Blending Filament and Talavera

Sometimes it takes so little to make me happy - and this time it was a package in the mail, full of the Kreinik blending filament I had ordered last week. - Exciting!!

I haven't used BF in a while, so had forgotten how gorgeous the Kreinik is, as it has not only an enormous number of colors, but also (like the Sundance beads I prefer), several different "finishes" or types within one color - such as the Vintage, high luster, cord, etc. It also gives me the best performance of any of them.

Originally, I had chosen the colors especially for a planned project involving coral reefs and sea fans - but meanwhile had taken a day or two off from the regular painting, to design some new pieces - little Talavera crosses that are tree ornament size.

I didn't design Christmas ornaments for many years, as back in the 70's and early to mid 80's, there was nothing that sparkled to enhance them, and I didn't like anything drab and lifeless on the tree. These crosses don't require a lot of sparkle and shine either - but certainly need something, and the colors of BF I have are great for them!! A happy accident, indeed.

My thought with these is that crosses on a Christmas tree need to be joyful and colorful, in keeping with the gaiety of the season, and these certainly are - and will be great worked in cotton floss with Kreinik braid on the outlines and some blending filament in the flat areas of pattern.I've heard a few rumbles lately about problems with the filament breaking, fraying, etc., but I have never experienced this.

I do have a way of using it that might be a little different, involving the way the needle is threaded. I do believe that threads should be used according to their limitations, and as this is a tiny filament, that must be considered.

I've also heard complaints about it's slipping into the plies of the thread and not showing up with every stitch - but this is what it's supposed to do, and is what I like about it! I don't want sparkle on every stitch, as it's absolutely subtle this way. I use it when I don't want a fiber that is total sparkle and glitz on every stitch. We need a bit of variety!

Anyway, I plan a stitching tutorial with cotton floss and Kreinik blending filament and it's wonderful possibilities over on Freebies Etc. soon, so stay tuned!!