curly - cute right?

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are enjoying all the amazing reveal days for Power Poppy!  Happy hopping everyone...
Today the Bloom Brigade is stamping out some serenity and they'd love to share a bit with you! 
Allison Cope -- you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Katie Sims
Kathy Jones 
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Join us tomorrow for a fabulous blog hop!
~ Ally ~

Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy  (Good Thinking: Renewal, Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1)
cardstock:  Bazzill
large luggage tag: Ranger
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Ranger Distress, Memento
ribbonunknown
brad:  Stampin' Up!
twine:  Darice
other: thread.

Introducing... Azalea!


Sweeping and free, this set simply named Azalea is begging to be colored with reckless abandon. It could inspire an outrageous upsurge in your use of pink markers, colored pencils, and paint! Use the lush blooms of these images to let a friend know how much she is missed, or to say thanks to another who is just plain amazing! This 4" by 6" set was illustrated by hand with a whole lotta love by Marcella Hawley

A few weeks back I was cruising the aisles of my local dollar store and I happened to spy some cool round kraft paper covered boxes.  So I grabbed one... okay, I grabbed two and hid them away for safe keeping. Let me tell ya... the minute I saw this stunning Azalea stamp set, I knew I had to use it on something extra special.  **Swoon**

The minute I had my hot little hands on these stamps I knew what I wanted - I had actually been dreaming about this project all week!! - I wanted a rustic, antique-y looking box with a "carved" looking detail on the top.  Well, carved you can't really do with stamps but 3D paper piecing you CAN do!  It was my "aha" moment!

First I found a digital newsprint paper I liked and sized it down to suit my delicate and ornate Azaleas and printed out a few pieces using my laser printer just on plain ol' copy paper.  Then I cut a circle of the newsprint and stamped my large Azalea in the center of it.  I took the remaining pieces of paper and stamped the same image multiple times, ensuring the direction of my script was lined up.

Then I got to the fun part... the fussy cutting!  I think in all, I had to cut out 13 separate pieces to get the dimension I wanted.  I had to cut them all out, curl them using my ball-ended tool (can never remember the name of that silly thing!), colour every single white edge of the paper with my Copic W4 marker for all 13 pieces and then carefully place them onto the box lid with OLBA adhesive (a 3D glue).
I added a few coats of a clear spray finish to preserve the paper.  It's so delicate!

Yup.... it was a labour of love and I just ADORE how it turned out.   I sent a quick photo of it to my Mom (she's an artist/crafter too!) and she said she loved it, so I may send this one to her for her nightstand and make myself another one... I mean I didn't buy 2 boxes for nothin'!  LOL!



I hope my little box inspires you to think outside of the box (or maybe about the outside of it?!?) today!

Doesn't that flower just make you swoon? Don't wait to exhale, breathe in the beauty and hop on over to see the rest of the Bloom Brigade!

Allison Cope -- you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Tomorrow's set is sure to deliver a little dose of serenity. Need some? Check on back to see the Bloom Brigade and all its Zen-like creativity!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Azalea)
paper:  kraft cardstock from Flourishes, Digital paper by Mel McCathy

die cut shapes: Silhouette
ink:  Ranger Distress (Vintage Photo, Scattered Straw)
lace tape:  Decollections
masks:  Prima (Finnabair)
tools:  Silhouette 
adhesive:  OLBA
box:  dollar store.

Introducing... Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1!


Get that toe a-tapping, because this set will have you Celebrating Good Times -- Come On! Build up those Buttercups in your life. Tell the crazy chicks you hang with that they are way too Superfly! We can almost guarantee you'll break into song while you stamp these musical memories. Mix and match the sentiments and graphics to create combinations that will have your besties saying, "Word Up!" This 4" by 6" set -- Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1 -- was hand-drawn from the wonderfully creative pen of Marcella Hawley.

Well in honour of it being the weekend... let's get that party going and hear some tunes!  I mean, as Marcy said, I think music gets the creative mind going so why not add some to your blog hop today!

Now... click that play button... I know ya wanna!!! :)

Now try not to smile when I know you are singing and boppin' along right now!?!?

For my card today, the minute I saw all those gorgeous feathers, I just knew that's what I wanted to design with.  I pondered over my design and "theme" of my card for a few days until I came across the most stunning paper version of a dream catcher on another blog this week and I knew exactly what I wanted to do!

