Cheryl, You are NOT going to believe this. I ordered exactly the same pattern and received it TODAY! I opened up the spiral folder and did the same thing you did. I said "Wow!"....blended colors like I have never seen! It is a beautiful pattern. I am "trans planted". My home state is Virginia. The Cardinal is the state bird of Virginia and I have searched for a while to find just the right picture. What's that old saying "Great minds run in the same channels"!!! Happy stitching my friend.
Carol

I've heard of Scarlet Quince. Looks like they live up to their reputation and you' ll both be stitching the masterpiece of your lifetime.

Carol,
It is so true about great minds working together. Were you as surprised as I was by the number of blended symbols? I almost had a heart attack. I hope you had better luck figuring out the cross reference symbols than I did. I read it several times and just couldn't make it work for me but they were so prompt from Scarlet Quince and once they explained it to me it was so simple to understand. It will be awhile before I start this as I am still doddering along on my "lying in wait" project and then have a great white shark to do for my husband. But I saw that pattern and just had to order it. I learned a long time ago that when I see a pattern I like to buy it then because I might not be able to get it later. Hope all is well with you and you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather. It was 80 degrees here in NW Pennsylvania the other day. Such a relief from the minus 30 we had awhile ago.
cheryl

clplatt, I've been so busy and sick and haven't been able to keep up here but I am positive that it was you who provided the great information about medications. My doctor told me that many people experience severe diarrhea while on Metformin. I've been there several years ago from something else I was taking. I cannot handle that. I had to plan my life around routes that had facilities available. I hate public facilities. Since I am supposed to take this and various other meds as preventives, I think that I would rather try to do it with diet. I truly appreciate yours and syagel's input. Thank you. I also apologize for not getting back sooner.

Speaking of cardinals - I saw the most beautiful pair at my bird feeder over the weekend. I am so excited when I receive visits from birds other than house finches and mourning doves. Although, they are enjoyable too. I lived in VA for several years and absolutely love it. Your project sounds very complicated - all those blended threads but that's what makes it so beautiful. Good luck and I hope that you will post the finished work soon so that we all can enjoy it.

42 -
Wow! Those Audobon patterns are BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to see them on here! :)

The SQ website is really something...

Texasstitcher,
Glad I could help with the meds. I know all about the routes with public facilities and I can tell you where every one is in town and in the surrounding towns. Since I have taken myself off those meds and gone to watching what I eat and how much I eat life is much better. Take care and I am glad I helped.
cheryl

Cheryl, I counted....there are roughly 130 blended colors! That is definitely the most I have ever had in any pattern I have used. The pictures are exceptional though. I think I see what is going on with the symbols. We are getting ready to head to Naples, FL Sunday morning. I will look more closely at this chart when we return. We will take the Cape May Ferry down to Lewes, Delaware. We will take our time going through the Carolinas. We will stop somewhere in Bermuda's territory and see if MARY LEE is anywhere around!! We'll be gone two weeks. When we return we will cross over and come up to the Shenandoah Valley where I have family. I can't wait after this long winter. Good luck as you progress with Lying in Wait. Take care.
Carol

jlhewes, read your post...."masterpiece of a lifetime"...yes I think with this many blended colors, it may very well take me the rest of my life!!!! Just finding the colors to blend will be no small challenge. Take care.....

Texas Stitcher, I agree...this picture will be a challenge. Oh well, it won't be my first one!! If you can, I hope you will try to follow Cheryl's advice and work on following this "diet" approach. I think you will feel much better. I have had horrible consequences with medications. Won't even go there. I am much better now also watching carefully what I eat. You guys try to stay out of trouble while I am gone!!!!
Best wishes, Carol