Dressing as a Beanie Baby comes down to three things: one soft colour from head to toe, a pair of animal ears, and a big red heart tag hanging where people can see it. Get those right and anyone who grew up in the '90s knows what you are before you say a word. The ideas below lean on hoodies, leggings, pajamas and faux-fur trim you probably already have or can thrift, with felt from the craft shop for the details. Each person in a group or family can be a different animal and still belong to the same collection. As a sewist, I'd spend most of my time on the ears and the tag, because those are the two pieces people look at first, and the hoodie mostly needs to be the right colour.
Sewing a Heart Tag Big Enough to Read Across a Room
The heart tag is the one piece every costume below shares, and it's also the piece most people make too small. A tag the size of a playing card disappears against a hoodie. I aim for something closer to the size of your hand, so it reads in a group photo and from the other side of a party.
- Cut two hearts from stiff red felt, or from red card if the tag only needs to last one night.
- Glue a slightly smaller heart of white felt or paper on the front as a border, then a red heart on top of that, so a thin white outline shows. Cut the lowercase letters from white felt for the front.
- On the inside, write the costume's name, a birthday and a short rhyme with a fine marker, the way the real tags do. People open them, and it's half the fun.
- Punch a hole near the top, reinforce it with a small circle of felt, and hang the tag on ribbon or a plastic loop.
- Fix it to an ear, a headband or the shoulder seam. Not around the neck, and never on a cord a child could pull tight.
Card bends in rain and gets crushed in a bag, so for anything outdoors or for kids I always go with felt.
1. Peace Bear Beanie Baby Costume
Peace the Bear is all about the tie-dye, so start with a pastel tie-dye hoodie and matching joggers or leggings. Make the rounded ears from tie-dye fabric too, cut so the colours run the same way as the hood, and attach them to the hood or a headband. Don't chase an exact match to the toy; every tie-dye bear came out slightly different, and a loose match reads fine. Paint a small black bear nose, a short line for the upper lip and some soft pink blush. The felt peace sign on the chest is the detail that names this bear, so I'd tack it on with a few stitches you can snip out later. Hang a large red heart tag near the ear or shoulder, and wear white sneakers, pastel high-tops or fuzzy slippers.
2. Princess Bear Beanie Baby Costume
Princess is the purple bear with a white rose on the chest, and that rose is what people look for. Wear a purple fleece hoodie with matching leggings or joggers, or a simple long-sleeve jumpsuit, and add round purple ears. I cut the rose from white felt in a spiral and roll it up, stitching through the base; it holds its shape far better than a flat cut-out. A low ponytail or hair tucked into the hood keeps the ears visible. Lavender eye shadow, a little blush and a small black nose are enough makeup. Tie the red heart tag to one ear with ribbon, never tightly around the neck. Purple sneakers, ballet flats or fuzzy boots finish it, and a satin bow under the chin adds a neat touch.
3. Valentino Bear Beanie Baby Costume
Valentino is a white bear with a red heart on his chest, which makes him one of the fastest builds here. A white hoodie and white sweatpants with rounded white ears give you the body. Fix the red felt heart over the chest with fashion tape or safety pins placed on the inside of the garment, so nothing shows. White cotton marks easily, so I keep makeup to a black button nose, a few whisker dots and lightly flushed cheeks, and powder them so they don't print onto the hood. Wear the hood up for a fuller plush shape. Hang the red collector tag near one ear or the shoulder, and add red socks with white sneakers for a flash of colour. It's warm and simple enough for school or a family party.
4. Valentina Bear Beanie Baby Costume
Valentina is the pink sister to Valentino, with a white heart instead of a red one. Wear a pink sweatshirt with matching joggers or leggings, or a fleece onesie, and add rounded pink ears to the hood. The white felt heart goes on the chest, and the red hang tag stands out well against the pastel. Pink eye shadow, rosy cheeks, a small black nose and a short curved mouth make a sweet face. Two low buns under the ears are a fun touch, but they push the hood up, so I sew the ears slightly further back to allow for them. Pink sneakers or fuzzy ankle boots keep the colour going, and white gloves help on a cold walk.
