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February is Black History Month —and so much more

In Get Hats, Latest News, The Multi-Slouch on February 6, 2012 by sioso Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

February's SWEET DEAL- buy two & get a bottle as a present

In honour of FEBRUARY festivities Mama says: Put A Hat On! is offering a sweet deal. BUY a hat in combination with another Put A Hat On! product (hat, pouch, body-pouch, wishmark card set) and receive a delicious bottle of a mouth watering fruit-based liquid treat and a discount coupon from STEAM TEA HOUSE (aka Nolan the tea-guy). The custom Adinkra designs featured on the two hats above are Osram Ne Nsoromma “the moon the star” a symbol for love, faithfulness and harmony. West African Adinkra symbol influences are part of my original designs.

Happy New Year- Gung hay fat choy- Feliz Año Nuevo-Aide shoma mobarak- Bonne année – Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu- Xin nian yu kuai- Buon Capo d’Anno

AND…did you know that —FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February is also Groundhog day, Valentine’s day, Ash Wednesday and locally a public art project called A SIGN FOR THE CITY is rebranding the nightly nine o’clock canon blast linking it to various BC history.



some of the stats in this video are significantly dated (i.e. population now 1,000,000 vs 500,000 quotes) put the spirit of the message rings true. For another look at African-Canadian History via government PSA: Proud of our History – Blacks in Canada 

Mama RENEWS the triple challenge as a collective NEW YEAR’s resolution.

  1. DO SOMETHING – random and kind for someone else (near or far)
  2. GO GREEN- reuse/ recycle /repurpose EVERYTHING POSSIBLE (incl. wrappings)
  3. BE MINDFUL- Make something or Buy something locally handmade (hint – hint)

WHERE TO FIND Mama…

Mama says: Put A Hat On! and book a home Mad-Hatter-Party (performance and product showing) with a Valentine, Un-Valentine theme throughout February. You can find Mama storytelling at various community events in February. Saturday February 18 between 12-2pm at Trout Lake Centre’s GRAND opening. Sunday Feb 19 at 1pm at Collingwood Neighbourhood house. Some are not open to the public so contact us at  putahaton@gmail.com for other listings as there may be some near YOU.

Mama’s fabulousness has been featured in an article at www.thelunchkitnews.wordpress.com, as a Mama entrepreneur with Mama says:Put A Hat On! Thanks Katrina Boguski for the great write-up!

continuing in– WHERE TO FIND Mama…

Hear ye hear ye- calling you to Kali trading Co. boutique on Commercial Drive where you can find a lovely supply of Mandala Wishmark card sets ($7.50 ea/ 3 for $20). Kali has a wonderful and eclectic collection of international and local treasures. FOR UNIQUE AND OFTEN HANDMADE GIFTS this is a must-shop-stop whatever season.

Mama says: Put A Hat On! Mandala Wishmark card sets ($7.50 ea/ 3 for $20) have landed at “LAND“. 110-243 Union St (between Main & Gore). Perfectly paired with Mama’s environmentally conscientious Mandala wishmark sets, LAND is all about creating a healthier, less stressful & wasteful world. LAND features recycled, re-loved materials like towel bars made from driftwood as well as Koo Koo Design’s organic loungewear, towels, blankets and other affordable green accessories and gifts.

story pouches with Adinkra designs

  • West African Adinkra symbol chart. These symbols influences are part of my original designs

Mama says: Put A hat On! is open to taking NEW orders ready 1-2 weeks or less. Contact us via email: putahaton(at)gmail.com

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November… Ain’t nothin but a ‘not-Spring’ thing

In Get Hats, Latest News, The Multi-Slouch on November 4, 2011 by sioso

November marks the beginning of sometimes crazy consumerism leading up to the Holidays.

Mama puts forth a triple challenge: THIS HOLIDAY (check this video out) and

  1. DO SOMETHING – random and kind for someone else (near or far)
  2. GO GREEN- reuse/ recycle /repurpose EVERYTHING POSSIBLE (incl. wrappings)
  3. BE MINDFUL- Make something or Buy something locally handmade (hint – hint)

WHERE TO FIND Mama…

Mama says: Put A Hat On! Mandala Wishmark card sets ($7.50 ea/ 3 for $20) have landed at “LAND“. 110-243 Union St (between Main & Gore). Perfectly paired with Mama’s environmentally conscientious Mandala wishmark sets, LAND is all about creating a healthier, less stressful & wasteful world. LAND features recycled, re-loved materials like towel bars made from driftwood as well as Koo Koo Design’s organic loungewear, towels, blankets and other affordable green accessories and gifts.

