Early Bird Crafts

Birthday Gift Card Box

2011-08-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Tuesday is my "guaranteed" work day. That means when the hubby gets home from work I head upstairs to my scrap area and make new projects, take and edit pictures, load items to my store and generally work on things for my budding little business. Over the last couple of days I've been having a blast making templates for new products and turning those templates into fun new things. There is a bit of trial and error, but overall it is a ton of fun for me.

This is one of my favorite new things that I made over the last couple of days. This is a gift card box that I made in the style of a matchbox. I decorated the top of the box with a feminine birthday in mind. I love how it turned out!

In this image you can see how the inside of the box pulls out like a matchbox. The boxes measure 3 inches wide, 5 inches long and half an inch deep. Perfect to slip a little note into or just put a gift card to their favorite store.

A close up of the cover design. I have no idea where I got those flowers....I've had them for that long, but I thought the coloring was perfect for the paper and everything just seemed to fit together.

After I'm done doing some more gift card holders for birthdays, I'm going to move on to Christmas. Now those are going to be F-U-N! I have so many ideas for fun shapes and styles that I can't wait to design and create.

Like I said, I've been working on a ton of stuff, so I'll hopefully get to show you all the fun things I'm working on in the coming weeks.

Also, I've decided to post things for sale on Shophandmade.com. The link to my store is: http://www.shophandmade.com/Store/Melissakaye80. I will be posting things on my blog that will not be for sale in that store because of licensing requirements, so be sure to check back here for those things!

If you aren't a follower yet, I'd love it if you did that!

Cabin Fever

2011-08-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

Today was a busy Saturday for us. I had training at my new job in a group home, went out and bought a bunch of supplies to make cards and gift card holders, and went and got a haircut. I've also been working away on new things to put in my store. I haven't made an official decision as to where I'm going to sell....Etsy or ShopHandmade, but as soon as things are loaded and ready for purchase, I will let you know and link to the store. I'm very excited about what I've been working on and can't wait to make more things in the coming weeks.

I'm also looking into doing a show in November, but I need to see if I can get the day off from my job....I'll let you know about that too.

I'm exhausted, but wanted to share a layout with you before I curled up with my latest Netflix DVD. This layout has 6 pictures in it, which is great for the size of the page. I may have used a sketch site for this one, but I have no idea which one, so if this looks like your sketch, let me know. I want to give credit where credit is due!

These are all pictures from the dock at my parents' cabin. The kids love to walk down there and look to see what they can see in the lake. They're also getting old enough now that they can fish off the dock, or practice their casting.

Supplies: All items are Crate paper, except for buttons, which are from my mixed up button drawer. :)

Idea Book

2011-08-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago I decided to create an idea book where I could write things down as I came across them, cut inspiration out of magazines, print things off and keep a list of websites that have challenges and inspiration.

This is the book I started out with.....the pages inside are blank. I am thinking it may end up looking like a Smash book inside as time goes on.

Below is the completed book. I used some Glimmer Mist and masked out a flourish/leaf pattern and then used a border bunch around the outside of the paper. The "ideas" letters are Tim Holtz Grungeboard letters sprayed with Glimmer Mist. The rhinestone flourish used an Imaginisce template and jewels. Because I didn't have the correct tip for my dremel sander, I did not prep the spots where the jewels would be adhered. You can see that this book has a shiny/glossy surface, and this can cause issues with the glue holding. I've already lost several of the jewels off of it, so I would recommend not ignoring that step. By sanding the spots you give the glue a rougher surface to grab onto and that way you won't lose your jewels.

So far I am really liking this book and I'm curious to see where it will take me.

Supplies: Mead Sketchbook, white cardstock, Glimmer Mist: Jack Frost and Creme de Chocolat, Chipboard photo corners, Flowers: Floradoodles and Making Memories, button.

Sketchy Thursday - Rat's Nest

2011-08-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

This week I decided to give Sketchy Thursday a try. It's fun to be back in my scrap area on a regular basis and to be able to try out all these challenges that I've been wanting to do for a long time. I love sketches and think they are especially fabulous when you are stuck, your mojo needs a kick start, or you just want a little guidance.

