Website Up and Running!

I have finally transferred all of my blog posts to the new website! I will no longer be posting on this blog since it is on a different platform on the website.

I may pop in every once in awhile and remind everyone to start reading on the Website though!

The website is still being built and tweaked here and there. I have been working on it since November and just decided to take the plunge. With the wedding season in full swing there has been a lot of time spent on orders. I am fitting in the website design in between work, orders and life :)

Make sure to add the site to your RSS feed, comment and share the posts.

Go...now...check out RBKCreations.com !!!

A new transition

Hi everyone! I can't believe it is almost Christmas! Where has the time gone?!

Over Thanksgiving I started working on the RBK Creations website. It is definitely in it's infancy but it is transforming into something bigger and better every day. (backgrounds will change, how things are arranged will change, pretty much everything will be different..)

The website features the blog as well as information about my store, a photo gallery, contact information and much more. For now, I plan on keeping this blog here as well, updating both. There will be a point however where I will only be using the website.

I do invite you all to head on over to the website and RSS feed it into your reader of choice. I think it will be exciting to see all of the changes RBK Creations will be going through in the next month, and I want to share that with all of you! I've got plans :)

So, as things change and build on the website, let me know your thoughts! I want to create something that everyone finds interesting yet easy to navigate. (And fun, of course).

For now, I will leave you with some pictures of orders in the works. We have been busy, the past month especially.

Just two flowers out of 157 hand embroidered flowers.

A great order of blues and greens!

What fun colors! A wrist corsage, which is one of a few.


Some of the centerpiece stems for another order. I think there were 120 of these. So girly and fun!

I promise to update more pictures soon. 3 of the 4 orders above have been shipped and done for awhile now. There are a bunch of other pieces that are in the works that I have not had time to take pictures of.

Giveaway Winner!!!

Hi everyone. I want to thank every one for their patience. I am so sorry that I have not posted the winner before now. This past month has been one thing after another. I am finally getting over being sick and things are falling back into their normal routine.

Anyway, I have picked a winner for the Brandi Thompson Photography Giveaway! The winning comment was lucky number 3!!!! TeddyStartedIt is the winner! I will be contacting you for your information and I will then get it to Brandi.

Thank you all so much. And if you didn't win...Go check out Brandi's site and keep her in mind for any upcoming photo needs, she is awesome at what she does!

New Background for Product Photos

A couple weeks ago I finally had a chance to make a new background for taking photos. I have been wanting to make it for the past two months but never had a chance. It still needs a little bit of 'editing' but I think it is working well so far.

I found a big piece of wood in my garage and I used some of the left over turf from my craft show display. I think the 'cloud' background needs some more variation in color and some more depth..maybe making something 3D on it. This weekend went by way too fast otherwise I would have worked on it a bit more.

It looks fine from far away but in the actual product photos it whites it out too much.

YAY For Astro Turf. I like that I can just take it off the table and shake off anything that gets on it. I end up having to edit out a lot less fuzzballs that make their way into the picture.

Here is a bouquet I took of picture of this weekend with the new background.

What are your thoughts on my background? Do you think it helps me stand out at all?

Brandi Thompson Photography Giveaway

I have a very special giveaway this week! I will be jealous of the winner! The only catch with this giveaway is that you must live in the Dallas area (25 miles within Plano, TX to be exact). Or willing to travel to Plano if you live a bit out of that range. I can tell you right now, it would be well worth it. Anyway, scroll down and read the great interview with Brandi and check out some of her work.

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Please Introduce yourself:

My name is Brandi Thompson, and I live with my husband Brian, and our four “kids” (three cats and a dog) in Plano, TX. I am a full time photographer, and a general lover of the arts!

Can you tell me a little bit about your business? When did you start? How you got started, etc.

I focus on wedding and lifestyle photography with a fun, organic ‘rockstar’ approach. I am a big believer in capturing moments as they happen, and customizing photos to each client, instead of fitting my clients into a specified mold.

I have loved photography for a long time. My father actually did photography in high school, and I just grew up with an appreciation for it. For years I would take pictures of my friends just for fun, and because I enjoyed making people feel good about themselves. I was previously in school, and ran into the situation that I needed a flexible income so that I could work and still go to school. I started my business in January of 2008, and it’s been growing steadily since then. As of May 2009, I am no longer attending school – having made the decision to focus solely on my business.