Mama says: Put A Hat On! is at at the North Vancouver Community Arts Council Gift Shop. There are a selection of holiday hats and Adinkra story pouch sets (with double for nottin’ NEW books, as gifts with purchase). They are available for purchase M-F 9-5 & Sat 12-5. West African Adinkra symbol influences are part of my original designs.

Also continuing are showings at Mis’cellany Finds Commercial Drive location. A wonderful local business and social enterprise Mis’cellany Finds  continues helping to turn make believe into reality for THIS local women (and many more) through their non-profit WOMEN WORKING WITH WOMEN (W4) . The Stores (advocating responsible reconsumption) will be FEATURING: a collection of Mama says: Put a Hat On!  adult & youth hats!!

AND…  The ship has not yet sailed for finding Put A Hat On! fall and holiday hats at OCEANA GLOBAL DESIGNS. located in the heart of the marine market area of Granville Island (near the giant propeller). They carry hand made embroidered boots, bags, clothing, jewelry and other decorative and functional objects from Turkey, the Silk Road and other regions. They showcase local artists’ and artisans’ work.

Two chances to WIN an ORIGINAL Mama says; Put A Hat On! creations …

story pouches with Adinkra designs

November 5th at “Healthy, Happy Children: Brighter Futures” Autumn Family Fair sponsored by

Children Need Care Now CAPC Coalition – at Britannia Community Centre

FREE, but by registration only – Multilingual workshops on different topics for parents, a children’s program and a final performance in the auditorium ending with door prizes/lucky draw.  For information, call 604-802-4744. or email eastsidecapc@gmail.com

Mama (Siobhan) will be doing a workshop on Storytelling Tools Woven in Living Colours. Through a variety of fun, creative activities they’ll learn about and practice storytelling,  explore colour meanings and play with a beautiful array of coloured yarns, weaving a simple piece of art.

November 12th NEW PERSPECTIVES EVENT; Honouring Your Natural Brilliance and Move Your Thing, Energize Your Life

Mama says:Put A hat On! will be available on hand for future orders, off-site sales and have a door prize goodie available to be won by a lucky participant!!!

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October “Harvest and Howl” showings

In Get Hats, Latest News on October 3, 2011 by sioso

Who doesn’t love to dress up, strut about and bring some make believe into the everyday! Well this month a wonderful local business and social enterprise Mis’cellany Finds  continues helping to turn make believe into reality for THIS local women (and many more) through their non-profit WOMEN WORKING WITH WOMEN (W4) . The Stores (advocating responsible reconsumption) will be FEATURING: a collection of Mama says: Put a Hat On!  adult & youth hats!!

The Tide has turned and OCEANA GLOBAL DESIGNS is launching their store. Oceana is located in the heart of the marine market area of Granville Island (near the giant propeller).

Now carrying Mama says: Put A Hat On! fall and holiday hats

They carry hand made embroidered boots, bags, clothing, jewelry and other decorative and functional objects from Turkey, the Silk Road and other regions. They showcase local artists’ and artisans’ work and invite the public for opening events (Oct 15th) and artists’ talks.

in performance news…

  1. CANCELLED- Sunday October 16th, 6-7 pm at the Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athletes Way Vancouver BC Way- Siobhan presents harvest and halloween tales

Come see Mama says: Put a Hat on! New fall items (wish-mark card sets; the ‘Punkin-head’, Ghosties ans Spider-head Halloween hats and the ‘smile-on-this’ hats & more. (Shows will run approx. 40min each)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As a published fiction and non-fiction author, Siobhan is an accomplished bilingual singer and storyteller of Folklore, World Issues and Culture. She incorporates the West African Adinkra symbols relating meanings and giving added significance to her designs and tellings. Textile arts, and their significance, feature prominently in so many Cultures, their stories, many myths and fables. Her Caribbean and African Canadian Heritage also make her a particularly wonderful teller with the many ‘Anansi and Aesop tales’. Her stories are about community living, creation-tales and honouring resources- but with Buffoonery and lots of laughs!