This is the original sketch that they posted for this week's challenge:

Below is my take on the sketch. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

I used papers from a Colorbok pack I got for participating in their monthly surveys. The yellow strip was a white border by Bazzill and Glimmer Mist. The flowers are so old I don't remember where they are from and the brad in the center is by Fancy Pants. The swirl at the top is a bling pattern and stones from Imaginisce, using their iRock tool.

Be sure to check out what other people have done with the sketch by visiting Sketchy Thursdays.

BOO Banner

2011-08-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

It may be a little early for Halloween, but I like to get projects done ahead of time. PLUS, I got my new Black Cat 13" Cougar die cutting machine last Thursday and I just had to play with it a bit! I couldn't help myself. Below is an image of the banner, I L-O-V-E how it turned out and can't wait to make more!

The first pendant in the banner is decorative. To make the pendants I did a google images search for a scalloped triangle, found one that I liked and then live traced it in Adobe Illustrator. I then size it how I wanted, saved it as an .eps file and cut it using Sign Cut and my new Cougar. Like Buttah.... The embellishments on this are one are by Little Yellow Bicycle and Making Memories.

I alternated the patterns on the scalloped part of the pendants and then each one has a different pattern on the straight edged triangle. In order to create the folded paper medallions behind the letters, I cut two strips of 1.75" by 12" and scored them at 3/8 of an inch intervals. I folded on the score marks and glued the ends of the paper together. Then I flattened it onto the pendant and used a hot glue gun to hold it in place. You could create these medallions on a non stick surface and let it dry and have them made ahead of time if you would like. I did need to hold the paper into position for a minute or two until it dried.

All the papers are by Echo Park with a little bit of My Little Bicycle, except for the letters. Those are done in Bazzill Black Tie paper that has the slight shimmer to it. As you can see in the image below I popped up the letters a bit to get them to stand out.

I love the patterns and colors of these papers.

All of the embellishments on this one are by Little Yellow Bicycle. I used a small piece of embroidery floss for the "web" coming down with the spider.

That is my first big project with my new die cutting machine. It was SO fun to make it and I love all the possibilities this machine has. I can't wait to create more to show to you!

Scrapbook Challenges Seasons of Change Blog Hop

2011-07-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi All! Finally, a new post and a new scrapbook page! I'm on break from school and have been diving into my creative space. It's awesome and I feel so rejuvenated! To get my creative juices flowing I decided to participate in a blog hop/challenge at a site I regularly visit, but rarely have time to participate in: Scrapbook Challenges. It was the perfect way for me to get started, and I really like the layout I ended up with.

The original sketch:

My take on it:

You can start the blog hop at: Brynn Marie's Blog.

To see what other people have created with the sketch, you can go to the Hop On Board.

This was a very fast layout for me and was the perfect way to get my creative juices flowing. I can't wait to do more challenges (I have several on my list already....). Let me know what you think!

Products Used: Reminisce Snowflake glitter paper; Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist; Archiver's White Cardstock; All other items are Momenta.

My very first Guest Design!

2011-01-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Head on over to Frosted Designs to check out my very first guest design. I've been working on a bunch of stuff lately and hope to get pictures of other layouts and projects posted soon!

If you are here from Frosted Designs, thank you SO much for stopping by! My blog has been quiet lately because of school, but I've got a bunch of projects in the works and will be posted soon. I would love it if you became a follower to view more of my work!

Thanks again for the visit and I was SO honored to be asked to guest design at Frosted Designs.

New Christmas Decor

2010-12-02T07:36:00.000-08:00

About a month ago I decided to create some things for my house for Christmas. With the craft show, school and work, I was only able to get this one thing done so far....although I do have an idea for a card display for all the wonderful Christmas Cards we get. For now this will hang on our wall with the photo updated every year.

These are available for custom order, in a wide variety of colors, styles and themes.

Supplies:
12x12 Canvas
Miscellaneous Christmas Paper: My Little Yellow Bicycle, Jilly Bean Soup, Imaginisce
Chipboard Words: My Little Yellow Bicycle
Flowers: Color Me Crazy
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Scarlet and Gum Drop
Jewels: Imaginisce and iRock Heat Setting Tool
Modge Podge

Happy B-Day!

