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).