A Sailors' Valentine

The distant climes may us divide
to think of you shall be my pride
The winds and waves may prove unkind
in me no change you’ll ever find
A magic spell will bind us fast
and make me love you to the last
Let Cupid then your heart incline
to take me for your Valentine.
...Author Unknown

While in Florida my friend taught me how to make a Sailors' Valentine. I worked on it during stormy days, in the evenings while icing my knee and the last night of my visit until 3am. I wanted to finish it before I came home. It was frustrating and fun all at the same time but I am so glad I made one. Thank you, KC.

One of these days I hope I can learn how to change the background on picmonkey or phone app!!!

https://www.islands.com/sailors-valentines-nantucket-maritime-tradition

[Joy's Focus]

It's beautiful! All made from shells it looks like.

[Kathie]

That's lovely. Well done. Old ones are collector's items.

[CC Folk]

@joysfocus Yes...all made from shells. :). I made up the pattern and glued seashells together to make the flowers with purple coquinas and pink jewel boxes, cut green tusk shells were the circles in the center circle...all natural shell colors. I still have not learned all the names of the shells. :)

[Ulrika]

wow... this is beautiful!

[eDorre]

So very beautiful!

[tony gig]

Like a compus on a ship, wonderful shot... Fav.

[Elyse Klemchuk]

This is wonderful!

[Walks @ 7]

A work of art and love. Never seen one before and truly appreciate the link.

[Diana]

What a stunning work of art, a real masterpiece! Wonderful patterns and colours, well done. Fav

[Kitty Hawke]

Fabulous piece of work. Well done.

[Margo]

And it is very beautiful fav

[sally agnew]

It is gorgeous :)

[Nova]

Such a beautiful creation. Well done and so creative. :)

[Henri Russell]

Very intricate design. It is beautuful.

[*lynn]

Wow, very beautiful and so special that you made it yourself!

[wendy frost]

Such a beautiful creation love how you have cut the shells and grouped others together to make flowers.FAV

[gloria jones]

Lovely still life...great colors, shapes

[carol white]

Really beautiful. Fav!! 😀

[HappySnap]

That’s really lovely. Must have taken you hours. A treasure to keep.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

You did a wonderful job. It is beautiful.

[Taffy]

It's quite intriguing.

[Wylie]

wow, that's impressive.

[Margaret Brown]

Very impressive work, love it, fav

[Sandy Z W]

WOW how wonderfu!! I've made a mini one but never one this big. Did you buy the shells there or did KC have them? So intriquite. I'm so impressed!!

[CC Folk]

@yogiw We did spend some time at 3 different shops for me to buy tiny, similar size shells. KC also had some for me to use. She also cleaned the ones I bought (if needed) while I was icing my knee.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

It's pattern is so intricate you can tell you put a lot of work into this. I love the colors too. Your attention to detail paid off - it's beautiful. AS for changing the background, I believe there is a tutorial right on the Picmonkey website to do that. I'm just not sure where it is as I don't use that program very much.

[CC Folk]

@olivetreeann Thank you, Ann. I did enjoy making the valentine but at times the shells would move out of place and I would get frustrated with the whole thing. I learned a lot and maybe next time, it will be easier...if there is a next time. And as for the background and editing tricks, one day I hope to figure it out! :)

[Merrelyn]

Well done on creating this beautiful piece :)

[CC Folk]

@merrelyn Thank you for your kind comment and follow. :)

[Beryl Lloyd]

Just had to look back at your last year's design (this one )another beauty but I think you have excelled yourself in the creation of 23-2-2019

[CC Folk]

@beryl Thank you Beryl. This was my very first valentine. It was a smaller 7” size. My second valentine is the 10” from this year. Each one gets a more intricate design. I enjoy making them when inspired by being at the beach. I had a good teacher too. :)