Contact me for further details: putahaton@gmail.com

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next step in… September Performances and New items for fall

In Get Hats, Latest News on September 19, 2011 by sioso

NEXT UP…

  1. Saturday September 24th, 12pm at the Hogan’s Alley Cafe,789 Gore— Siobhan presents her published article “Reigning Word; a history of BC’s Black playwrights”
  2. Sunday Sept 25th at 11;30am Word on the Street with the Vancouver Society of Storytelling, Vancouver BC
  3. Sunday Sept 25th at 3pm Hogan’s Alley Festival, at Hendrix Shrine 207 Union St (@Main)

MORE DETAILS BELOW….

 Mama’s Word on the Street PERFORMANCE: Sunday 25th 11:30-12 (Hamilton St; Raise A Reader tent)

View Larger Map

Word On The Street Vancouver is expanding to a three-day event. The 17th annual festival will take place from Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25, 2011 Enjoy a weekend jam-packed with author readings, exhibits, performances, and all-round literary mayhem.

Come see Mama says: Put a Hat on! New fall items (wish-mark card sets; the ‘Punkin-head’ Halloween hats and the ‘smile-on-this’ hats & more. (Shows will run approx. 40min each)

As a published fiction and non-fiction author, Siobhan is an accomplished bilingual singer and storyteller of Folklore, World Issues and Culture. She incorporates the West African Adinkra symbols relating meanings and giving added significance to her designs and tellings. Textile arts, and their significance, feature prominently in so many Cultures, their stories, many myths and fables. Her Caribbean and African Canadian Heritage also make her a particularly wonderful teller with the many ‘Anansi and Aesop tales’. Her stories are about community living, creation-tales and honouring resources- but with Buffoonery and lots of laughs!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As part of the City of Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary events:

The Hogan’s Alley Festival, Vancouver BC

Mama’s two Hogan’s Alley PERFORMANCEs :

  • 12-4pm Hogan’s Alley Cafe Chat event, Saturday Sept 24th, a Non-Fiction published article “Reigning Word; a history of BC’s Black playwrights”at 789 Gore (@Union) and
  • Stories & Songs,  3pm, Sunday Sept 25th, at Hendrix Shrine, 207 Union St (@Main)

Hogan’s Alley Poetry Festival is a celebration of diverse communities in Vancouver through Spoken Word, Storytelling, Music and Literary Performance For Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary.

The festival will run at various locations from September 23rd – 25th. – Click on the poster, above, for larger view of details.

The Black Dot Roots and Culture Collective with the support of the National Congress of Black Women are collaborating to pay tribute to the heritage and creative contributions of Vancouver’s East End community as a part of the city’s year-long 125th Anniversary activities.

Contact me for further details: putahaton@gmail.com

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September Performances and New items for fall

In Get Hats, Latest News on September 8, 2011 by sioso

Come see the New fall items (wish-mark card sets; the ‘Punkin-head’ and the ‘smile-on-this’ hats & more. Four FREE ‘all-ages’ shows (Shows will run approx. 40min each) starting this Friday September 9th as part of

The Spirit Square Farmers Market Coquitlam, BC

Mama’s PERFORMANCE: Friday Sept 9th – 4 to 5 pm

Mama’s PERFORMANCE: Friday Sept 16th- 4 to 5 pm (*Last Friday market of 2011)

As a published fiction and non-fiction author, Siobhan is an accomplished bilingual singer and storyteller of Folklore, World Issues and Culture. She incorporates the West African Adinkra symbols relating meanings and giving added significance to her designs and tellings. Textile arts, and their significance, feature prominently in so many Cultures and their stories, many myths and fables. Her Caribbean and African Canadian Heritage also make her a particularly wonderful teller with the many ‘Anansi and Aesop tales’. Her stories are about community living, creation-tales and honouring resources- but with Buffoonery and lots of laughs!

NEXT UP…

Word on the Street with the Vancouver Society of Storytelling, Vancouver BC

Mama’s PERFORMANCE: Sunday 25th 11:30-12 (Hamilton St; Raise A Reader tent)

View Larger Map

The Word On The Street Vancouver is expanding to a three-day event. The 17th annual festival will take place from Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25, 2011 Enjoy a weekend jam-packed with author readings, exhibits, performances, and all-round literary mayhem.