So I machine cut a dream catcher doily and began creating...
First I created my little tag back ground.  I used all the feathers and some Ranger "Pumice Stone" Distress Ink to stamp them down the tag's edges. I used some Prima masks to get the checker board and crack effect.  Then I stamped the three smaller feather, coloured them with some Copic Markers (BG70, BG93) and added some gold pen work to the veins. I fussy cut them and added some jute twine to tie them to my dream catcher die cut.

I added a corresponding tag with my peace inspiring sentiment (it's a pre-sneak!) and my super simple card was finished.

Here is a close up of my feathers. I used some adhesive gold half pearls to look like beads!


So, now that you have a little tune stuck in your head and a bop to your step, why not dance it out? Twist on over and see the rest of the Bloom Brigade!

Allison Cope  -- you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Katie Sims
Julie Koerber
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Tomorrow's set is sure to take your breath away. It's a beautiful botanical that symbolizes the strength and beauty of women and this illustration is 100% Marcella Hawley! Stop on back to see for yourself!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Marcella's Mixtape Vol. 1, Good Thinking: Renewal)
cardstock:  Flourishes Classic Ivory & Kraft
patterned papers: Digital paper by Mel McCathy
die cut shapes: Silhouette Files
ink:  Memento, Ranger Distress,

tools:  Silhouette, Prima Masks
gold pearls:  Recollection
gold pen: Sakura 
eyelet: Stampin' Up!

twineDarice
tag: Ranger
other: thread.

Introducing... Springtime Love!


Our first Power Poppy set, hot off the presses, may have you hearing the alluring tones of a French accordion and whispering Ooh La La. Springtime Love is in the air and this set embodies romance -- with passionate petals and love-laced sentiments. Illustrated by Marcella Hawley as she went in for the kiss, this beauty of a set measures 4" by 6". 

I'm so happy you could join us on this momentous day everyone!  Today I get to share with you my very first creation using the stunning new stamps from the Springtime love collection for Power Poppy!

I began my card using a simple oval die cut from a very subtle patterned paper form the BasicGrey collection "Spice Market".  You don't always have to stamp onto cardstock you know!  LOL!  Then I stamped my mini bouquet using some Memento ink and coloured it in using Copic Markers.  I layered lots of different ovals around my stamped image to build depth.

Here is a close of my focal image... Would you look at the amazing detail Marcella always puts into her images???  It makes me giddy with all the colouring possibilities of her images... hehehe!


Now that you've been swept away with that free-feeling Springtime Love, why not traipse around to take in some more? The Bloom Brigade has plenty to share!

Allison Cope
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

See you back here tomorrow, when we'll have you movin' and groovin' to a spunky and fun Power Poppy beat!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Springtime Love)
cardstock: Flourishes Classic white
patterned papers: BasicGrey (Spice Market)
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Memento, Ranger Distress, Copic
ribbon:  Stampin' Up!
pearls:  Recollection
other: thread.

A Poppy is Born!

I have been in awe of the amazing stamp sets arriving at my door steps the last few weeks!  You are going to LOVE all the amazing images that Marcella has created for you; to inspire you and most of all, put a smile on someone else's face because you took the time to colour up something amazing to give to them!

Join me on the Power Poppy Blog today to find out a little bit more about Marcella's vision for Power Poppy!

~ Ally ~

Welcome... The Bloom Brigade!

Howdy all!  I am truly blessed to have joined all of these lovely ladies you see below.  My home-body picture is located in the lower right hand corner... I'm a creature of comfort so I thought this photo of me and my fur-baby Teaco would be perfect!

Congrats to Marcy and all of the fabulous "gardeners" that get to play with her amazing designs.  Come along and find out a little bit more about each one of us.

Introducing...


With a little bit of the story of Power Poppy unveiled yesterday, today we get to share some of the "faces" that will help bring Power Poppy to full bloom! We affectionately call this fabulous and fierce team "The Bloom Brigade" because as you'll soon see - each one has a wild an beautiful facet that they bring with them to this very creative team! Want to learn a little more about this wildly talented force of artistic talent? Marcella asked each of us a question and many of them made us say... "Hmmmm...." Just click HERE to see for yourself! 

