Want to search designs and don't know where to start?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is:

"What designs do you have?" or "Where can I see all of your designs?"

Well, the answer is not just "click here" because I don't have every design on my computer nor do I make all of them.  You'll have to do a bit of searching but it's SO easy!  I'm going to tell you exactly how I find all my designs and you can start there!

Always remember, you can send me a THEME and I can come up with something to go with it.  You're not required to choose a design, that's just the way some prefer to do it :)

A couple step-by-step instructions when wanting to view designs: 

1. Go to any of the following websites; these are all my favorite websites I search most frequently and get the best quality designs from: 

http://www.theitch2stitch.com/

http://www.planetapplique.com/

http://embroidery-boutique.com/index.php

http://www.appliquecafe.com/index.htm

http://www.appliquemarket.com/

http://www.appliquemomma.com/

http://www.appliquealley.com/

2. Find their search bar and type in a keyword or follow their menu buttons.  If you're wanting a Christmas design, type "Christmas," etc.

3. If you find a design or two you like, copy the links and send to me in an email or copy on to your order form.

4. I will then be able to give some insight on which design will work best to help you decide (if you've chosen more than one), or I will be able to give you a proper quote off the design you choose.

5. The order process is almost finalized at this point and we may email a bit more to iron out a few details, but that's about it!

If you ever have any questions, just email me.  That's what I'm here for.  100 emails is better than 0 emails as long as you get the item you want and it's perfect for your occasion.

What is an Applique?

And what's the different between an applique and embroidery?  I am asked this question all the time, so I thought I'd try to work up a picture to help answer these questions....never hesitate to ask me questions and make your item as perfect and custom as you like!

Applique Fonts

Below are samples of my applique fonts.  If you'd like to see a specific letter, number, or punctuation just email me and I'll send you a .jpg.

The "leaves" of the flower will not be stitched on this alphabet

Only available in ONE or TWO - LETTER appliques

Only available in ONE or TWO - LETTER/NUMBER appliques

Only available in ONE or TWO - LETTER appliques

Only available in ONE or TWO - LETTER appliques

Fonts - Embroidery

These are the fonts that stitch the best.  Sometimes we will run into a situation where a font will not stitch well because of the fabric it is going on, etc.  There are a few more I still need to add, but these are great choices and look good on all fabrics...

**Always feel free to email me with a request to see your order in any font**

Designs - There are THOUSANDS!

I have hundreds of designs and I don't have the time to make samples of all of them.  PLUS, there are thousands out there, if not millions, and I can get it if I don't have it already!  Feel free to visit sites and refer me to them by copying and pasting links into your inquiry emails.  If you're interested in one of the design categories I have, just email and ask me to send you a page of design examples.  As I make more items, I will always post pictures and build my online "library" but I have no idea where I would even start posting the design examples on the site because there are so many!!

Some of my favorite design sites:

*Thanks to Kim Wittry for introducing me to all of these wonderful sites!!!
www.bunnycup.com
www.dbembroiderydesigns.com
www.planetapplique.com
http://embroidery-boutique.com/index.php
www.appliquecafe.com
http://lynniepinnie.com/shop/index.php
www.ginabugs.com
www.designsbyjuju.com
http://www.divasdoodles.com/shop/
http://www.appliquemarket.com/


Again, here are SOME "categories" to consider when thinking about your design:

4th of July
Aggies, Longhorns (I can more than likely get your school)
Animals
Baby
Birthday
Boy STUFF, like "Big Bro, Lil Bro" and many other types of boy designs, like robots, trucks, tractors
Bugs
Characters, like Superman, Batman, Pooh, Tiger, Strawberry Shortcake, Dora, etc
Christmas
Crosses
Easter
Fish/Ocean/Water
Flowers
Food
Girl STUFF, like "Big Sis, Lil Sis" and many other types of girlie things, like cupcakes and bows, etc
GREEK
Halloween
Paisley
Rock On!
Sports
St. Patty's Day
Summer
Thanksgiving/Fall
Valentine's Day
Western

Navigating My Blog

I can't tell you how many people have told me how confusing it is to navigate a blog...not just mine, but all of them.  I never really understood them myself until I created my own blog and figured it out from the inside-out. 

Here's Blog Navigation 101:
Basically, every "post" I make, I add a quick link, or a label, that connects that post to all the links or buttons down the left side of my page.  Note that EVERY post I make gets put on the HOME page in order by the most recent post, no matter what.  But let's say I posted Applique Fonts last Wednesday...if you click the "Fonts" button down the left side of the page, it will take you to all the posts that I've labeled "Fonts" and that will lead you to Applique Fonts.  I also can label the same post multiple things...not only can I label it "Fonts" but I could get super specific and label it "Applique Fonts" and you could then click on the quick link directly to Applique Fonts.

Another important note:  Once you click a button or quick link, only the latest 3-5 posts are visible on that page.  After scrolling to the bottom of the page, be sure you click "Older Posts" to see the rest of the posts (if any) that share the same label.  Sometimes there may not be more, but a lot of times there are multiple posts under the same button or quick link.  For example, "Boys" and "Girls" will eventually have multiple posts that you'll have to click through because I will have MANY Boys and Girls posts :)

I hope this helps.  If it doesn't, leave me a comment here and tell me what you're not understanding.  I want it to be SO EASY to navigate my site, so any advice is welcome.  Happy creating!!!