Next Up…

As part of the City of Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary events:

The Hogan’s Alley Festival, Vancouver BC

Mama’s two PERFORMANCEs :

  • 12-4pm H.A. Cafe Chat event, Saturday Sept 24th, a Non-Fiction Reading “Reigning Word; a history of BC’s Black playwrights”at 789 Gore (@Union) and
  • Stories & Songs,  3pm, Sunday Sept 25th, at Hendrix Shrine, 207 Union St (@Main)


Hogan’s Alley Poetry Festival is a celebration of diverse communities in Vancouver through Spoken Word, Storytelling, Music and Literary Performance For Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary.

The festival will run at various locations from September 23rd – 25th. – Click on the poster, above, for larger view of details.

The Black Dot Roots and Culture Collective with the support of the National Congress of Black Women are collaborating to pay tribute to the heritage and creative contributions of Vancouver’s East End community as a part of the city’s year-long 125th Anniversary activities.

Contact me for further details: putahaton@gmail.com

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August Performances and New items for fall

In Get Hats, Latest News on August 15, 2011 by sioso

Come see the New fall items (wish-mark card sets; the ‘Punkin-head’ and the ‘smile-on-this’ hats & more. three FREE ‘all-ages’ shows (booth #12) this Saturday August 20th as part of

Siobhan booth #12 at 11:30, 1:30, 3:30

The www.Mole-Hill.com Art & Heritage Walking tour

As a published fiction and non-fiction author, Siobhan is an accomplished bilingual singer and storyteller of Folklore, World Issues and Culture. She incorporates the West African Adinkra symbols relating meanings and giving added significance to her designs and tellings. Textile arts, and their significance, feature prominently in so many Cultures and their stories, many myths and fables. Her Caribbean and African Canadian Heritage also make her a particularly wonderful teller with the many ‘Anansi and Aesop tales’. Her stories are about community living, creation-tales and honouring resources- but with Buffoonery and lots of laughs!

Shows will run 40min each –off the main square in the laneway (1160Pendrell/Comox, booth #12 )-

11:30am

1:30pm

3:30pm

Contact me for further details: putahaton@gmail.com

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Mama says: Put a Pouch on!

In Latest News, Stories on April 19, 2011 by sioso Tagged: , , , ,

Mama says: Put a Pouch on!

Introducing the extended collection–POUCHES!

Accepting “Mad Hatter Party & Bazaar” bookings for the Windsor-Essex area July 15-25, 2011. contact us at putahaton@gmail.com

Who doesn’t need a little bag every now and again?
Whether a quick way to find your cellphone (slim to iPhone size) in the ever expanding backpacks, courier bags and purses that we find ourselves carrying– we all need a little bag every now and again. West African Adinkra symbol influences are part of my original designs.

The Akan, then later Asante, people (Ghana/Côte d’Ivoire) created the adinkra symbols which incorporate their philosophies, folk-tales and culture. They represent popular proverbs and maxims, record historical events, express particular attitudes or behaviour related to depicted figures, or concepts uniquely related to abstract shapes.

pouches with raised designs

So… Now you can carry your iTouch and iPod WITH the headphone in one place.

private items pouch

Little private items can go with you anywhere, discretely!

Enviro gift-pouch (reusable)

Stick a few items into one small pouch for a quick get up and get going- like some tissues or your camera and couple extra batteries/memory card OR some cash/lip balm & gum-AND of course they are great Enviro-Friendly reusable gift bags.

Also introducing–THE BATH Pouch collection

These bath-body pouches come in two main types:

– The 100% unbleached all natural cotton and The Loofah & cotton blend.

Both types of pouch can fit many size of bath product and bar soap. Both types of pouch lather and launder well. Both pouches come on a handy handle for easy hand use in a slippery spot.

Bath Body-Pouch

…..So,

Mama says; Put A Pouch On!

-cause THESE little pouches can carry it all in style and functionality!!

contact me to order and purchase YOUR perfect pouch.

putahaton(at)gmail.com

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February Collection Additions

In Get Hats, Latest News, The Multi-Slouch on February 13, 2011 by sioso Tagged: , , ,

So although winter is wrapping up for a large collection of us West-Coast-Canadians it’s not yet fully finished and with that in mind here are some February hat collection additions. Which like your favorite fall sweater can still get sufficient use to not warrant being packed away too soon. The weather spins on a dime and late night blustery winds can always get staved off with a well worn hat.
So, Mama says: Put A Hat On (if only on stand-by)!

