Sewing has been a part of me for as long as I can remember — a steady thread woven through every season of my life. Before I became a special education teacher, I had already started two sewing businesses, never imagining that one day I’d return to this craft with such deep purpose and passion.

In the final years of my teaching career, I often wondered what would come next. I wasn’t ready to sit still — my hands longed to create, and my heart longed to serve in a new way.

That answer came unexpectedly, after the loss of a coworker’s grandmother. I created a keepsake pillow for her — stitched with love, made from clothing, and featuring a photo of three generations of women. When I gave it to her, she cried. Not just tears of sadness, but tears of comfort, love, and memory. That moment changed everything for me.

I realized then that sewing could become something more than a hobby. It could be a way to help others hold onto the people and moments that matter most — to preserve stories, legacies, and love in a tangible, meaningful way.

So in the middle of the chaos and uncertainty of COVID — during my final year of teaching — I opened an Etsy shop. I didn’t have much funding, but I had bins full of fabric scraps, a sewing machine, and a heart full of hope. I stitched together gifts, memories, and dreams. And slowly, piece by piece, ScrapsNRemnants began to grow.

Starting a business at 59, especially in the e-commerce world, has come with its share of challenges. Technology, marketing, social media — whew! It’s been a wild ride. But even on the hard days, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Because I’ve seen firsthand how a simple piece of fabric, sewn with love, can bring peace, comfort, and joy.

In 2022, I took a leap of faith and launched ScrapsNRemnants full-time. Today, I feel so honored to create custom keepsakes that help families celebrate love, honor legacies, and cherish the moments that matter most.

Thank you for being here. I can't wait to help you preserve your most precious memories — one stitch at a time.