I use thread heaven with my silks. But, I probably also use slightly shorter lengths - maybe 14 inches? Also, I used size 24 petite needles rather than 26s - it helps to keep the silk from dragging. And I definitely played with stranding. In some of the flowers I used 2 strands, some I actually used 3 because I didn't like the "X" kind of look with 2. In the rosebud row, where she used 1 for the bud, I used 2 - as I thought it just disappeared with only 1 strand.
I'll find where I put the pix, and send some. I have to reduce the file size, as I think I took them in macro mode, and they ended up huge files which I had just quickly let Cheryl see - much to her mailbox's dismay!
Ellice