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Valentines or Un-Valentines? -hats fit anytime!

In Get Hats on February 8, 2011 by sioso Tagged: , , ,

NOW BOOKING-
Valentine and/or Un-Valentine “Hat Party” events. Several
spots still available!! Party includes a gathering of friends (you
supply), assorted hat fashions (I’ll supply) themed wrappings, stories
and ‘potentially dreaded’ party games (also on me). -spread the word or
…give a shout-out to book your Vday Hat Party.

Contact Me at: putahaton@gmail.com

Valentines or Un-Valentines hats fit either way.

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I swear- I fell down some stairs

In Stories on February 7, 2011 by sioso Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the story of how crochet came back into being a significant part of my life after a lengthy sojourn from that crafty pursuit.

In the winter of 2004 my father had a serious fall then through 2005-07 was very ill. With the fall he had broken his left hip, the side that already had an amputated leg, and while successfully rehabilitating with much physio with walkers and his usual ‘one-crutch’, he then suffered a number of strokes (or T.I.A.s) through the holidays resulting in pronounced Dementia (like Alzheimer memory loss) and paralysis on his left side then making him fully wheelchair bound.

I was spending alot of time in hospital at his bedside and I found myself looking for things, activities, that were portable and worked in those sometimes cramped and sterile environments as pleasant distractions and pastimes. I immediately turned to reading HUGE quantities of fiction. I could easily read 500-700 pages in a day so ‘voracious’ was an applicable term.

I was running out of space to store all my brilliant second-hand book purchases so I needed to once again redirect my energies to something a bit more functional and sustainable.

I had been working closely with a gallery in North Vancouver that featured local artisans and came across a wonderful hand-knit hat. It was kinda funky with splashes of brown and black but it’s best feature was that it totally accommodated my head full of braids (most regular hats were too snug a fit). I snapped up the hat as a nice little ‘me-time-treat’.

When I took it with me later on my daily hospital visit to my father- I was blessed for the curtain of his dementia to have temporarily lifted and my Dad reminded me of a time when I used to ‘crochet like crazy even your doll clothes’. Well, how could I not take up that unspoken challenge and try my hand and crocheting once again.

I actually found that I still had my one and only childhood crochet hook, a metal 5mm, tucked away in my old sewing box. Then a quick trip to the store for a ball of acrylic yarn (moss green) and I was good-to-go.

I stared at the yarn and the hook for about three days trying to remember where to dive in, what to start, how to start what and what stitches to make. Finally I just launched in one night after work  (no-google search to guide me) and started up what I could, how I could and undid and redid and undid and so on. Mostly doing one stitch after another until I was certain I was remembering it right. Those efforts throughout that night created a small purse-like pouch with a lacy motif that I finished off by chaining an adjustable strap.

I was impressed with ME- wow, I totally slew the dragon of uncertainty and had a nice little finished clutch-bag to show for it- Wow, yay me. I had earned a good night’s sleep.

When I woke up the next morning to head into work and get my ‘brag-on’ about my little crochet foray I notice that I wasn’t quite at my usually speed. I figured it was due to burning the late night oils to finish my grand little project but when I tried to get dressed (read -do up my bra) I could NOT flex my wrists. I had no strength in either of my wrists and my forearms THROBBED. I managed to get to the office but was struggling to type or hold a pen- this was insane. I had crocheted me up a little ‘carpal-tunnel‘ to go with my clutch-bag- and I was mortified!

I could not possibly own up to the fact that the deep tissue pain and inability to function normally was due to a CROCHET INJURY.

What kinda of hip lady artisan reject was I?

Who in their right mind got HURT at parlor CROCHET, not to be confused with Croquet which can in fact have very justifiable injuries (just ask the Cheshire cat).  This would just not do.

So once again, Dad to the rescue: ‘ just tell them the same as me…’

– and so…

I swear- I fell down some stairs.

(my father passed away in the spring of 2007 –

– I cherish his creative inspiration that brought me back to crochet… and my mother’s great support in buying/selling from my collection ever since 😉

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