Allison Barnes Collection

Prize # 4 up for grabs is a custom necktie clutch purse valued at up to $30.  You can choose from any of my in-stock neckties, or you can provide one of your own (cost to mail a tie is less than $3).   I want to make this clutch perfect for YOU!  Lining, button and strap (if desired) will all be customized using in-stock materials.  I can help guide you to the perfect look.  Clutches can be made for any age!  I will pay for shipping (lettermail within Canada, light packet to USA). To enter:  1. You must be a fan of my facebook page: click here to like my Facebook page  2.  Leave one comment below telling me your name, email address and where/how you would use your clutch purse if you won.  If you do not leave your name, or if your username in the comment section is unidentifiable as you on my Facebook page then your entry will not count.  I must be able to verify that you are a fan of my Facebook page. 3.  I...

Prize # 3 up for grabs is a pair (two) of custom crocheted adult-sized fingerless gloves valued at $10.  You can choose from any colour of yarn that I have in-stock, or if you're local you can provide yarn of your own.  I will pay for shipping (lettermail within Canada, light packet to USA). To enter:  1. You must be a fan of my facebook page: click here to like my Facebook page  2.  Leave one comment below telling me your name, email address and what size (small, medium, large) and colour gloves you would choose if you won.  If you do not leave your name, or if your username in the comment section is unidentifiable as you on my Facebook page then your entry will not count.  I must be able to verify that you are a fan of my Facebook page. 3.  If you are a new fan and someone has referred you to my Facebook page and giveaway, please also leave THEIR name in your comment (eg. Suzie Q referred me) so that they get their bonus ent...

Prize # 2 up for grabs is a custom crocheted beanie (child or adult sized) valued at up to $10.  You can choose from any colour of yarn that I have in-stock, or if you're local you can provide yarn of your own.   I will gladly add a crocheted flower (with or without a button), if desired.  Beanie style can be a classic beanie, or a lacy beanie similar to the one pictured below. I will pay for shipping (lettermail within Canada, light packet to USA). To enter:  1. You must be a fan of my facebook page: click here to like my Facebook page  2.  Leave one comment below telling me your name, email address and what size (child or adult) and colour beanie you would choose if you won.  If you do not leave your name, or if your username in the comment section is unidentifiable as you on my Facebook page then your entry will not count.  I must be able to verify that you are a fan of my Facebook page. 3.  If you are a new fan and...

Prize # 1 up for grabs is a custom recycled wool soaker valued at $16.  You can choose from any in-stock wool sweater, or request a certain colour that I can shop for at the thrift store, or if you're local you can provide a wool sweater of your own.   I will gladly add an applique to the bum if desired, using in-stock wool scraps.  Waistband and leg cuffs will be made of recycled wool, or you can upgrade to natural coloured interlock for $6.  I will pay for shipping (lettermail within Canada, light packet to USA). To enter:  1. You must be a fan of my facebook page: click here to like my Facebook page  2.  Leave one comment below telling me your name, email address and what size/colour soaker you would choose if you won.  If you do not leave your name, or if your username in the comment section is unidentifiable as you on my Facebook page then your entry will not count.  I must be able to verify that you are a fan of my Facebook...

Are you ready for the fun?  YOU get the presents for this big birthday bash. :)  My birthday is in a couple of days and I want to have some fun for my fans (okay, it's fun for me too).  The giveaways start tomorrow with multiple prizes to be won! Don't forget, you must be a fan of my Facebook page to qualify ( Allison Barnes Collection on Facebook ). You can enter to win each prize only once however, if you refer new Facebook fans to enter (on the blog) and they mention your name in their comment/entry you will gain an extra entry (up to a maximum of 5 additional entries). You can potentially win more than one prize as entries are assigned numbers and I will use a random number generator to draw winners for each prize.  After comments are closed (either late Sunday, June 3rd or early Monday, June 4th) I will beginning drawing, verifying and contacting the winners.  In order for me to verify and contact you, please leave your name and email address in ...

