A couple of months ago, the thought of
leaving Greece to go back to our home in California was quite
distressing. We decided to stay for one more year. Then, career
plans changed, and we are returning home after all. However, now
that it is real, instead of just being thought about, I find that I
am looking forward to returning home.
First, there are all the different
foods that I love that I can’t get here; simple things like
non-dairy coffee creamer and real donuts beckon me. Fast food and
Chinese take-out are guilty pleasures that I can’t wait to indulge
in again. While I love Greek food, nothing beats a greasy burger
from one’s favorite joint.
Mostly, though, I’m looking forward
to going home where I can go shopping and find all the wonderful
embroidery supplies that make my heart sing. Here, I can get some thread for machine
embroidery, but it’s just not enough! I need stabilizer and
embroidery designs and Peltex and Mulberry Paper and
everything else. When trying to find those things here, most of the
shopkeepers think I’m trying to sell them something. It’s funny
to hear the words “no thank you” when I’m trying to buy
something, but it gets frustrating, too!
I do have a wonderful embroidery
design gallery that I can visit online for my shopping needs, so
I haven’t had to do completely without my supplies for the last
four years. They offer machine embroidery thread, top quality
discount embroidery designs, patterns, tutorials and anything
else I can possibly need. Still, I like to browse the shops
sometimes, too. It’s just not possible to meet my friends for
lunch and shopping online!
When I was last in California, I
actually didn’t do much shopping at my local shops, preferring the
selection and pricing of the design gallery instead. Instead, I
would go to the local shops to see and feel everything they had to
offer. Then, I’d go home and order online for much better pricing.
While purchasing new machine embroidery designs
online, I’d also pick up a couple of fabulous free embroidery
patterns or designs as well. The shops don’t offer that!
Another thing that I am looking forward
to is being able to pick up an embroidery
magazine that is written in my native English. From time to
time, I would buy a Greek magazine for the pictures and inspiration.
For the most part, I could follow along with the pattern by using the
diagrams, but it would be so much easier if I could read it! The
beautiful projects made the magazines worth it, though.
As my life gets turned upside down from
an international move, my love of machine embroidery is
keeping me grounded. When I finish a task here, I allow myself some
time to stitch a little project or do a bit of shopping. I’m
looking forward to setting up my new sewing room wherever we end up.
And, even more, I’m looking forward to being an embroidery
artist in America again. I guess there really is no place like home.
No comments:
Post a Comment