How would you describe your creative process? Ever get in a creative rut? How to you get past that rut?

I really let my clients’ personality dictate where I go with their session. I have a slew of places to shoot at, and I try to mix it up as often as possible. I discuss exactly the kind of feel my clients are going for, and then we just kind of go and have a lot of fun. I don’t approach anything with calculation. When I start to feel a little dry on the creativity side, I will often play around with still life objects or landscape photos. It’s generally easier to try new perspectives on an object instead of a person.

What is a typical day like for you?

Honestly, I don’t have a really set schedule. I try and make a list of things I need to get done on the specific day, and then tackle the list. Some days it’s hours of sitting in front of my computer editing photos, burning CDs, packaging prints, answering emails – things like that. I take breaks by taking the dog out to play or taking him for a walk. I also take computer breaks by working on various household chores. All in all, it’s not terribly exciting but, at least I get to wear pajamas.

Where can you be found online? 

Lots of places!

Website – http://http://www.brandithompsonphotography.com/

Blog – http://www.rockstarphotographyblog.com/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/rockstarphotography

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/awesomebrandi

Did you always know you wanted to be a photographer?

 No, not really. I have always known that I am an artist, and that whatever I did with my life – it would be based in art. I’ve been creating things in some fashion since I was a small child, and I will be that way until the day I die. I have had an active interest in photography since I was young, and I can definitely see myself doing this for the long term.

Are there any fun tidbits about you, your business or life in general you would like to share?

I am a very passionate person. I love what I do, and I am thankful everyday that I get to have one of the greatest jobs on the planet. I have wanted to run my own business since I was old enough to grasp the concept, and it’s amazing to realize a lifelong dream. Outside of photography and the arts, I also love music (hence my rockstar vibe!), dancing, animals, fashion – especially shoes, books and lots of geeky things. I am a long time vegetarian and I have a slew of stuffed animals on my desk that I refer to as my ‘employees’. I am unabashedly dorky, but it’s just part of being honest.

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Up for grabs? 

I would like to offer the readers a free lifestyle photo session of their choice. It can be a couples session, senior, bridal/trash the dress, family, children…whatever they’d like.

We will discuss their vision and find the perfect location. Most sessions last between one and two hours.

Within a few weeks of the session, proofs will be available in a private gallery with a 10% off on anything purchased in the first ten days.

I live in Plano, so the winner will need to be in a 25 mile radius of Plano, or willing to come this way if they live a little further out. 

To Enter: Make sure to look at Brandi's website and blog, she posts some great sessions on there! Come back and tell me how you would use your photo session if you won! Also, leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Earn Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each extra entry)
1. Follow my blog. Or let me know if you are already a follower
2. Follow Brandi's Twitter
3. Blog about this giveaway (Leave the link)
4. Post a message on Twitter about the giveaway (Make sure to include @rbkcreations in your tweet)

The winner will be picked on November 24th, 12pm CST. The winner will be notified by email. It will also be posted on this blog. Please make sure your email address is accurate. If no email address is provided I will draw another name. The winner will have 48 hours to provide us with their contact information and location.

Katemajoie Giveaway Winner

Thank you all so much for entering the latest giveaway! You all said such nice things and I hope you had a chance to see all the great products from Katrina's shop!

*Drum roll Please*

The winner is, number 24, Abigail!

(The giveaway ended with 100 entries. There were a few late entries that did not get included in the drawing)

There isn't a giveaway this week as it is Halloween, I am going to 2 concerts, custom orders in the process and lots of other planning!

Next week however, I have a special surprise for everyone who lives in the North Dallas Area. It will be a very special treat. So if you live in the area or know anyone who does make sure to take a look on Thursday for the new post!