2010-04-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

I've been away for quite awhile! I started school in January for Graphic Design and took a ton of credits the first quarter. I won't be making that mistake again! I missed my scrapping time and haven't gotten to make as much for my shop as I would like to.

On a positive note: I'm BACK! During my hiatus I had a couple of custom orders and one of them was for a set of matching birthday cards. Below are samples of the cards.

Quick tip for the buttons. I have a MILLION buttons, but mostly in pastels and greens and reds. The colors I had didn't work for these cards and I didn't want to go out and buy more. So I picked out a button that was the right style and size, covered one side of it liberally with VersaMark and dipped it into my American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder. I picked it up with a tweezers and heat embossed it. That quickly and easily I changed the colors of my buttons! I love that I can now customize all of my buttons to whatever project I'm working on. Be careful though, if you heat it too long, your button may warp.

In order to get a full bow on top, rather than the cut out like it is on the cartridge, I went into Design Studio and hid the lines so they would not cut. I like this look a lot better and I think it adds a lot more contrast.

Both cards were made using the Lyrical Letters Cricut Cartridge and BoBunny Love Bandit Collection, plain white cardstock and miscellaneous buttons. The second card uses Archiver's pink cardstock.

Custom Journal - Follow Your Heart

2009-12-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

Another custom journal ordered as a Christmas gift. Again, the cover and wire are by Zutter and the interior pages are plain printer paper. All cover items, except for the flower are by My Little Yellow Bicycle and the flower is by American Crafts.

I really like how this one turned out, happy and cheerful!

Custom Journal - Life is Good

2009-12-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

This is another journal from the custom order for 6 journals. I, once again, used the Zutter Bind-It-All bracket cover in white with white binding wires. The paper inside is plain printer paper cut to size. Cover paper is Bo Bunny, "Life is Good" is from Me and My Big Ideas, I think. Clear frame around "Life is Good" and the dotted flower are from Making Memories. Ribbon is by American Crafts. Jewels by Kaiser Craft. I used Pearl Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels on the white flower. All other items are big unknowns as to the manufacturers.

Custom Journal: Flower Power

2009-12-21T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is a custom journal I made as a gift to a college student. I used Zutter Bind-It-All bracket covers and wire in silver. The paper on the inside is plain printer paper cut to size. The patterned paper and ribbon are We R Memory Keepers. Unsure of the flowers and buttons. The white flower is decorated with Stickles.

This picture does a better representation of the colors and sparkle.

Our 2009 Christmas Card

2009-12-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

I made 80 of the card below for our family Christmas card this year. I got my inspiration from the JOY card on this post at Christmas with the Cricut. It turned out much different then the original, and I actually think it looks great and joyful!

Supplies Used: BoBunny patterned papers, Archivers blue cardstock, Bazzill Bling cardstock, Fiskars Threading Water Punch, Cricut with the Storybook cartridge.

Custom Favor Boxes

2009-12-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

I got this idea from the Spellbinders make and take at ScrapFest this year. Instead of using their tree Nestability, I used the Paper Dolls Dress Up cartridge and set it up in Design Studio so I could just attach the paper to the cutting mat and it would cut in the right place every time. I bought thicker ribbon then I had wanted to, but the bows turned out nice. This isn't the best angle to see it, but the bows were nice and plump on top of the boxes. I covered the tree with acetate and filled the box with plain M&Ms.

The first person that ordered them loved how they turned out and I'm doing the other delivery tonight. I hope she likes them too!

I can see these being used for other holidays and events too. You could to a wedding bell, a cupcake, an Easter bunny or basket or any other number of shapes. I'm actually giving myself ideas for my own holidays.

If you are interested in ordering a custom item, feel free to contact me via email or by leaving a comment on my blog. I will always try to accomodate orders!

Stay tuned for some custom journals I made for someone to give as Christmas gifts and later this week I'll post a picture of the Christmas card I mailed out for our family this year.

