Sunday, March 3, 2013

It's Time To Celebrate!!!!






Can you believe it?  The Cupcake Inspirations Challenge has reached its 200th challenge.  Thanks to all our wonderful sponsors, who generously supply prizes for a winner and samples for the design team to use.  We have been so lucky to work with these companies and  every week one of our fans has been the lucky recipient of a prize.  This week is a really big deal.  Each of the design team members have a prize to give away and there's a Grand Prize worth over $200 on the Cupcake Inspirations Blog.  Some of the sponsors are offering special discounts this week in honor of our celebration.  You can find out those details on the CIC blog post.   

We've set up a blog hop so you can visit each of the designer's blogs.  For a little more fun we're being joined by some of our past designers.  If you are following the blog hop you should have started at the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge blog, if you didn't start there you can go back and start from there now, I'll wait here for you to come back.  You should have gotten here from our past designer Anita's blog, Anita Be Stampin' and when you're finished here you'll be going to visit Christine's blog Sweet Pea Cards.  If you get lost along the way just stop back at Cupcake Inspirations where you can find the list of all the participants as well as the links to their blogs. 


For this challenge we've asked each of the designers to pick a favorite cupcake from the past challenges.  I had a ridiculously difficult time picking a favorite.  I don't think there was a single one I didn't like.  Let me give you a piece of advice.  Don't look for your favorite cupcake on an empty stomach (don't ask me how I know).  I gravitated towards the cutesy cuppies.  In the end I decided upon these adorable chickies.  They look yummy and they make me think of spring.


Each of the design team members has been teamed up with a sponsor and I am so lucky to be paired with a Day for Daisies who are giving away a $12 gift card.  In order to be entered to win this prize all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post, it'd be nice if you were a follower but you don't have to be.  To win the Grand Prize all you need to do is make a card inspired by any one of the 200 inspiration photos and link it up on the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge Blog.   You have until Saturday, March 8 2013 at 12:00 noon CST to make your comment here and/or link up your creation to the CIC blog.  You'll have to visit the other designers to find out how to win the prizes on their blog.  So when you're done here just start hopping along and enter whatever ones you'd like.

 
I do love a Day for Daisies.  It was love at first sight for me.  I think the designs have a unique, crisp and fresh look to them.  They can be used as is or they can be colored.  Here's what ADFD have to say about themselves:
A DAY FOR DAISIES Offers the very best quality and variety of digital stamps. Enjoy themed categories of over 1500 fun and whimsical digital images, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions! We also offer an exclusive freebie section so visit us at the shop www.adayfordaisies.com and come play with us!
 
When I make a card for CIC I try to find an image which resembles or has something in common with the inspiration photo and I try to use the color scheme too.  For this card I used the image "Nesting" because I thought the little hatchling chicks looked like the chickies on the cuppies and I used papers that were in shades of beige and yellow like the cuppies.  Because these colors are so soft and subtle I chose a peach ribbon to give the card a little pop.  The lace that's under the ribbon was originally white.  I used Copic E40 refill ink to color it.  It's alcohol ink so it dries very quickly.  All you need to do is drop the lace (this works well with ribbon too) in a baggie and squirt in a couple drops, mush it around a little and it's done in a couple seconds.  If you're concerned about the drying just blast it with your heat gun for a couple seconds.

Here's the deets:
stamp - A Day for Daisies "Nesting"
ink - hp printer
paper - Rubber Soul "Garden Variety Collection" dp; My Favorite Things "Natural" card stock; Stampin' Up "So Saffron" card stock
miscellaneous - copics; Stampin' Up "Festive Paper Piercing Pack" and "Window Frames Framelits"; My Favorite Things "Circle Stax" die-namics; lace; ribbon; pearls; machine stitching

Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC200 - use your favorite CIC photo
A Gem of a Challenge - Add a Bow
4 Crafty Chicks #131 - You've Got Me In Stitches
Simon Says - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to leave a comment before March 8, 2013 at 12:00 Noon CST if you'd like a chance to win the $12.00 gift certificate to A Day for Daisies.


In case you haven't been to the CIC blog yet you might be wondering what exactly is the Grand Prize. Well hold onto your seats, here's a list of its contents:

a $25 gift certificate from 7 Kids College Fund,
a $30 gift certificate from Bugaboo Digi Stamps,
a $50 gift certificate from Crafter's Companion,
a $12 gift certificate from A Day for Daisies,
a selection of 20 rolls of Washi Tape from Downtown Tape,
a $20 gift certificate from Freckled Fawn,
3 digital images from Fresh Brewed Designs,


3 cupcake digital images from Limited Runs Digital Stamps,
3 digital images from Pink Cat Studio,
a $25 gift certificate from Prairie Fairy,



2 digital images from Robyn's Fetish,
and a selection of cupcake stamps from Verve Stamps!

The next stop along the blog hop is Christine's Sweet Pea Cards.
 

61 comments:

  1. Super cute card. - Those little chicks are very cute.
    I'm part of the hop so don't include me when you pick your winner.

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  2. Your ake on the cupcake inspiration is adorable. Love the cute chickies. Merily hopping along.
    Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

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  3. Aww, those chicks are adorable! This is a perfect Easter card :)

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  4. adorable card, I am part of the hop...have a fabulous day!

    enjoy *~*

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  5. Beautiful. I love the different colors of the chicks. That is a great detail!

    Erica (in the hop, no prize for me!)