5. Curly Bear Beanie Baby Costume
Curly is the brown bear with the nappy, curly fur, so texture matters more than colour here. A teddy-fleece hoodie gives that curl better than plain sweatshirt fabric, so look for one with brown joggers and matching gloves. Faux-fur ears on the hood make the shape clear straight away; faux fur sheds when you cut it, so I snip through the backing only, from the wrong side, to keep the pile long. The deep red ribbon at the neck should be stitched to the shirt and sit loose, never tied snug. Neutral eye makeup, a little bronzer and a black nose suit him, and natural curls are a bonus. A slightly oversized fit gives the floppy, huggable shape, with the red tag near the shoulder and brown boots or sneakers.
6. Patti Platypus Beanie Baby Costume
Patti the Platypus is a good pick if you don't want another bear or cat. Wear a deep pink or purple hoodie with matching leggings as the body. The bill is the build: I layer orange felt over thin craft foam, glue the two with fabric glue and then topstitch the edge, which keeps it flat and stops the felt peeling away. Fix it to a headband so it sits above the face, not over the mouth. Add small round eyes on the hood and a flat felt tail at the back. Because the bill does the talking, plum eye shadow and pink blush are plenty. Hang the red tag at the shoulder, and orange shoe covers, sneakers or rain boots make the webbed feet.
7. Peanut Elephant Beanie Baby Costume
Peanut the Elephant is a soft light-blue build. Start with a light blue hoodie and matching sweatpants, leggings or pajamas. The big ears are cut from blue felt with pale pink inner panels; large felt ears flop forward under their own weight, so I add a layer of stiff interfacing between the two felt pieces and stitch them to the hood along a curve rather than a straight line. The trunk is a light fabric tube on a headband, leaving nose and mouth clear. Grey-blue shadow, pink cheeks and a few freckles give a friendly face. Hang the red heart beside one ear where it shows in photos, keep the shoes light blue, and stuff a short felt tail with fabric scraps.
8. Bubbles Fish Beanie Baby Costume
Bubbles is bright yellow with black stripes, so she's easy to spot across a crowded room. A yellow long-sleeve top with black horizontal stripes and yellow leggings or joggers do most of it. Felt side fins go under the arms, a yellow headband carries two round fish eyes, and a fan-shaped tail fixes to the back of the waistband. I sew fins to the side seams rather than the sleeves; on the sleeves they twist every time you lift your arm. Yellow shadow, glossy pink cheeks and a few small bubble dots are the makeup. Put the red tag near a shoulder or fin, wear yellow sneakers with black socks, and keep every fin soft enough to sit and dance in.
9. Stripes Tiger Beanie Baby Costume
Stripes the Tiger is a straightforward animal build in black and orange. Start with an orange hoodie and leggings and add black felt stripes along the sleeves, sides and legs. Cut the stripes slightly wavy and tapered at the ends; straight bands look more like a sports kit than a tiger. Rounded ears need pale inner panels, and the stuffed striped tail attaches firmly at the waistband. Black eyeliner draws the nose, whisker dots and a few short stripes on the forehead and cheeks. Wear the hair loose around the ears or tuck it into the hood for a smoother shape. Hang the red tag near the ear, and add black sneakers, orange socks and paw gloves if you like. Soft pieces only, nothing stiff.
10. Freckles Leopard Beanie Baby Costume
Freckles the Leopard is the spotted cat, and the print does most of the work. Pick one leopard-print sweatshirt or fitted top and pair it with matching leggings or loose brown pants. Stick to a single print. Mixing two animal prints looks busy and loses the toy feel. Rounded cat ears, a flexible spotted tail and faux-fur wrist cuffs finish the body. Golden shadow, a black nose, whiskers and a few painted spots at the temples tie the face to the fabric. A high ponytail between the ears or hair tucked under a spotted hood both suit. Hang the red tag from the headband or shoulder seam, and wear brown boots, black sneakers or tan flats.
11. Snort Bull Beanie Baby Costume
Snort is the red bull, and he should look cute, not cross. Wear a red hoodie with matching joggers and add black felt hooves at the wrists and ankles. The horns are beige felt, lightly stuffed; I put a pipe cleaner along the inside curve of each, which keeps the bend without making them hard enough to poke anyone. Fix them to the hood beside small red ears. A soft black oval on a headband suggests the muzzle without covering the mouth. Warm red shadow and a little black liner around the nose are enough, plus a thin red tail with a black tuft. The tag hangs at the shoulder, black sneakers go on the feet, and leave aggressive props at home.