Black Friday on Etsy

2009-11-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

I have decided to participate in the Black Friday promotion on etsy.com and am extending my sale through Monday, November 30th.

My featured promotions:
- All items will be on sale. I will be reducing the prices so they will be listed at the reduced price, not the original.

- All custom orders will receive free shipping. Some custom items I offer include: perpetual calendars, annual calendars, Christmas cards, invitations, thank you cards, favor boxes, gift bags and etched glassware. (My favorite idea for etched glassware is a casserole dish with the last name etched into the backside of it. You can read the name properly through the glass and it's a great personalized gift....I'm thinking wedding presents!) Have a different idea? Ask! I will work with you to try to make it work.

Feel free to contact me with any questions. I would love to help in any way I can!

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and the long weekend!

Changes!

2009-11-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

I am going to be making some changes to this blog in the coming months. I have started an etsy store called Handcrafted by Melissa Kaye and will be switching over this blog to coordinate with that. I am hoping to post images of the items I'm selling on this blog and hopefully some custom projects I have had ordered.

Cutting Above Gypsy Giveaway!

2009-09-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

Cutting Above is THE new place for industry news, review information, tutorials, videos and just about anything else related to scrapbooking and die cut machines!! They are doing a GIVEAWAY to help them celebrate their arrival onto the scrapbooking scene and it is a GYPSY! WA-HOO!

Follow this link to find out more information or click on the blinkie on the right hand side of the page. GOOD LUCK!

More Giveaways!

2009-08-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Seriously. There are some great giveaways going on right now. It's amazing how generous people are.

The following blogs are doing AMAZING giveaways. It follows right along with their work. Even if you don't enter the contests, you will be inspired when you leave these blogs!

Creating From the Heart

Butterfly Kisses

Pamela has a Giveaway!

2009-08-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Pamela over at Pamela's World of Scrap is giving away the August Scarlet Lime kit. YUM-O! Everyone raves about these kits and she has a chance to win one for free!

The August kit is sold out, so you can't even buy it any more. To check out the Scarlet Lime website and see what you could win, click here.

Good luck!

The Cuttlebug Spot $1000 Giveaway!

2009-07-10T07:38:00.001-07:00

The Cuttlebug Spot is doing a $1000 Giftcard Giveaway to Custom Crops! AWESOME! They are trying to reach 1000 followers by the end of July and when they reach that number will be giving away that awesome gift card! Check it out! I'm already dreaming of what I could get with that $1000.....

Here's what you need to do to enter:

Anyone can join, here's what you need to do to enter:

1) Become a follower of The Cuttlebug Spot. (If you are already a follower you met the first step).

2) Post a link to this contest on your blog. If you don't have a blog you can start one at blogspot.com.

3) Leave a comment to this post with a link back to your blog post.

An SEI Giveaway

2009-06-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

The SEI blog is having a giveaway for their 100th post. SEI has been a favorite company of mine FOREVER! Last year at Christmas I bought at least 3 sheets of their entire Christmas line. I love it!

Check out the post here: SEI 100th Post Giveaway!

The itop from Imaginisce

2009-06-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Imaginisce is releasing a really cool new product this summer called the itop. You can make your own customized brads with it. I'm SO excited to check it out. Right now they are running a contest on their blog where they are giving away 2 itops every week for the next 4 weeks.

Check it out: Imaginesce blog.

A Spending Challenge

2009-06-29T07:22:00.001-07:00

I am challenging myself to not spend any money on scrapbooking supplies until the weekend of September 18th. I can only buy adhesives, order pictures and sign up for ScrapFest (which starts September 18th).

Lately I have been doing a lot of buying and not much scrapping. So my goal between now and September 18th is to create 50 layouts out of the supplies I currently have. This may have to be adjusted if I have to have hip surgery, but I REALLY want to get back into my scrap area and do more creating.

This last weekend I made 20 layouts. It felt SO good. Now if I can continue to find time to create more layouts. I do have a cross stitch that is high priority right now, but sometimes you need a break. :)

ScrapFest 2009

2009-06-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

I L-O-V-E ScrapFest at the Mall of America. This year's website is up here: ScrapFest. I go every year with my mom and we have SO much fun.