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  6. This is darn cute. I love baby chicks. Everything is enchanting.
    Hugz,
    Christine Dt Sister

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  7. The chick cupcakes & card creation are tweet sweet. Like Spring. Warmer weather, Easter, flowers, ...
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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  8. Chris, your chicks are adorable!! Great advice too on picking the cupcake inspiration...I'll eat first. ;) Fantastic job on your card and I love the peach ribbon for pop as well as the gorgeous ribbon you've dyed. I feel confident enough now with your tutorial to give it a try. Thanks so much for the wonderful opportunity. I'm already a follower and love your work!
    hugs to you,
    Lisa x

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  9. Chris I love all of your cards but this spring beauty is gorgeous x Those chicks are soooo cute x
    I don't have many ADFD images so I would love to be entered into your giveaway - thanks x
    Thanks also all the great inspiration you provide each week over at Cupcake inspirations :)
    ((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

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  10. Oh Chris, what a sweet card :) I love the way you framed those cute little chickies. :)

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  11. So glad I came across this hop! The inspiration photo you used is adorable. Love your card. Thanks for the introduction to a new line of stamps.

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  12. oh Chris, your cad is absolutely perfect for the cute cupcakes! I so love all of Tammy's images.
    everything about your card is wonderful! :)

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  13. such cute cupcakes! your card is sooooo BEAUTIFUL! love everything about it. happy hop day, Vanessa CIC DT (no prize)

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  14. What a cute card! Love that image you used...thanks for the opportunity to win!!!!!

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  15. This is just so darling! Love those soft colors!
    {hugs}
    Debbie
    CIC DT

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  16. Your card is so cute! And those inspiration cupcakes are so incredibly adorable. They were one of the sets that really caught my eye when looking through all the past challenges.

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  17. Precious card! Love the chicks!

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  18. Ahhh perfect Easter chicks, so cute x

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  19. It is such an adorable card, love the softness!

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  20. So sweet!! Love the little chickies, and all that wonderful stitching on your card!

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  21. What a pretty card. I love the sweet image.

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  22. Chris what a fabulous card! These little chucks are just too cute! Congrats on hitting 200 challenges too! woo hoo!

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  23. This card is perfect with the inspiration. It's very cute and I love your coloring too.

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  24. Aww the image is adorable and so is the card you have made using it, I love the die mats and thank you for the tip re colouring the ribbon it's a great idea x

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  25. Love the card ,your chicken cupcakes are so cute! congratulations on 200 challenges
    Hugs Julie P

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  26. Such a sweet card, love the soft colougings of the eggs and chicks!

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  27. what a sweet card, love the cute chicks and soft colors!

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  28. Total sweetness! Thank you for posting this. I just love it.

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  29. I really like the muted colors of your card and the stamped image is cute (and fluffy!) Like the stitching detail too; someday I'll work up the courage to use my sewing machine on my cards!!

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  30. Those are cool cupcakes. I love your card that you made. Thanks for sharing.

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  31. Your card is adorable and the cupcakes look so yummy. Love how you even carded the color through on your card.

    Mari

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  32. Such a cute card! I love the details! :) Nancee

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  33. Awww, how sweet! Love those little chicks! :^) Love the die cuts, design, paper, stitching, and dyed ribbon and lace, too! :^)
    Hugs, Penny

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  34. Those cupcakes made me smile! How adorable. And, your card is so cute! Love the stitching and layout. =0)

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  35. Hi Chris
    You did a gorgeous creation with a cute chicks image, love it.♥
    Great job! Thanks for your inspiration. ♡ :-)
    -Sony
    sonia-studio60.blogspot.com

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  36. Nice card n colors n cute chicks....love it!
    Hugs,
    Jill ~ CIC DT

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  37. Love these adorable little chicks...perfect for a springtime card!

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  38. Wonderful take on the picture, love your card! Just posted my entry for the 200th challenge...
    grtz.Colien

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  39. Absolutely gorgeous and adorable !

    Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Challenge this week

    Hugs

    Jo x

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  40. I love the peeps. Great card. Very springy looking.

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  41. Your card is so pretty, and those cupcakes are so cute! :)

    Peace, Love, & Cricut Hugs!
    Monica L.

    moni023 at yahoo dot com

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  42. Gorgeous card - adorable image and I love the LO.
    Thanks for playing along with us at AGOAC this week.
    Good luck
    Debs xx

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  43. This is a wonderful card. Those chicks are just adorable. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  44. Gorgeous card! Love the fresh colours x

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  45. Those cupcakes are sooooo super ubber cute,
    and so is your card
    LOVE the colors,
    Thanks so much for sharing your talent with all of us!!
    Hugs
    Lorianna

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  46. Awesome card!! Look at all that wonderful stitching! Thanks for joining in my challenge at 4 Crafty Chicks this week :)

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  47. Oh MY Goodness these little guys are so cute! I love the way you stitched around the edge of the card and behind the image. Simply stunning. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creation with us at 4 Crafty Chicks.

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  48. TOTALLY Cute!!
    Have a wonderful day,
    Migdalia

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  49. What an adorable card! I love the soft colors and your coloring is fantastic. Thanks for the tip on coloring lace/ribbon.

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  50. Beautiful card.I love the chicks and the colors.thanks for sharing.

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  51. awwwwwwwwwwwww Brillaint got to LOVE chicks and love your card and those cupcakes thehhee
    thanks for a fun stop on the hop! hugs Samantha :0)

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    my latеst webѕitе and I would like to find somethіng more гіѕk-freе.
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  53. Your card is fabulous! Those cupcakes are way too cute!

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  54. These chick cupcakes are too cute. And your card is gorgeous. Love the paper and vibrant orange ribbon.

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  55. Love, love this image and what an amazing card you created with it too!! Love everything about it and your intricate sewing is spectacular. Thank you for the inspiration.

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