Current Obsession: Hand Embroidery

I always appreciate the talents of others, but I tend to appreciate the talents even more if I don't possess them.

I have a friend who knits super cute booties for cold Finnish winters that have amazing scallop details around the ankles. Another friend is a whiz at event planning and always thinks about unique décor and details to match a theme. (Check out her blog here: The Life of a Modern Day Wife.) I can't do anything with yarn, and I haven't hosted a party in years, so I'm spellbound when I see my friends' talents at work.

It's the same with my current obsession: hand embroidery. The way crafters fashion yarn, ribbon and thread into beautiful works of art is so intriguing to me.

A few of my Christmas presents were items that featured beautiful hand embroidery, so I thought I'd share them with you. What talents of others do you most appreciate? Tell me in the comments!

This one-of-a-kind vintage purse was my favorite gift from my fiancé. It came from The White Pepper, an Etsy shop that features cute mid-century items.

I love the idea of embroidery as jewelry. I put these rings on my wish list, and my future mother-in-law got them for me!

The gray ring is from Maria Cecilia of Mum's Touch, an Etsy shop that specializes in adorable fabric creations. The French knot is my favorite embroidery stitch.

The yellow rose ring is from ConeBomBom, an Esty shop that specializes in embroidered jewelry. My future mother-in-law loved this ring so much, she had the shop owner, Jess Deg, make one for her, too!

This unique ring isn't technically embroidered. It's a yellow button covered by a piece of embroidered lace. Libby Chick, owner of Etsy shop BlondeChick, made a few of these rings but because of the placement of the lace overlay, no two were alike.

 I'll definitely be working all of my new hand embroidered pieces into my 2014 wardrobe!