Adoption Finalized ~Let's Celebrate! Cupcake Toppers

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law were blessed last year to finally have their arms filled after years of heartbreaks and waiting. 

This week, his adoption was made final and it was definitely a time to celebrate!
My mother-in-law baked the cupcakes and asked me to come up with a topper for them.  I {of course} turned to my go-to program, My Digital Studio.  

I set up 4 of his pictures within square "digital punches" filled with the Designer Series Papers that come with MDS.  That way, after printing, I knew I would have it spaced enough to use my 2 3/8 scallop circle punch.  I shadowed the circle of the photo so it might give the appearance of being layered.

For the backs of the cupcake topper, I created some with a saying "For this child I prayed" from the passage in 1 Samuel 1:19-20.  Others with "Our Little Blessing" and then a couple different little animals.  My MIL wanted the colors to be bright so I used Crushed Curry {the yellow} and Tempting Turquoise for the digital stamping of the animals as well as the background papers and solid colored "real" cardstock.  

I had them printed as an 8 X 10 at Sam's.  It is slightly higher than Staples but is much thicker since it is photo paper.  It also won't run/smear should it get wet with icing or whatever it is put in.

Then I punched them out, mainly using my 2 3/8 scallop circle punch and 1 3/8 circle for the animals.  

I layered where needed on solid colored cardstock to coordinate.

ready to assemble!

Next I used hot glue to adhere the fronts and backs to the sucker sticks.  Some say to use tape but not only is hot glue faster, it is also stronger, in case anyone chose to keep it like a souvenir.  

I got these sticks at Walmart, 50 for $2.  Wooden skewers would have been just as tall and half that price.  Either would have been fine, though, and these got the job done.

Ready for pick up from my MIL!

Here is a full shot of them in action, taken by the mama.

 And some close ups by my MIL {since I somehow forgot my camera}.

{The parents like Snoopy, hence those little guys thrown in there}

 Thanks for looking!  And Congrats Little "L" on a wonderful Forever Family!