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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Royal Hospitality

Here is another card for Gina K's challenge to use a summer memory for inspiration on your card. Gina will pick next month's CSS DT from one of the participants who will get next month's release stamps. And for this month, you can use ANY GinaK Designs stamps you have, not just the newly released ones. So, I hope you will give it a try.

Now, for my card inspiration....You all know I live in Croatia. But, did you know that I live really close to many European destinations? We're only 4 hours to Venice, Italy and 2 more to Milan. Zurich is a 12 hour drive. And Munich, Budapest, Salzburg (as in home of the von Trapps of the Sound of Music fame) and Vienna are only a few hours drive from here.

After we moved to Croatia 12 years ago, our American visitors often want to see Vienna, so we've spent a few summers, springs and falls playing tour guide there. We love Vienna - it's home to the closest TGIF's American restaurant (a taste of something familiar, which only expats will understand :-) and my family's favorite European castle, Schonbrunn Palace. I based my card on this magical place:

Here is my family in front of the Neptune fountain in the beautiful Schonbrunn garden. I was 7 months pregnant in this picture:

When I think of castles, I think damask, elegance with a touch of vintage. Here is my card using Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Additions stamp sets with the hint of royalty (I guess as much as it is possible on a card :-). The papers are Bayberry Cottage by by Pink Paislee. The damask paper matches GinaK's Wine With Everything cardstock perfectly. This card would make any hostess feel like royalty (at least loved, that you cared enough to make something to show your appreciation).
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16 comments:

  1. Beautiful card! And how wonderful that you can visit these amazing places so readily--great experience for your children!

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  2. Beautiful card, Nina! I love the colors and papers and the very elegant scene you created! More wonderful photos, too! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Beautiful Nina! Love it very much.

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  4. Another amazing card Nina! I got your chair digis from Squigglefly to make my dad and husband a Father's day card.

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  5. It is lovely Nina! I love seeing your pics of your travels! I was just looking at a map the other day and saw that Croatia is really close to some gorgeous places! How fun to play "tour guide" in Vienna!!! That castle is amazing! I love visiting castles; all the old furnishings and things--just so cool!

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  6. very cool color combo, nina! lucky you to be so close to vienna-love the pics!

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  7. Thank you for sharing a little of yourself with all of us, Nina! Just wonderful!

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  8. This card is super cute, Nina:) LOOOOOOOVE the two chairs--and the paper! FAB job:)

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  9. Beautiful pictures Nina and lovely design...what fabulous places you get to go to...

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  10. Aren't you guys cute together! Love your adorable card!

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  11. A wonderful card, Nina! It has a warm and welcoming feel to it. I adore that damask paper!

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  12. Nina- this is gorgeous! I loved Vienna when we stopped there on our way to Romania- of course our trip there was a bit crazy (here's the link for that: http://journeyoflifetamijo.blogspot.com/2007/06/journey-began.html). Thanks for sharing this lovely card (oh, and I used your newest set on my second gina k post! LOVE IT)

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  13. Sounds like you live in a great place! Love your pics....fabulous card!!

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  14. beautiful photos and a gorgeous card!! love it!

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Thank you for your kind comments.