Q. My idea of taking life by the horns is....

A. ....literally standing back and watching everybody else do it first!  LOL!  I am not a risk taker; never have been and never will be... period.  My idea of a good time is curled up on the couch with my son Spencer, husband Todd or my fur-babies, Marlee or Teaco, watching tv.  I’m the first person to back out of a situation I’m not comfortable with.  But all that being said, when my husband and I first starting dating, ten years ago, he somehow convinced me that learning to snowboard at 27 was a good idea!  I don’t like heights (ski lifts scare the begeezes out of me!) and I don’t like the whole concept of falling and injuring myself so having him get me to TRY this was a BIG deal for me.  It’s basically how I fell in love with him… on the ski slopes… risking my life… and I’ll never forget it.  Love will make you do strange things!!!

EDITED TO ADD:  I don't actually snowboard any more.  I converted to skis because I found them easier.  It allows me to hang out with my guys on the mountain (okay... me on the bunny hill... sigh...).  We are only an hour away from the Rockies here so we ski Lake Louise when we can.

These wonderfully dynamic women all have different "sides" to their lives! See what makes their creativity click! Learn a little more as you hop on over and see.....

Allison Cope  -- you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Tomorrow, we get one step closer to the big sneaks with a peek into Marcella's sketch books. What inspired her first Power Poppy release? She'll share with all of YOU!

~ Ally ~

Today's the Day the Poppy Grows!



For the past ten days the fabulous and fierce Bloom Brigade (a.k.a. the Power Poppy Design Team) has been busy suggesting all kinds of fun and downright goofy things to get you moving and grooving to the Power Poppy beat. Behind the scenes, we've been sweating the details, keeping it real, and loving every minute of it. While you can see a sneaky peek of what's to come above in the days ahead, today the mistress of ceremonies, Marcella Hawley herself is going to tell you all a little story -- HER story -- of how this beautiful company came to be! Be sure to stop by HERE to read all about it!!

~ Ally ~

Scrapbook & Cards Today has Arrived!!!

Today is the day!!!  You can now officially get your hands on copy of the latest and greatest scrappy mag...

To download your FREE copy of 
Scrapbook & Cards Today 
magazine, click HERE!

If you'd like to purchase a paper copy of this amazing resource, you can find out how to do that RIGHT HERETrust me... you have to see (and touch) this magazine in person!!!

Congrats to my fabulous and uber talented friend Julie Koerber for her amazing card article (pages 37-39)!  Makes sure to check it out!!!

~ Ally ~

Doh Re Mi Fa So La Te Doh!

 www.powerpoppy.com

Sing along and sign up for our newsletter here!

Six Days and Counting!!!!


Come along and sweat with us... here!

Oops! Almost forgot... a 1400th Post WINNER!


Golly gee... I forgot to post the winner of my 1400th post giveaway!!!  So here it goes...

And the winner is commenter #8...

          lisa808  8:52 AM
          Beautiful card! Congrats on 1,400 posts! I look forward to your news on the 15th.

Congrats Lisa!!!  I'll be contacting you for your mailing information!!!

~ Ally ~

Timeless Tuesday ~ Touch of Gold!

Howdy all!  It's time for another Timeless Tuesday Challenge over at Flourishes!

This week the lovely Katie is our hostess and she is challenging us to use a TOUCH OF GOLD this week!

For my card this week I grabbed some Easter stamps to try and get ahead on making those for my family and friends this year.

I started by using my Silhouette and cutting some Classic White Cardstock using the Easter Wishes Silhouette Cut File.  Then I stamped my egg image from the corresponding stamp set, Easter Wishes, using Memento "Tuxedo Black" ink.


Next I took the beautiful Perfectly Pierced Classic Frames Die and cut a piece using white cardstock again.  Then I using some Versamark ink and stamped the sweet gingham image from the  Berry Sweet Frames stamp set onto my embossed cardstock and added some gold embossing powder.

Too add further gold touches to my card, not only did I emboss with gold powder but I also added some gold pearls, and I added some gold pen detail to edges of all of my patterned papers and also the edges of the bow on the egg too!

Then I coloured in my images using Copic Markers:
B91, BG10, BG53, R11, R12, 
Y000, Y00, Y11, YG17, YG21 and YG23.

Here is a close up my gold embossing and coloured Easter egg image...


I used the sketch from Mojo Monday, #337, for my card design today....


Next week will be my final week with Flourishes so make sure you take a moment and not only take a moment to leave some love on my fellow design team blogs but make sure to play along with us too!  Good luck everyone!

