Midwest Yarn Iowa City- Guest Blog

Joanne writes from Iowa today….

“Just like my friend Ruth, I search out yarn shops when I travel, hoping to find local yarn.

I’m visiting my daughter in Iowa this week and made a quick visit to the Home Ec. Workshop.

Located in a lovely old red Victorian-style home, the shop offers supplies and inspiration for quilting, crafting, sewing, and a full selection of mostly natural-fiber yarns for knitting and crochet.

It was fun to visit and chat with the owner Codi Josephson, who shared that the shop was recently featured in Better Homes & Gardens Quilt Sampler magazine (Spring/Summer 2022 issue). I came away with a few treasures …. a fabric project bag and some fabric to make a few more. And I found a locally dyed yarn called Ewe & Lea. I loved all the colors, so ended up with five skeins …. wonder what projects I’ll be knitting up!” —Joanne

P.S. You can shop online, if you aren’t headed to Iowa City anytime soon. I bought some sock yarn (on sale) for a friend. -Ruth

The fabric- teacups, teabags and colorful buttons
The yarn by Ewe & Lea
Jen Hewett Project Bag holding the Punkin Head hat Joanne is knitting for her grandson
(click for Tara Thomsen’s free pattern)
This emblem was on their website!

Supporting Small Business

In a January post I asked how old is your spice?

The gift of a new jar of Bagel-on-Grant Seasoning gave me the idea for the post and this chain of events happened (thank you Amy of McWalker Yarns, a neighbor of Steel City Salt Company in Millvale PA)

I photographed the new jar of seasoning because it was so clean and fresh looking compared to the other spices on my spice rack. Made me think how old are some of these jars of spice?

Included the link of Steel City Salt Company in the post and a blog follower saw the post and the link. Then they mail ordered these products in the photo below. I received the photo yesterday and was glad to know small business was supported from someone having read the blog

The blog follower even wrote an email to Steel Salt Salt Company telling how reading the blog promoted this order. And they are very satisfied !

Thanks for sending me the photo of your order from Steel City Salt Company
Here’s the top of my jar of Bagel-on-Grant Seasoning

Pittsburgh Street Pizza

Meet Gavin, Pittsburgh Street Pizza Owner and Chef

The car interior smelled so good I had to eat a slice before I got home.
Fresh ingredients and the crust is superb.

Supporting local small businesses.

This afternoon Pittsburgh Street Pizza was set up in front of McWalker Yarns on Grant Avenue, Millvale PA. (If you’re not local you can still order yarn online but not the pizza 🥲)

Contact Pghstreetpizza to book for your next Pittsburgh event
Thanks Gavin for allowing me to photograph and include you in my People at Work series.
Wishing you every success in your new business.

And I didn’t even know what a ROCCBOX Oven was until this afternoon.

“The restaurant-grade portable pizza oven. Dual fuel, fire up with the convenience of gas or discover the flavor of wood for the ultimate pizza experience”

Lauren Opens Moondust Salon

Meet Lauren in her brand new Moondust Salon which is housed in Sola Salon Studios on Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh. There’s parking behind the building, you enter from Atlantic Avenue.

Today was opening day. I dodged a few Spring raindrops to document her new endeavor.

Lauren says

“I’ve been in the industry for 4 years. My passions are hair coloring and lightening. I always love challenges. The space is inspired by the movie Practical Magic and Stevie Nicks . I wanted to make a space where people felt comfortable, included, and heard. That’s why I do client applications where I can know hair goals, allergies, social anxiety needs, music/movie preference, and sensory needs.”

“I’m also cruelty free, non-gendered prices, and attempting to be eco friendly like offering a recycling program through my product Amika, to keep plastic waste out of the oceans and landfills.”

Phone number: Call or text 412.436.3446.

Email: moondustsalon@gmail.com

Website (up by April 18th) moondustsalon.com

Follow on Instagram #moondustsalon

A bouquet from a dear friend

Wishing you all the best, Lauren.