OK, I’m not saying that the BEST part of the holidays is the presents, but they sure can be fun, can’t they?  And I think we all know that sewing presents are the best, which is why Vicki Kate‘s Sew Very Merry Christmas Swap was a brilliant idea!  Wanna see what I got?

My swap partner, the lovely and talented Sew Busy Lizzy, sent me an amazing package:

Look how cute!

I could barely stand to open it– the parcel was beautifully hand-stitched closed, so I felt like I was ruining a work of art by opening it!  But somehow I found a way to tear into it, and look what I found!

Don’t be jealous, now!  There’s a length of red jersey (perfect for the Maria Denmark Day-To-Night Drape Top that Lizzy ALSO sent me) from a local Australian label, a length of Lizzy’s amazing bird print rayon (see what she made with it here!), some stretch sateen/twill in a cool graphic print, and the Sewaholic Alma Blouse pattern.  I don’t even know where to start sewing!  Thank you SO much, Lizzy! 🙂

Did you get any sewing-related gifts this year?  My mother-in-law gave me a copy of Famous Frocks, which has been lots of fun to flip through.  I’m looking forward to digging into it!  I cheated a little and got myself a little post-Christmas gift today– Vogue Sewing, Revised and Updated.  I LOVE it and can’t wait to read it cover to cover (in, oh, 47 sittings, that is).

Wanna take a closer look at those birds?  I thought you might…