LKC Designs

Lacey Kaye Creations is ready!  If you're wondering what design to order, I can help!  Below is a list of categories and I have many designs in each.  Get your thoughts going!

4th of July
Aggies, Longhorns (I can more than likely get your school)
Animals
Baby
Birthday
Boy STUFF, like "Big Bro, Lil Bro" and many other types of boy designs, like robots, trucks, tractors
Bugs
Characters, like Superman, Batman, Pooh, Tiger, Strawberry Shortcake, Dora, etc
Christmas
Crosses
Easter
Fish/Ocean/Water
Flowers
Food
Girl STUFF, like "Big Sis, Lil Sis" and many other types of girlie things, like cupcakes and bows, etc
GREEK
Halloween
Paisley
Rock On!
Sports
St. Patty's Day
Summer
Thanksgiving/Fall
Valentine's Day
Western

All the Rest

If you have a special request or a specific item you want to send me to embroider/monogram, please email me.

Cups, towels, blankets, burp cloths, bibs, totes, and more...all available!

Pricing

99% of what I do is CUSTOM.  Therefore it is best to ask me for a quote for exactly what you want.  To see some pricing estimates, you can view numerous items for sale in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/laceykayecreations.

Embroidery and Applique is a skill and craft very commonly undervalued among small business owners like myself.  After a LOT of coaching and encouragement from fellow businessmen and women, I have come up with a pricing system that gives me credit for my designs, supplies and hard work, and also helps me make a small profit at the same time.  I can't tell you how many people gawk at pricing on hand-made items.  At the end of the day, all I can say is that I have put a tremendous amount of time, effort, and energy into the process I use to price my items and into making those items, and it is more than fair.  I look at Etsy shops similar to mine and while some may be cheaper, I can promise you those individuals are devaluing their work.  On top of that, I guarantee I am a top-notch perfectionist (very OCD!) and you are getting an item that is of the highest quality using the highest quality products.  I pay income tax just like the rest of America and I'm trying to run a successful business while doing what I love.

I hate to sound like a snotty pants, but there's too many emails and comments about pricing for me not to make this post.  For those customers needing an explanation, I'm happy to provide.  For the average appliqued t-shirt, here's a breakdown of my time to put your mind at ease:

1. EMAIL and correspondence: 15 mins on average per order...from when I receive an order via email and respond discussing details.  Most of the time we will exchange emails at least 10 times throughout your order process, if not more.
2. SHOPPING:  Let's say 30 mins on average for this one, but it's way longer than that!  Yes, I stock a lot of shirts (and I LOVE it when I get to use one!), but a lot of orders have special requests.  I either shop online for your t-shirts, or make a run to a local store to see if we can get a shirt in a speedy time in order to get it to you even sooner!  Everyone makes a request in order for their item to be unique...I do my best to meet all of those requests, that's what a small business like mine should do and I take pride in it.
3. DESIGN:  20 mins on average per order...I use a Brother software that communicates with my Brother embroidery machine.  This means choosing the design files and merging them together to make your final, one-of-a-kind design.  I then send this design proof to you via email for your approval.  I have to make sure names are spelled correctly.
4. SET-UP: 10 mins on average per item...I adhere a paper stabilizer to the hoop that connects to my machine and then attach a t-shirt (or other item) to that hoop making sure it is centered and set to stitch in the correct place.  This also means, the more items you have, the more set-up time there is.  It's hard to discount a "batch" order.  Each item requires the same amount of time to set-up and sew.
5. STITCHING: 45 mins on average per order...yes, in order to outline the item, cut and apply the fabric to an applique, cut away excess fabric, stitch the rest of the outlines and then clear the excess stabilizer from the back of the shirt, this process is the longest.  On shirts with more detail and more stitching, this process can take up to 2 hours or longer.
6. SHIPPING: 10 mins on average per order.  You'd think this was the easy part, but it's the small things that add up.  I find your printed order and locate your mailing address, usually via your payment confirmation email.  I try to copy and paste addresses to ensure I don't make a mistake in the shipping address.  This guarantees your item gets to you the FIRST time I try to send it!  After entering and confirming your details, printing the label, filling your envelope/box, and taping the box, it's been at least 10-15 mins.

This is a little over 2 hours for one shirt...and a lot of the time it's more than that!  After shipping costs and tax, my average order is around $30-35.  Not bad for a boutique-quality item personalized and mailed to your door step!

So, for those of you who were wondering,"WHAT'S the big deal with this embroidery stuff and why does it cost so much?"  There ya go!  If you have any questions or care for me to elaborate even more, I'm HAPPY TO!  Just shoot me an email!  laceykayecreations@gmail.com

*MINIMUM ORDER: $10 PLUS SHIPPING*

*Pricing is ALWAYS subject to change!  And all orders within Texas will be charged TAX!

Contact Information

You can email questions, suggestions, pictures, inform me of typos...anything:

laceykayecreations@gmail.com