12. Chocolate Moose Beanie Baby Costume
Chocolate the Moose turns brown basics into a woodland costume. Begin with a chocolate-brown hoodie, matching sweatpants and dark brown gloves. The antlers are the hard part: felt alone droops, so I back it with thin craft foam and keep the span narrow enough to get through a door without turning sideways. Rounded ears sit just below the antlers, and a short brown tail goes on the waistband. Matte brown shadow, a dark nose and soft contour on the cheeks make the face. Tuck the hair into the hood so the headpiece stays centred. A tan belly panel gives the front some depth. Hang the red tag by one ear and wear dark brown boots or simple sneakers.
13. Sly Fox Beanie Baby Costume
Sly the Fox is orange, black and white, with a white chest that matters as much as the ears. Wear an orange hoodie with black leggings, or orange joggers with black panels on the lower legs. Pointed ears with white centres, a white chest patch and a thick orange tail tipped in white carry the character. For the tail, a tube of orange fleece stuffed loosely with a white fleece cuff at the end looks plush and stays light; heavy stuffing pulls the waistband down. Copper shadow and a soft wing of liner give fox eyes, with a small black nose and a few whisker dots. Loose waves or hair under the hood both work. Hang the tag near the ears, and black boots or sneakers hide the dirt outdoors.
14. Velvet Panther Beanie Baby Costume
Velvet the Panther is an all-black build with a sleek finish. A black velour hoodie, black leggings and soft black gloves give her plush sheen, and velour catches the light far better than cotton jersey. Add rounded ears and a long flexible tail. Smoky eyes, a black nose and subtle whiskers keep her friendly. On an all-black face, a touch of silver highlighter around the eyes keeps the features from disappearing in photos. Wear black hair loose, or a simple black wig if you want everything to match. The red heart at the shoulder is the brightest thing on the outfit, which is exactly right. Comfortable black sneakers or flat boots, and reflective piping if you'll be out after dark.
15. Blackie Bear Beanie Baby Costume
Blackie is another dark costume, but the round bear features keep him clearly apart from the panther. Wear a black fleece onesie, or a black sweatshirt with loose joggers. Add circular black ears with dark grey inner panels and a small tan oval on the tummy. An all-black outfit can look flat, so I add faux-fur cuffs a shade lighter at the wrists for some texture. The face needs a rounded black nose, a short curved mouth and warm blush. Two little buns under the ears are fun, though the hood alone makes a good bear head. Tie the red tag near one ear with ribbon, and black fuzzy boots, sneakers or slippers keep the colour going.
16. Pinky Flamingo Beanie Baby Costume
Pinky the Flamingo is pink all over, with a few black accents. Start with a bright pink long-sleeve top and matching leggings, then layer a tulle skirt on top; tulle gives volume with no shedding. Scalloped felt wings and a small tail panel go at the back. A pink headband holds two round eyes and a light curved bill with a black tip, which I stuff with a little fiberfill so it keeps its curve. Shimmery pink shadow, peach blush and glossy lips suit her. A high bun gives a long, clean neckline. Hang the tag from a wing or shoulder, wear pink flats, sneakers or boots, and black ankle cuffs suggest the flamingo's darker leg joints.
17. Legs Frog Beanie Baby Costume
Legs the Frog has an easy, relaxed shape in bright green. Wear a green hoodie with leggings or loose sweatpants, add large round eyes on top of the hood and a pale green oval on the tummy. I stuff the eyes with fiberfill and add a circle of craft foam at the base, otherwise they sag sideways after an hour. Felt webbed hands go over gloves, and green shoe covers make the feet. Green shadow, rosy cheeks and a wide curved smile are simpler than full face paint. Keep the hair in the hood so the eyes stay on top. For the floppy Beanie Baby shape, add thin, lightly stuffed panels along the forearms and thighs, kept slim so you can still sit and walk. Tag at the shoulder.
18. Inch Inchworm Beanie Baby Costume
Inch the Inchworm is a rainbow of stripes and adapts well for adults or children. Wear a long-sleeve top with wide green, yellow, orange and blue stripes over green leggings or joggers. If you can't find the stripes, sewing bands of fleece onto a plain top takes an evening and holds up better than fabric paint. Two short felt antennae on a headband and rounded green ear covers build the head. Rainbow shadow and pink cheeks carry the colours without full face paint. A soft segmented tail can attach at the back, kept above the knee so nobody steps on it. Lightly padded sleeves and legs give the plush roundness, and leave hands and feet free. Tag near the headband, green sneakers on the feet.