A Simple Anniversary Card

2009-05-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is another card I made for my uncle for Christmas. I made it to be an anniversary card, but it could be used for other things.

Supplies: White cardstock by Archivers, all other paper SEI, markers are American Crafts. Can't remember the stamp set and I am currently unable to get into my scrap area, so I'll update that when I can check into it.

Finally...

2009-05-02T19:28:00.001-07:00

I have been WAY out of commission over the last couple of months. At first it was complications for my daughter and her surgery and since then I've been having major issues with my hip and pelvis. Hopefully I'll get to update more frequently, because I HAVE been scrapping. Here is a monogrammed card I made for my uncle as part of a package of cards that I gave him for Christmas.

I used a packet of paper left over from a Scrap Mania at Archiver's and a plain chipboard letter painted red with Making Memorie's paints.

I hope you are having a FABULOUS National Scrapbooking Day and I hope to add more things as I'm able to. Have to take pictures first. :)

The Final Calendar Installment

2009-01-14T17:57:00.000-08:00

More illness, means a long time between posts again. Oh well. I finally get to post the last three pages of the calendar. I won't be posting September because it has naked babies in it. So this is a quick post with the last three months.

October: Papers by K&Company, Bat by K&Company, Ribbon, Crow and button by Making Memories, Chipboard with window and bat by SEI

November: Paper by Archivers, photo corners by We R Memory Keepers, all others unknown.

December: Papers by KI Memories, Ribbon and Believe title by We R Memory Keepers, Bell Stickers by Mrs. Grossman and Present by Soft Spoken.

Finally, more of that Calendar

2009-01-11T11:26:00.000-08:00

Our household has been fighting a neverending battle with illness. Someone in our house has been sick since December 16th, and it was my turn from the 26th through yesterday. Now it's the hubby's turn again. So today has been the first day in a while that I have had the energy to do a new post. So finally, some more little calendar cuties!

June: All papers and embellishments by KI Memories.

July: All papers by American Crafts, So Happy Together embellishment by K&Company

August: All papers by K&Company, flower and button by Making Memories, SWEET letter stickers by American Crafts and transparency slide and little Ones stickers unknown.

Scrappy goals and More Calendar Cuties

2009-01-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

I have three more calendar pages to share with you all, but first I want to get my scrappy goals for 2009 out there. Maybe if I post them in cyber space, they'll be more motivating for me. So here is what I hope to do in 2009:

1. Spend one nap time a week scrapbooking.

2. Get caught up with printing off my pictures. (I've been working on this for awhile. 50 free prints a month from artscow.com helps, but I still plan on using half of my scrapbooking budget a month to getting pictures printed off. I have A LOT of pictures to print off...I haven't printed off any for my youngest and I'm caught up through June of 2008 with the older two. I don't even want to think about family or vacation pictures.)

3. Finish through January 1, 2009, of all three of my kids' albums. (I have through June 2007 done for my son and December of 2007 for my middle daughter, nothing for the youngest. This is a lofty goal, but luckily I am usually a speedy scrapper and I will have a couple of opportunities this year to spend 2 to 3 days just scrapping, which means lots of pages done. I know a lot of people don't do chronological and almost kind of frown upon it, but I can't scrap any other way, I want to have all my pages for a certain time period done and then set it aside to admire.)

4. Send cards for all birthdays and anniversaries in 2009.

5. Finish my scrap room set up and organization. (This involves figuring out a configuration for and putting up wall shelves in the corner of my space. I'm hoping to get this done in March.)

6. Get all my layouts into scrapbooks. (This is a daunting task, just because I don't like doing this. I would rather spend my scrapping money on supplies to make more layouts and my scrapping time actually scrapping. I probably have over 100 layouts not in scrapbooks right now....hey at least some of them are in page protectors!)

7. Do one crop a month, either here at home or out with my mom or sister-in-law.

8. Do more daily journaling about things that the kids say or do and who they are. (I need to get out a notebook and just write down those things that the kids say or do that crack me up, warm my heart or make me roll my eyes. I really want to remember their quirks and sweet moments in my scrapbooks.)