Giveaway from Katemajoie - Letterpress notecards or sign

Hi all. I am back to the giveaways on the blog now. I have officially started my job and enjoy it. Things are starting to get back to normal again. So much was all happening at the same time that the blog and the giveaways had to be put on hold. This week's giveaway is from the sweetest person ever! Check out a little more about Katrina and her shop katemajoie

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Introduce yourself:
I'm Katrina, designer/printer behind Ma Joie Press. Last year was a big one for me. I graduated college with a degree in Art, I married my high school sweetheart, Tyler, and I started MJP. It's been a crazy blur, but I'm having a great time.

Tell us a little bit about your shop:
I print for special occasions, so, the majority of my shop is wedding and baby designs. It's so wonderful to hear from people who are expecting a baby or preparing for their wedding. It's the happiest part of my job.

How did you get started on Etsy?
It was love at first sight for me and Etsy! I happened across the site while searching for a specific and unusual Christmas present a couple of years ago, and it literally changed my life. I set goals to start my business with hopes of having a shop someday. After I became what I considered 'skilled enough' in my craft to sell, I jumped in head first. It was the perfect next step - inexpensive to start up, and chock full of like-minded personalities. I can't even count the opportunities (big and small) that have come my way through Etsy.

Where on the internet can you be found?
You can find Ma Joie Press and me on the main website, the MJP blog, the Etsy shop and of course on Twitter

Favorite product in your shop?
It's hard to pick a favorite product because I put so much time into designing them all, picking colors and printing them. But, if I have to pick, I'd probably say the "Not all those who wander are lost" print. It is just a happy reminder that, though I'm not on the same path as everyone else, I'm on the right path for me.

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Up for Grabs:
10 pack of folded letterpress spider mum cards & envelopes or a "those who wanter" letterpress print. I have both on hand so it is the winner's choice!

Value: $20.00

How to Enter: Take a look around Katrina's Etsy shop, come back and let us know your favorite design/item. Also, leave your email address in the message so I can contact you, if you win!

Earn Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each extra entry)
1. Follow my blog. Or let me know if you are already a follower
2. Follow Katrina's Twitter
3. Blog about this giveaway (Leave the link)
4. Post a message on Twitter about the giveaway (Can only be done once a day. Enter a new comment for each day that you tweet about this great giveaway)

The winner will be picked on October 29th, 12pm CST. The winner will be notified by email. It will also be posted on this blog. Please make sure your email address is accurate. If no email address is provided I will draw another name. The winner will have 48 hours to provide us with their choice of item and shipping information or another name will be picked.

Cupcakes - A personal mission!

A year ago I found a cupcake recipe in a magazine that I just had to make. They had caramel in them, that is all I remember. They ended up being horrible. They were dense and tasted like flour. It just wasn't good at all. Even though the end result was bad I still had fun making them.

Sine that batch of dry, gross cupcakes it has been my personal mission (slight obsession) to make good cupcakes. I recently purchased a cupcake cookbook so I can play around with some different types and ingredients.

The first recipe was a Chocolate Chip Cupcake. They still weren't good. They were almost grainy. I wasn't too happy with that outcome. I felt very intimidated by the complexity of making good homemade cupcakes. I meant to take pictures of this batch but definitely forgot.

The second attempt (and the second in the book, I plan on going in order) was Carrot Cupcakes. I had to grate a pound of carrots which was a pain but they turned out soooooo good. I have a new motivation for making cupcakes. The 3rd batch (Yellow Buttermilk) are cooling right now waiting for frosting. Pictures of that batch will be up soon.

In the meantime, however, I will share some pictures of my Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting and a carrot on top, of course.

I got these super cute tulip cupcake liners on Etsy.

They were bakery quality (in my opinion). Very moist and perfect. They seemed to just disappear. A lot were consumed at the North Dallas Etsy Meeting. I will have to make them again, very soon!

I am back to having fun making them, ha, so I am sure I will be posting my successes and failures as I make them! Enjoy! (want the recipe, let me know and I can get it to you)

Remington Kissme Moore Bracelet Giveaway Winner!

Thank you all for entering this giveaway! I was very happy with the response and so glad I could get some exposure to my mom's little shop!

The winner is number 124...Laura!

I will be contacting you shortly to get your shipping information.

I will be taking the next week off from giveaways in order to finish preparing for the bridal show this weekend and hopefully starting a new job on Monday. But make sure to check back next week for some more goodies!