19. Batty Bat Beanie Baby Costume
Batty the Bat suits Halloween without being frightening. Start with a brown or deep rust hoodie and matching leggings. Add oversized rounded ears and scalloped fabric wings running from the sleeves to the sides of the shirt, short enough to reach, sit and move. If you want the wings to hold a shape, run flexible wire along the top edge only, bend the ends back on themselves and cover them completely with fabric so nothing can poke through. Bronze shadow, a small brown nose and soft cheek shading make the face. Two tiny felt fangs go on the hood opening rather than in the mouth. Hang the tag near one ear and wear brown sneakers or ankle boots.
20. Spinner Spider Beanie Baby Costume
Spinner the Spider only works if the extra legs stay soft and light. Wear a purple hoodie with black leggings and sneakers. Stuff six narrow black fabric tubes with batting and attach three along each side of the torso. I tie the upper pair loosely to the sleeves with thread so they lift when you raise your arms, which is what makes people laugh. A purple headband with several small felt eyes does the head, and lavender shadow with a few black dots keeps the face simple. The red tag goes at the shoulder, clear of the legs so it doesn't tangle. Purple gloves balance the colour. Skip realistic spider detail; round shapes and bright colours keep it friendly.
21. Spooky Ghost Beanie Baby Costume
Spooky the Ghost is an easy white build with a soft floating shape. Layer a loose white poncho or oversized sweatshirt over white leggings and cut the hem into broad rounded waves. Sweatshirt fleece doesn't fray, so the cut edge needs no hemming, which saves real time. A white hood with two small black felt eyes makes the ghost head without hiding your face. Pearly shadow, pale blush and a little white shimmer are better than heavy theatrical makeup. Add short rounded fabric arms if the poncho needs more shape. The red heart is the only strong colour on the costume, so hang it high on one shoulder. White sneakers, fuzzy boots or slippers, and reflective white trim for a dark street.
22. Pumkin Beanie Baby Costume
Pumkin is the jack-o'-lantern Beanie Baby, cheerful rather than scary. Wear an orange hoodie and matching joggers or leggings, and attach black felt face shapes to the front. Round eyes and a smiling mouth keep the stuffed-toy look; sharp triangles make it a carved pumpkin instead. A green felt stem and curled leaf go on top of the hood. Orange shadow, peach blush and a few gold freckles make the face festive without covering it. Hang the tag from the shoulder or hood seam, and green gloves with orange sneakers keep the palette going. For a rounder shape, I sew a pocket inside the front for a padded orange panel, so it comes out for washing.
23. Gobbles Turkey Beanie Baby Costume
Gobbles brings fall colour into a full plush build. Start with a brown hoodie, brown leggings and tan sneakers or boots. The fan tail is layered red, orange, yellow and brown felt, attached to the waistband with elastic. Felt fans flop open in the middle, so I stitch a strip of craft foam along the base where the feathers meet. Small brown wings sit along the sleeves, and a headband carries round eyes, a soft orange beak and a red felt wattle placed well away from the mouth. Copper shadow, warm blush and tiny gold freckles are the makeup. Hang the tag near one wing. Keep the tail narrow enough for hallways and chairs, or make it detachable for the car. It's a good one for school and cool evenings outside.
24. Derby Horse Beanie Baby Costume
Derby the Horse is all about the yarn mane. Wear a brown hoodie and matching leggings, then sew dark brown yarn from the top of the hood down the back. I loop the yarn through a strip of felt first and stitch the felt to the hood, which is much quicker than knotting each strand into the fabric and doesn't stretch the hood. Add pointed ears, a soft muzzle panel and a long yarn tail. Bronze eyes, a little contour and a brown nose finish the face. Hang the tag by one ear. Riding-style boots look sharp, but flat ankle boots or sneakers are kinder for a long walk. Black felt hoof cuffs at wrists and ankles help, and you can skip reins entirely.
