Carolyn at Sew Happy Stitch Happy – Friday Favorites

Last week for Friday Favorites we revisited Becca.

This week we’re talking to Carolyn at Sew Happy Stitch Happy!

I recently purchased one of Carolyn’s book sleeves and I am so impressed by the quality of it! If you haven’t checked out her shop, I highly recommend doing so!

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Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Carolyn and I’m happily married to a wonderful man. We have a son and daughter, who are equal parts cute, kind, and energetic. Our two dogs, Mischief and Trouble, complete our family. I love to read, play video games, and be out in nature. Sewing is one of my favorite hobbies, along with cooking, and baking.

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When did you start Sew Happy Stitch Happy, and what made you decide on sewing book sleeves?

I opened my Etsy shop in mid-2016, and casually sold items that I enjoyed creating at that time: baby blankets, fabric banners, plush alphabet sets. In early 2018, I had sewn some book sleeves as birthday presents for my mom and a friend, and they both loved them so much they encouraged me to sell them in my shop. I made a couple and they sold within minutes.  Now, a year later, I have sold over 1,100 sleeves. I’m so thankful I get to create such a useful but fun item for fellow book lovers! 

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Out of the current patterns you have available on your Etsy site, which is your favorite?

This is a tough question! I love anything with animals or science related, so I have to say The Midnight Zone, Bare Bones Anatomy, and Nurturing Doe.

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What types of books are you drawn to?

I’m drawn to fantasy and mystery. I love to read nonfiction books about scientific topics and anything medical based. Recently, I’ve begun diving into horror and thrillers, which I am really enjoying but I still get scared! Haha

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If you could spend a night hanging out with three authors, living or dead, who would you choose? 

Michael Crichton during 16th Annual Producers Guild Awards – Press Room at Culver Studios in Culver City, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)

British writer of crime and detective fiction, Dame Agatha Christie (1891 – 1976). (Photo by Walter Bird/Getty Images)

I would love to meet Agatha Christie, Michael Crichton, and Erik Larson. They are all different but incredibly brilliant and creative.

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Which classic or popular book do you hate? 

I tried to read The Magicians by Lev Grossman but did not finish it. I’m a character-driven reader, and unfortunately, I hated all of the characters. Also, I am not a big fan of the Caraval series. To be fair, I’m tired of the YA genre, so I think some of my dislike isn’t personal. I own the books and will try rereading them in the future.

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How do you keep track of the books you’ve finished and books you want to read?

I’m a big fan of rereading, so I keep every book I enjoyed. I have a navy blue rolling cart that I put my TBR’s on. When it starts to overflow, I impose a book buying ban on myself. Or at least I try!

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What are your five favorite books, and why?

Oh, another really tough question! In no particular order:

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Sorcerer’s Stone came out when I was 11, same age as Harry. I grew up with him, and these books made a huge, positive impact on me in those influential years.

Murder on The Orient Express by Agatha Christie

I adore all of her Poirot books, but this was the first one I picked up so it holds a special place in my heart.

The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson

A nonfiction written in novel format about The World’s Fair in Chicago and the serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes. The book is beautiful and chilling!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I have never been mesmerized by a world quite like Morgenstern’s. Her descriptions are utterly captivating and I am a “rêveur” for life.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

In first grade, I fell in love with dinosaurs and never stopped. I own a lot of Crichton’s books, and I never get tired of his scientific storytelling.

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Finally, leave us with your favorite bookish quote.

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