Come and join along with us this week for our "touch of gold" challenge!  Be sure to visit the rest of the DT’s blogs and leave them a little blog love too….
Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Easter Wishes, Berry Sweet Frames)
cardstock:  Flourishes Classic White
patterned papers: Carta Bella (Sew Lovely), Bo Bunny (Happy Tails)
die cut shapes: Flourishes Perfectly Pierced Classic Frames
ink:  Memento, Copic Markers, Versamark
ribbon:  American Crafts
gold pen: Sakura
tools:  Silhouette
gold pearls:  Recollections
other: embossing powder.

We Got the Power!

Grab the gusto HERE!

Walkin' On Sunshine!! Oooo... Oh!

 www.powerpoppy.com

Can't wait to see what all the fuss is about... Click here!

Dirty Dozen Reveal!

Howdy all!  It's just after the 15th and each month on the 15th the Splitcoaststampers Design Team. other wise known as the Dirty Dozen reveal a new theme of the month!

Here are a few sneak peeks of my card creations for this month's theme...


Our theme this month is... "The Sound of Music"!

The Sound of Music - Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles with warm woolen mittens - what are a few of YOUR favorite things? We invite you to take inspiration from one of the most inspiring stories and greatest movies of all time this month - The Sound of Music. As it happens, the last surviving member of the Von Trapp family - Maria - died on February 23rd at the age of 99 - so we are doubly honored to bring this tribute to an amazing woman, to her family and to a fantastic musical. 
We can't wait to see how this inspires you.

Become a Fan Club Member and come and play along with our amazing team this month!  Click here to sign up for the Fan Club.  I hope to see you there!  Happy stamping everyone!

~ Ally ~

Card Making 101 - The Basics!

Join me on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog here for fun tutorial where I teach you how to:
  • create titles and sentiments without dies or expensive cutting machines,
  • use household bleach to stamp with and...
  • emboss using stamps!

Don't forget... the newest issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today is on it's way!  You can download it for FREE from the SCT website on March 21st!  But having a paper copy is just so much more fun.  Sign up for a subscription here to get your copy at home.

Don't forget to also check out the latest Cardmaps, issue 4!  This edition is always jammed packed full of cool sketch, fabulous cards mad awesome card making tips!  For more details on how to get a copy, click here.



Happy crafting!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:
cardstock:  Flourishes blue, black and white cardstocks
stamps:  Stampin' Up! (Morning Meadow)
embossing powder: Stampendous!
die shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Versamark
tools: computer and printer
pen: Sharpie Fine
other: bleach, paper towel.

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Cute!

Howdy fellow card creators! It's Wednesday and it's just in time to create another fun card using the newest Splitcoaststamper Card Sketch!

Last week I went supply shopping and I just couldn't resist the latest and most super cute patterned paper by Authentique called "Anchored". It is nautical themed and there is just something SO cute about this paper that I just had to have it!

http://authentiquepaper.com/products/Anchored

So in order to honour the theme of the paper I was trying to think of what I had that was nautical in nature and then I remember that Mo Manning from Mo's Digital Pencil had some cute little sailor images!  I had already bought the whole collection of the little sailor cuties; "Sailor Boys" in my digital folder so I used the little boy with the sailboat as my main image.  I loved the way Mo coloured him in her example image so I used it as my guideline for colours and shading.  I used Copic Markers to colour in my little boy and my Copic airbrush to create the soft back ground behind him.


I didn't want my little sailor fella to be a flat image so I printed him out 3 times on my laser printer and coloured and layered each piece of him to get a more dimensional image.  I think he turned out adorable!!!   I'd have to say... one of my most favourite cards EVER
For my other nautical details, I used my Silhouette and a cut file entitled "Nautical Set" to cut, create and layer an anchor themed paper strip and a cute little boat captain's wheel for my tag element.  I cut everything out of the fabulous "Anchored" paper collection so it would match perfectly.

Come and play along with us over at Splitcoaststampers today and join in this week's Card Sketch!

I'm also sharing this card for this week's Mo's Digital Challenge this week: #224 - Anything Goes With a Mo Image!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!   Happy stamping!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:
stamps:  Mo Manning (Sailor Boys)
cardstock:  Flourishes Classic White Cardstock
patterned papers: Authentique (Anchored)
die cut shapes: Spellbinders, Silhouette Cut Files (Nautical Set)
ink:  Copic, Ranger Distress
tools:  Copic Airbrush
other: thread.