25. Daisy Cow Beanie Baby Costume
Daisy the Cow is built on a white base with black patches. Wear a white hoodie and leggings and add irregular black felt patches across both. Cut the patches freehand and make no two alike; matching shapes look printed rather than toy-like. Small rounded ears with pink centres and soft beige horns go on the hood, with a pale pink belly oval and a slim tail with a black tuft. Black-and-white eye makeup, rosy cheeks and a pink nose with two nostril dots make the face. Hang the tag beside one ear. Black sneakers or boots suit the palette and handle wet grass. A felt bell stitched flat at the neckline adds detail without jingling all night or pressing on the throat.
26. Goldie Fish Beanie Baby Costume
Goldie is the warm golden fish, and she's light and washable if you keep cardboard out of it. Choose a mustard-yellow sweatshirt with leggings or joggers, attach rounded felt fins under the arms and a soft fan-shaped tail at the back of the waistband. A yellow hood with large side-set eyes makes the fish head, and scalloped felt patches suggest plush scales; I overlap them like roof tiles from the bottom up so they lie flat. Gold shadow, apricot blush and a glossy highlight on the cheekbones suit her. Hang the tag near a fin. Golden sneakers or yellow flats. Make the tail from two layers of soft fabric so it moves and you can sit through a party in it.
27. Zip Cat Beanie Baby Costume
Zip the Cat is black and white and comes together from everyday basics. Wear a black hoodie and leggings, with white socks or ankle cuffs for the paws. Pointed black ears with pink centres, a white chest patch and a long flexible black tail make the cat. I put a length of thick cord inside the tail so it swings instead of hanging limp. For makeup, use white liner on the inner eye, a pink nose, whisker dots and fine black whiskers. Hair goes in a low ponytail or under the hood. Hang the tag beside one ear. Black sneakers with white soles echo the two tones, and soft white gloves make the paws show up in group photos.
28. Nip Cat Beanie Baby Costume
Nip is the golden-brown cat, so the textures matter. A tan or caramel hoodie in fleece or velour, with matching leggings, gives you that well-loved stuffed-animal softness. Add triangular ears with pale pink centres, white felt paws and a white muzzle panel round the hood opening. The golden tail should attach at the waistband and curve up a little; a strip of plastic boning sewn along one side holds that curve. Bronze shadow, a pink nose, fine whiskers and peach blush are the makeup. A loose braid down the back or hair under the hood both work. Hang the tag beside one ear and finish with tan sneakers, white socks and soft white gloves.
29. Fetch Golden Retriever Beanie Baby Costume
Fetch the Golden Retriever is a friendly dog in honey tones. Wear a golden-brown hoodie and joggers and add long floppy ears in slightly darker fleece. A pale cream belly panel and a soft fabric muzzle add depth at the front. Brown liner, a round black nose, whisker dots and warm blush make the face. Stuff the tail gently so it hangs from the waistband without dragging. Hang the tag near one ear, wear golden sneakers or tan boots, and dark brown gloves can stand in for front paws. My favourite detail is pinning one ear a little higher than the other; it gives the curious, head-tilted look a plush puppy has, and costs nothing.
30. Bones Dog Beanie Baby Costume
Bones is a brown-and-white puppy made from comfortable neutral pieces. Wear a light brown sweatshirt with matching pants and add irregular cream patches on the chest, back and legs. Give him one plain brown ear and one with a cream patch, which is the kind of mismatch that makes a toy look real. A black nose, short whisker dots, a small smile and light blush are enough paint. Stuff a small fabric tail lightly and fix it at the waistband. Hang the tag beside one ear, and brown sneakers with cream socks make the paws. For a child's version, I attach the felt patches with hook-and-loop dots, so the sweatshirt and pants go back into the drawer on November 1.
31. Twigs Giraffe Beanie Baby Costume
Twigs the Giraffe brings height and pattern to the theme. Begin with a mustard or tan hoodie and leggings covered in uneven brown felt patches; giraffe patches are blocky with narrow gaps between them, so cut them as rough squares and polygons rather than round spots. Small ears and two short fabric-covered ossicones go on the hood, a brown yarn mane runs down the back, and a long tan tail with a dark tuft finishes the body. Gold shadow, brown liner and a few spots on the forehead and temples tie in the face. Tuck the hair under the hood so it doesn't cover the mane. Hang the tag at the shoulder, wear brown ankle boots or sneakers, and keep the head pieces short for indoors.