My birthday is coming up next weekend and I thought I'd have a big celebration for all my fans and give YOU the presents! The plan is to start a series of giveaways on Friday, June 1st and run through Sunday, June 3rd after which time I'll close the giveaway and start drawing and notifying winners. I have a number of prizes, donated by me, that will be up for grabs.  Each prize will get its own blog post to make it easy for you to comment on the prize you want to win.  If you have a business you'd like to promote by donating a prize for the giveaway please contact me ASAP with your info.  I must have your info no later than noon (MST) on Wednesday, May 30th. The countdown begins!  T-minus 1 week. :) -Allison

Old cream can I painted for a friend...side 1 cream can side 2 cream can side 3 A second cream can side 1 side 2 Side of the outhouse at my parent's cabin. Front of the outhouse at my parent's cabin. Back of my parent's well shed at the cabin. Side of my parent's garden shed at the cabin. Front of my parent's garden shed at the cabin. Front of my parent's well shed at the cabin.

I never promised I'd be a regular poster, did I. :)  But it's been a while since my last blog post (the giveaway) and I have a lot on my mind that I want to get written down in some way or another, so I figured I'd let you all inside my brain for a few minutes. The last few weeks were busy and fun!  We went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for one week, and yes, we did take our 2-year-old son, Bret with us.  It was his third trip by airplane and he did very well.  Prior to us leaving I had been working on a few custom orders for woolies and necktie clutches.  Then of course there was the planning and packing for our trip.  (Bret playing on the beach) Upon returning home last Sunday of course I had lots to catch up on, including washing many loads of laundry and shopping for groceries.  I didn't touch my sewing machine until Thursday, and that was to repair the waistband on a pair of Bret's shorties.  I finally got down to some real sewing this ...

It's the moment you've all been waiting for.... A Birthday Celebration Giveaway! My son, Bret turned 2 today.  We had a very exciting party for him yesterday which included: some driveway hockey, some indoor mayhem with 7 kids under the age of 4... ...and of course cake! Today is much more low-key, but I'm planning some fun for all my facebook fans!  I am giving away a $25 store credit to one fan to use on any in-stock or custom item from me.    To enter: -comment on this post with what you would buy with your credit if you won!   -make sure you leave your name and email (you can use this format if desired:  allison_barnes <at> shaw <dot> ca)  -only one comment per person will be counted.  If you leave more than one comment only your first comment will be entered. The rules: -you must be a facebook fan of Allison Barnes Collection ( click here to be taken to my facebook page ) -the store...

...I'm so excited that I want to give away something to my fans for free!  On Monday, January 30th - the day my boy turns 2 I will publish a new post to the blog with "the big giveaway surprise"!  To enter to win, all you will have to do is comment on that post. All day today I've been cleaning, tidying, baking, shopping and getting things ready for his birthday party tomorrow afternoon.  I'm almost as excited for him as I was on Christmas morning. :)  I'll be sure to post some photos from his big day when we've recovered. This is just a short blog post today - I have diaper laundry to stuff and put away, dishes to wash and a soon to be 2-year-old to get ready for bed.  I hope you are as excited about the giveaway as I am - go spread the word to your friends and help my facebook fan page get to 100 fans!  I promise we'll have more fun if it does. -Allison

Considering how gutsy my friend, Christine has been with starting up her new business this year, I've decided that I need to do more things to promote my business as well.  That is why you now see Allison Barnes Collection "the blog" before you. I can't guarantee the regularity with which I'll be posting on this blog, but I hope to use it to connect with my friends and followers of both my personal and "professional" life.  Why is professional in quotes?  Well, I'm a stay-at-home-mom of a nearly 2-year-old son named Bret.  When my husband and I decided that I would stay at home to raise our son I knew that it was the right time for me to spread my creative wings. Although I have a science background I always had a desire to be more creative.  Ah!  I've just had an idea...I want to show you some pictures of my creations from way back when.  That will be another post - those photos need to be scanned into the computer first. :)  Sorry to digres...