Timeless Tuesday ~ It's a Wash! & Some News


Howdy fellow stamp lovers!!! It's time for another fun and fabulous challenge for Timeless Tuesday Challenge!


This week our lovely hostess, Deborah, is challenging us to...
Thanks Deb for a fabulous challenge this week.... you see, I am a washi hoarder!  Yup... I admit it! But for some reason I hardly ever use it so this week's challenge was a great push to use all the fun washi tapes I have stashed away.  Okay... so I truthfully only used one but that's a start right?  LOL!

For some reason, I had Christmas on my mind for this week's card... so I went with it!
So I began with a simple die cut circle for my step-card and then I stamped the leaves and berries image from the glorious "Winter Berries" stamp set using "Rich Cocoa" Memento ink on to Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock.

I coloured in my image using Copic Markers:
E30, E31, E33, R43, R46, R56, 
YG21, TG93, YG95, YG97 and YR000.

With my circle still in the die, I added some Ranger Distress Inks, "Antique Linen" and "Tea Dye", to the edges to make the ivory frame stand out a little more.  Then I added some pretty lace to the back and also an inked die cut piece with some pearls.

For my greeting, it also came from the "Winter Berries" stamp set. I used "Rich Cocoa" Memento ink on to Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock and then fussy cut it for my card front.

Now... where is my washi tape you ask?  Actually... it's the red and white stripes on the bottom of the front panel and it's also in my back panel too.  It's a cool thin washi tape made by Tim Holtz!
 
For the finishing touch, I used my Sakura "Glaze" pen and added some shine to my berries and sentiment...

Thanks for stopping by today! 

I do have a bit of sad news though... I have made the decision to step down from Flourishes at the end of the month.  I've had an amazing time creating with some truly out standing ladies at Flourishes over the years.  And Jan Marie and Mike have been so good to me but I know it's time to move on to new things... exciting things!  I'll be sharing my "exciting things" news on the 15th here on my blog.   So stay tuned!

And some happy news.... this is officially my 1400th blog post and I wanna reward one of my readers! I have a variety of brand new Flourishes stamp sets in my possession that you can't buy at the moment and YOU could be the proud new owners of them!!!  HOW you ask?  Just simply leave a comment below... it's as simple as that!  I will randomly choose a winner and post them on next week's Timeless Tuesday post! Good luck!

Come and join along with us this week for our washi tape inspired challenge!  Be sure to visit the rest of the DT’s blogs and leave them a little blog love too….
Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Winter Berries)
cardstock:  Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock, Flourishes "Evergreen" Collection
patterned papers: Fancy Pants Designs (Merry Little Christmas)
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink:  Memento, Ranger Distress, Copic Markers
lace, pearls:  unknown
glaze pen:  Sakura 
washi tape:  Tim Holtz
other: thread.

Timeless Tuesday... MASKuerade!

Howdy fellow stamp lovers!!! It's time for another fun and fabulous challenge for Timeless Tuesday Wednesday! LOL!!!

Welcome to another fabulous Timeless Tuesday Challenge here at Flourishes!  I'm Ally and I'm your hostess this week.


This week I am challenging you to...
FTTC261 MASKuerade

Now you can take this as a LITERAL "mask" image or you can take it as "masking - a technique where you place something over your image or cardstock so you don't apply ink to it".  You may use a mask in helping you create a fun landscape, a cloudy sky or creating a multiple imaged area where your stamps overlap one another.  It's your choice on how you interpret the word "mask" in this case... just have FUN with it!

So today, I thought I'd keep my card super simple and let the stamps speak for themselves!
FTTC261 Mask Tulips A Cope
For my card example today, I thought I'd stick to the masking technique so I took some Classic Ivory Cardstock and the beautiful tulip image from the "Thank You" stamp set and masked off a line of tulips on my card.  I then coloured my tulips with Copic Markers.

Here's a close of my blooms...
FTTC261 CU1 A Cope

So grab some stamps and let's see you MASKuerade this week!  Can't wait to see what you create using my challenge this week!

For my card this week, I used the newest Card Sketch from Splitcoaststampers, SC478:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/card-sketches-f41/
 
Come and join along with us this week!
Be sure to visit the rest of the DT’s blogs and leave them a little blog love….
Thanks for stopping by!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Thank You)
cardstock:  Flourishes Classic Ivory

die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Memento, Copic Markers
metallic string: Flourishes.
 
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