The concept is quite solid now and the design is gradually being 'fleshed out'.

Some of the elements in this sketch were dropped from the final design... a coin and a galleon; some oak leaves and trees. The image of a paper scroll was tempting, but eliminated because I felt that it would make for tedious stitching.

A Compass Rose (upper-right corner) was added at this point... but still had to find a place to dock. Other elements that are particular to the Oak Island story have also made their way onto the page... the helmeted Spanish 'conquistador' in the upper-left corner and 3 gold links (that were purportedly discovered in the excavations).

This image also shows the instruction (to myself) to make the Spaniard 'transparent'. Originally, I intended to stitch him in ghostly, grey tones but later decided to use the coppery-gold Kreinik thread that was already embellishing the Compass Rose.