So much has changed since I started this blog back in 2012. That was the early days of indie pattern designers such as Colette (now Seamwork), Closet Case (now Closet Core), and Grainline Studio. It was the heyday of blogs—sewing blogs for me—and discovering them felt so special. I’m so thankful for the sewing community I got to become a part of; the real friendships that formed out of it and all of the opportunities to attend sewing retreats with Camp Workroom Social or at Maker’s Hideaway. But online, it’s a different landscape now. If you aren’t monetizing somehow, it all seems like a lot of work (and expense) to…

Looking back, I’ve gotten spotty with these “Year in Review” posts. I’m not sure where 2021 even went. That last few years have been a bit nuts, right? If only I had written a post last year and could jog my memory… That said, 2022 must be reviewed. A lot happened last year and I want to get it all down while it is somewhat fresh in mind! Let’s start with the biggest, most consuming thing in 2022, our remodel. Remodel After 15 years of living in this house and doing a lot of work to the outside of the house (new fence, greenhouse, countless raised beds), we finally started…

It’s taken me a couple of weeks to figure out what I want to say about 2020. Previous year in review posts pale in comparison to this one and I’ve had some crazy years! The year started normal enough, but no one (except maybe Bill Gates) expected what would soon come. Unlike previous years, I don’t need to tell you what happened. We were all there and it’s still is happening. Fortunately, both Matt and I have stayed employed since the start of the pandemic. We had brief periods at the beginning where our hours were either reduced or non-existent, but as safety measures and plans for moving forward were…

Like most years, 2019 had its highs and lows, but overall it was a productive year for me. I had some personal stress and drama—my mantra for a couple of months was “the only way out is through”—but I just did the best I could and tried to learn from it. I also course corrected where possible and ended the year in an pretty good place. There’s a lot going on in the world right now to be upset and worried about, but my personal life at least is back to normal for the most part, so I’m feeling in decent shape for 2020. Looking back at old posts, I’m…

In 7 years of this blog, I have only missed one “Year in Review” and that was last year. I also didn’t write a goals post, so we don’t have to talk about how far I got with my goals. There were a lot of things going on at the beginning of 2018, as life tends to do: lingering job burnout (from a job I had just quit), health problems (exacerbated and ignored because of that job), the loss of a friend to suicide and the subsequent feelings of instability and depression that occurs related to all of the above.  I just DID NOT HAVE IT IN ME to do…

Happy New Year! Wait, what? It’s February, I know, but due to too many New Year’s resolutions (Whole30, a fitness challenge and getting back into ukulele lessons), this is the first chance I’ve had to do a “Year in Review” post. I have written a Year in Review post every year since I started blogging as Rake and Make, so I can’t break with tradition, can I? Honestly, I am heading into my fifth year of this blog and I’ve thought about shutting it down, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I have said it before, but I’ll say it again, I love having my blog as a record of all my projects in the…

Even though this blog can feel like a chore at times (I admit it), I’m always glad I took the time to document the important stuff. I’m especially thankful at the end of a year and the beginning of a new one, because it feels good to look back at previous year’s goals and review. In 2015, I didn’t totally stick to the list, which is fine, goals can morph and change, but I still feel like I accomplished a lot. Here’s how I did in 2015. GARDENING 2015 Gardening Goals- Grow my usual crops and preserve some of it– Check. 5 1/2 pints of tomato basil jam (canned) 6 1/2 pints of jalapeño…