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"TraVeL ThRouGh ThE LaNd Of “Soft in the Head”
...the home of “Singing and Dancing Mice & Humorous Frogs!”.

Where “Original Designs” of patterns and soft sculpture characters come to life..…

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For Patterns check out the...."Soft in the Head" site
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For Finished Characters: Click Here

Monday, January 24, 2011

Not Enough Ever Said.....

The Sisterhood of PFATT................
As I sit here pretty much isolated from "PRETTY MUCH" everything I have known in the last 20+ years I begin to reminiscence about how my life has changed, some for the better and some "not so much"....But what makes the "not so much" tolerable is knowing that within a click away I have a multitude of friends to give me support and encouragement through the dark times. I have NEVER felt as rich with friendships like I do now. Seven years ago I was invited to be a member of a wonderful ebay group known as PFATT (Primitive Folk Art Talk and Tea)....I never realized how this group would change my life and make me feel blessed in many ways. When Dan I moved to Virginia 6 years ago I started a life that would not include much contact with the outside world around me....you see I live in a part of Virginia where people like me have a tough time fitting in. I'm a Pagan, have no children in school and I work from my home. This part of Virginia is very different from me and I'm kinda like a speed bump in their everyday existence so they like driving around me instead of just dealing with me. It's okay cause I like my isolation after spending way to many years working 60+ hours a week and raising a family, solitude is often a gift. I enjoy nature, it's my church, so I have plenty of time to attend services, lol! Anywho, PFATT has been my rock in keeping this old bird sane and often challenged when the artistic "mojo" has decided to leave the building. Our forum on ebay is a place for all of us to go for a word of encouragement or to shed a tear or two and get some much needed laughter! I still remember "Phil and Sniper Kitty"....don't ask! We are a bunch of diverse artists that believe in the fine art of friendship, encouragement and sharing. There is no jealousy, vindictiveness or shallow mud slinging.....we save that for outside the realm of PFATT (just kidding)....we all try very hard to leave the pettiness at the Ebay door and be a positive place to go. Many of the PFATT Sisters have had tragedy strike in their lives and all of us have been there to support each other to get us through especially when we lost one of our own, Penny McAllister! There will always be an empty chair at the PFATT table with this loss......God I miss her! There is more to this group than I could ever put into words.......one person's pain gets divided and shared with so many. PFATT has branched off to have it's own Marketplace, www.pfattmarketplace.com managed and run by Sandy Wood....which is updated on the 10th of every month. The name PFATT has been recognized throughout the world as a place one can find some of the BEST artwork in the art world. Many of the artists have been featured in magazines and are licensed by some major companies. Just to know that these remarkable women are my friends and inspiration makes me bubble with pride and love for them all! Here's to another PFATT-FEST for 2011......Bring on the "Lemon Drops and the laughter!

7 comments:

Kady said...

What a wonderful testimony to friendship, sisterhood, and unconditional acceptance and love. You said it all. We should all be so blessed to have such friends in our lives.

Stitchesnstrokes said...

I just love your post, gave me goosebumps! :) I know a lot of how you feel and you are truly blessed to have such great friends who are as close as the telephone or your fingertips.

Unknown said...

This is SO nice! What a dear person you are, and yes it's true,the PFATT sisters are, LOVE and FRIENDSHIP... one great big PFATT Heart of goodness!! :-)
~ Deb

Sam I Am said...

awww pam.. ::: sniff :::
i miss all you girls.. i soooo look forward to our next pfatt pfest and finally getting to meet and hug you !! xoxoxoxo

Evelyn said...

They must be a great group as you are one of their members! Love you and your work, Pam!

Evelyn

Unknown said...

Hi Pam,

I got teary eyed reading your post. My mom told me so many things and one I must have listened to was, if by the time I die I can count my friends on one hand then I have lived a full life with true ones. As I have gotten OLDER :-) I understand what she and this meant and it is so true.
I live in Fairfax, VA right in the middle of the chaos and insanity that No Va has to offer and I have realized I don't have the time or energy for all you talked about that comes with some so called friendships which has resulted in me being alone lots. It is so fine because I love my time and love the peace and rest. Which leaves me with all kinds of time for the hobbies I love and the "few" true friends I do have. And I consider myself a very fortunate human being as a result of this wisdom. Too bad we don't have all this wisdom when we are young. LOL!!!!

Lynn

Robin Armstrong Seeber said...

Pam you rock and are our rock and great inspiration! I miss you all too, and I never even met you Pam!!what sweet things to share...

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