The Tale of the Pello Head Project
The tale begins at the
Quilter’s Gathering on the Volunteer’s weekend in 2024, when Jan-Maree
trustingly handed her phone to Pello. I mean if she can’t trust a Board Member
who can she trust? Our ever comical Master of Ceremonies for the night, Tracey
Pelling swooped upon the opportunity to leave her a selfie which has led to a
string of “consequences” from Jan-Maree, the best of which has now come to
fruition.
“The Pello Head
Project” was started.
The Selfie
That fabulous Pello
Selfie was printed many times over and the sewing volunteers were given “The
Project” to use the said “Pello Head” in some way, shape or form and turn it
into a comical “Pello Block”.
All volunteers
accepting this challenge were given some sneaky background information about
Pello to use (there may have been some FaceBook stalking involved) - we all
know that AHQ sewing people can be imaginative, creative and silly. So, using
our skills of cutting, slicing, appliquéing, painting, fusing and sewing, the
Pello Head was incorporated and the blocks were born!
I had the task of
collecting the blocks and producing a quilt top out of them all. I really was
somewhat hesitant as what was arriving in my mail box can only be described as
a random assortment! Was this really going to look any good in the end??? My work
began with trimming to size and bordering each block with the chosen navy print
and voila, I could now see this was going to turn out good…..very good, in
fact. Oh, and I embroidered the name of the block’s maker on each so Pello
could see who made each block.
With blocks scattered
on my family room floor and convincing our beagle, Bentley, they should not be
sat /laid upon, stolen or eaten (as Beagles tend to do!) a pretty balanced
layout was achieved. The navy borders and corner stones brought the blocks together
as one….zoom, zoom, zoom on my trusty Janome (You all remember Pello’s sewing
machine jokes don’t you???- if not ask her!).
Over to Philomena next
- quilter extraordinaire. Binding done and “The Pello Project” was completed!
One thing left for me to do - I suggested an accompanying piece of prose so
Pello could have a record of our “Pello Project”.
So now we are up to
Friday 24th October, 2025 at the Quilter’s Gathering.
The room is abuzz with
the volunteer’s catching up with friends of previous years. Personally I think
this night is one of the highlights - the atmosphere is casual, it’s lots fun
(Pello ensures that!!!), the guest speakers are always inspiring (and sometimes
very emotional) and the “goodie bags” and “lucky Prizes” just seem to get
better! A big THANK YOU to all those involved in the mammoth task of gathering
“Stuff” for us!
Soon it was my turn to
steal the mic from Pello and JM and usher Pello back to the stage. (She thought
she was on a break - hahahaha).
Congratulations
everyone for keeping a secret - the Pello Head Project! Thank you to all
contributors …We all did so good as Pello was actually speechless for several
minutes and a bit overwhelmed when the quilt was unveiled.
Surprised Pello
When she composed her thoughts again, I can tell those who
couldn’t attend the evening, Pello was very grateful for all the work everyone
did on their blocks and the many memories that they bring back. In fact, she
told me the next morning, she slept under it on Friday night (after a few
wines!).
The Quilt was
displayed on Saturday night along with the accompanying prose for all to see or
check out again and a group photo taken. (Insert Photos 3, Saturday night
Display, Photo 4. A Very Grateful Pello, Photo 5 Pello, Quilt & AHQ Ladies)
Saturday night Display
A Very Grateful Pello
Pello, Quilt & AHQ Ladies
And to finish off, the Pello Head Project Poem that was read out during the presentation.
The Pello Head
Project
We know
our MC Tracey Pelling is always up for a bit of fun
But
tonight is ours for the telling, Don’t let her go ‘til it’s done.
Our tale
begins in this place, a year ago, JM - handing over your phone, a definite NO!
You were
the next recipient of a Pello prank, a doozy of a selfie was left to thank.
JM
rallied the volunteers for payback, and this is what came back…..
Pello
heads by the score and more as sewing these blocks was not a chore.
Back to
the lectern for another go, JM gave the task to the Original Gangster that is
Pello.
Deni G
knew how she would begin,“Hello, I’m Pello”, but JM’s timeline would soon make
her head spin.
Thinking
back to that night and the G-String Bag, We all waited patiently for our name
as a tag.
Now
Marianne has made a G-String Bag for Pello, in Lions colours of Maroon, blue
and yellow.
So
Rachel’s bikini and Cathy H’s sexy underwear can now be safely stored,
Or
should Pello get bored,
A show
for the audience, just make sure of your tolerance ….
Past
life as a “RAAFie”, a “sumpie” no less, fixing “stuff” to operate at their
best,
Aircraft,
trucks and now the Diva’s Digger, give her a call if you need a hole bigger.
From
RAAFie to Police Officer, a welcome change,
Anna C
brings to the fore, one thing that is for sure,
Many
horses say “Thank you, Sarge” as the fraudsters are brought to charge.
Incidentally
Melissa L couldn’t decide, if Pello was in the front or back of her police car
But the
horse beside her giving happy looks, as there are now a few less crooks.
Migrating
south for someone who is a tropical flower
Does not
make sense with the cold and constant showers
But the
Victorian rural life with her loved one and many animals was a-calling.
Rescued
doggo’s, sheep, horses and chickens, “Knackers”,”Greg”, “Dotti”, “Fantapants”
to name a few,
Su J,
Melissa L, Kirsten, and Anne H, they all thought their recognition was due,
An
integral part of the quilt they became.
Meanwhile,
you were riding a pink pony, at the club by Cathie J, Okay?
You will
always hear the moans and grumble, the weather forecast under her breath she
will mumble.
Colleen
made Pello a snowflake, Susan B gave her a VB hoodie
Sue-Ellen,
froze Pello to a snowman
Meanwhile
winter is regularly told where to go, thought Ellen.
Pello’s
passion is any kind of sport, touch footy, cricket, biking, NRL and AFL,
Anne H,
Ann S, Lois, Swanky and Sue, all remembered - Maroon, yellow and blue
Another
thing for all to note, have a fire blanket at ready, in case of hunger pains
and the needy
Never, I
mean never, get Pello to cook up a storm, Bel P has warned of charcoal the
norm.
Who
would consider moving house, Brissy to Mack-town? Simple, cut it in half and
load on to semis,
Bev C,
Jacqui D, Heather and Joy all agree “Trust those tie downs are tight and
secure”,
A 1000
kms of Bruce Highway that house had to endure.
Made it
she did and established at Finch Hatton. Go horse riding or cycling, Ride, Rest
and Repeat.
Ann S -
“Restore your mind, a Veteran’s retreat”, get the picture of a countryside you
cannot beat.
Philomena
had Diva’s Digger ready to work, according to Heather, she’ll be down getting
dirty,
When day
is done, Bring on the beers or three, ‘cause Pello will be thirsty.
I am
sure Sue-Ellen, Susan B, Anne H and Swanky and anyone else are welcome to join
the party.
So this
is Pello’s Quilt - “amazing” says Joan B, she’s one of a kind and true blue
A
veteran on the board of AHQ!
It was
over to Philomena who works the magic of the quilting machine
Then the
binding in time for Pello to receive,
Maybe
she’ll be short of a word or two??
-oo0oo-