32. Roary Lion Beanie Baby Costume
Roary the Lion is all about the mane, and it should be full without being heavy. Wear a tan hoodie, matching joggers and golden sneakers. Build the mane from layered strips of brown and caramel fleece stitched round the hood opening, keeping every strip clear of the eyes and mouth. Fleece doesn't fray, so I cut the strips and give them a gentle stretch, which makes them curl at the edges and look fluffier. Rounded ears sit above the mane, with a long tan tail ending in a brown tuft. Warm bronze shadow, a black nose, whiskers and soft contour make the face. Hang the tag from an ear or shoulder, and brown gloves keep hands warm as paws.
33. Waddle Penguin Beanie Baby Costume
Waddle the Penguin is the one I'd pick for a cold night, because the costume is cosy layers by design. Start with a black hoodie and black leggings and attach a large white oval across the chest and tummy. Short black felt wings go along the sleeves and an orange beak on the hood opening, with a headband of round eyes underneath for definition. Silver shadow, pink blush and a little orange at the nose are the makeup. Hang the tag near one wing. Orange socks over black sneakers suggest the webbed feet without awkward shoe covers. An oversized hoodie gives the round, floppy penguin shape, while fitted leggings keep the walking safe.
34. Scoop Pelican Beanie Baby Costume
Scoop the Pelican is a fresh white build with a big orange bill. Wear a white sweatshirt and leggings and attach layered white felt panels from the sleeves to the torso for the wings, kept close to the body so you can get through doors. The bill is long, so weight matters: I make it from craft foam covered in orange fabric and fix it to a headband, sitting above the face so your mouth stays clear. A bill that's too heavy tips the headband forward, so try it on and shake your head before you finish. Small round eyes on the forehead and a short white tail add detail. Icy blue shadow, peach blush and minimal liner. Tag near a wing, orange sneakers or soft shoe covers.
35. Beanie Baby Group Costume
A Beanie Baby group lets every friend or family member choose a different animal while staying in one collection. A good mix might be a tie-dye bear, the blue elephant, a green frog, the leopard, a black-and-white cat and a golden lion. Everyone wears the same hoodie-and-leggings base with their own ears, tail, makeup and comfortable shoes, and sneakers are the easiest shared choice. Give everyone the same oversized red heart tag, but fill in the inside with each costume's name, birthday and a short poem, just like the real tags. When I make tags for a group, I cut them all from one template so the set looks like it came from the same factory. For photos, put taller costumes at the back and the brightest colours in the middle.
Sewing Ears Onto a Hood So They Stand Up
Almost every animal on this list depends on ears, and floppy ears in the wrong place make a bear look like a mouse. I cut each ear as two layers of felt or fleece with a piece of stiff interfacing between them, then fold the bottom edge into a small pleat before stitching. That pleat cups the ear forward and helps it stand.
Put the hood on first and mark where the ears should sit with pins, usually a little in front of the top seam. Pinning them on flat and guessing is how you end up with ears on the back of the head. Hand-stitch along the base and a little way up each side. If you'd rather not sew into a good hoodie, a padded headband worn under the hood does the same job, with the ears poking through two small slits.
Fleece, Minky or Felt for the Plush Feel
The real toys are soft and a bit shiny, so fabric choice changes how close you get. Fleece is my default: it's warm, doesn't fray and comes in every colour. Minky, the short-pile fabric used for baby blankets, looks the most like the toys but is slippery to sew and sheds lint everywhere when you cut it, so pin heavily and vacuum after. Felt is for details only. It pills and stretches if you use it for anything you sit on, and cheap acrylic felt can bleed colour if it gets wet, so test a scrap before stitching red felt onto a white hoodie.
The Red Tag Is What People Read First
None of these plush costumes needs complicated sewing or specialty pieces. A hoodie in the right colour, comfortable bottoms, a pair of ears, a tail, light makeup and a big red heart tag turn everyday clothes into a '90s toy. Choose your animal by the colours you already own, the weather and how much crafting time you have. Fleece is the fabric for a cold walk; lighter cotton and felt are better for a warm party. Since most of the details can be attached temporarily, the base clothes go back into your wardrobe afterwards. Going solo or dressing a whole collection, I'd put clear animal details, safe accessories and good shoes ahead of everything else.
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