Now on to the calendar!

March: cardstock by Archivers, patterned paper by American Crafts, can't remember anything else. :)

April: cardstock by Archiver's, chipboard letters by Heidi Grace, flowers by Making Memories, butterfly by DCWV and I can't remember who makes the rain drops.

May: paper, word stickers, chipboard word by K&Company, felt flourish by Fancy Pants, flowers, buttons and bracket by Making Memories.

2009 Calendar

2009-01-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to get back into crafting. I've been working on a cross stitch birth record for a nephew that is due in April and I spent a large part of yesterday in my scrap space creating 10 layouts for my middle daughter's scrapbook. I'll try to post those eventually....I still have a lot from the holiday gift giving to share.

I made my parents a calendar of pictures of the kiddos for Christmas this year. I did it for them two years ago too, when it was just my oldest. I'll post the calendar in parts and September will not be posted because it features naked baby butts.

Cover page: All papers KI Memories, numbers are American Crafts Thickers

January: White Cardstock is Archiver's, Blue patterned paper is American Crafts.

February: Pink Cardstock is Archiver's, patterned paper is American Crafts, Large Flower is Bo Bunny, Green chipboard embellishment is K&Company Amy Butler and buttons are Making Memories and Stampin' Up.

A little bloom

2008-12-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is a very simple card. I wanted one that would be easy to use for almost any occasion, so I tried to keep it simple.

Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye Laundry Line special edition for Archiver's Scrap Fest; Flower: Prima; Button: Memory Makers Noteworthy Line.

Congratulations

2008-12-28T10:41:00.000-08:00

I like how this card turned out. I have no idea about any of the products, but I love how everything came together. It is clean and simple, but with some nice impact.

Boy Birthday Card

2008-12-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

This is a card I made using the Cogsmo line by Cosmo Cricket. I'm not really loving it, but not hating it either. Not really my best work, but then not everything can be.

Paper: Cogsmo by Cosmo Cricket, Stamps: Fiskars

Spider Anniversary

2008-12-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

This is the second card in the set I made for my aunt. This one is blank inside, but I had thought it would make a cute anniversary card since the spider is holding up a heart.

Patterned paper, blue and cream cardstock and heart jewels by K&Company, other cardstock Archivers and stamp is Stampin' Up.

The first of a set

2008-12-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

I made a set of cards for my aunt (and boss) for Christmas. There were 12 cards in the set, two of each type. I love making cards.....they're so quick and easy and most of the time they turn out great. I can't wait till Christmas is done so I can post some other gifts that I've made! Until then I'll post the cards in this set.

Here is the first in the set. A simple thank you card.

The stamp is Stampin' Up, patterned paper is K&Company, cardstock is Archiver's, and the flower is Making Memories.

Homemade Stockings

2008-12-03T20:29:00.000-08:00

I posted this on my family blog too, but since this one is for all things "crafty" I thought I'd share the stockings I made for my family. They are either needlepoint or cross stitch and have been in the process of being made for several years now. I just finished stitching Mariana's today and got hers and mine sewn together and hung up this evening. It was SO satisfying.

Moments Together

2008-11-23T18:38:00.000-08:00

I really like how this layout turned out. I took these pictures of Peder helping Jake with the dishes while I was on bed rest with the girls. Peder helped daddy with a lot of chores during that time and he was a good little helper....most of the time.

Happy Girl

2008-11-21T13:04:00.000-08:00

The pictures for this layout really crack me up. Mari was a very happy girl, laying on the floor playing, until Emmy decided that she was going to roll over and did so right on top of Mari's head. So although I do like how the colors and papers came together on these pages, I love the pictures and they always make me laugh.

Another blog...

2008-11-20T17:29:00.000-08:00

I started this blog so I would have a place to post some of my crafty creations. I have a lot of things that I create on a regular basis that I want to have posted somewhere on the internet. I will add to this regularly....I have a ton of completed projects that I already want to post. Some of those projects will have to wait until after Christmas, since I'm making some gifts again this year.

The first thing I will share is the most recent thank you cards I made. They all have the same general papers, but the flowers are all different. Here is a sample.