From my earliest memories, I can vividly see my mom sitting at her sewing machine, steadily creating what felt like pure magic with fabric. From beautifully crafted dance costumes to elegant ladies' dresses, I grew up surrounded by a world of shimmering sequins and vibrant threads. By the time I stepped into my own life as a young married woman, my mom had taken a bold step and opened her very own fabric store in our charming rural river town in south Louisiana. With a delightful plethora of fabrics and patterns surrounding me, my own sewing journey began to unfold. I adventured into various projects, from clothing and curtains to whimsical quilts and cuddly stuffed bears, exploring all things sewing with unbridled enthusiasm. Over the next two decades, I embarked on a fulfilling path of teaching various crafting workshops, scrapbooking, and sewing for both adults and youth, which allowed me to share my passion with others. I evolved into a speaker and workshop presenter, inspiring those around me. However, as much as I enjoyed this creative outlet, somewhere along the way, amidst the pressures of life's demands, I lost the precious spark of creativity, and slowly but surely, I let it all slip away.

In 2017, I began a transformative journey of recovery and self-discovery. It was the moment I decided it was high time to take better care of my whole self! I soon realized just how intricately mental health is connected to physical health, and I knew there were countless other women who had lost themselves along life's winding journey, much like I had. Taking a bold leap, I put myself through college at the age of 50, becoming a board-certified Holistic Health Practitioner. In this new role, I have had the joy of helping hundreds of women illuminate their stress, lose weight, and prioritize their well-being by embracing meaningful lifestyle changes—everything from practicing daily gratitude to regularly exploring their untapped creativity.

In 2023, I made the exciting move to Alaska, eagerly looking forward to exploring the breathtaking last frontier, the beautiful place my daughter and her little family now call home. I took a part-time job at a local quilt store, enveloped once again by a whirlwind of creative ideas that I could hardly contain! By the fall of 2024, I decided to weave together my two great loves—health and quilting—and thus, Fireweed Designs was born! Currently, I am diligently working to become certified in a specific trademarked quilting technique that I truly believe embodies the essence of creativity. I cannot wait to take my growing trunk show, along with my own unique designs, on the road in 2025! I am filled with excitement and anticipation and can’t wait to meet you!

Rexann Roussel, CHHP