For me, one of life's simple pleasures is catering to the wildlife that frequent our yard. We live in a small, rural town where woodland surrounds our property. It isn't unusual to see wild turkeys, deer and even bears traversing across the lawn. Filling the bird feeders has long been a part of our family routine and a special time I enjoy with my kids. Not too long ago, we were picking, what seemed like bushels, of pine cones out of the yard and we were inspired to create some feeders of our own. These are easy and cheap to make...and a great craft project for kids!

Born February 3, 1894, Norman Rockwell was a skinny, quirky looking kid with glasses and corrective shoes...Probably the last to be picked when divvying up teams for the neighborhood kickball game. But Rockwell had an aptitude for art and knew at an early age that he wanted to be an artist. At fourteen, he enrolled in the New York School of Art, formally the Chase Art School. From there, he remained in New York and went to The National Academy of Design and finally to the Art Students League. At 19, he landed a job as art director of Boys Life, The Boy Scouts of America's official publication.... and so began Norman Rockwell's life long career as an illustrator.

Prior to the late 1800's art in New England was primarily folk art. Many New England antiques and heirlooms were born of necessity rather than creative inspiration. Most crafter's were untrained and self taught. Often they did not have the proper tools to work with and were forced to make tools of their own using whatever was at hand. As a result, patchwork quilts, primitive paintings, scrimshaw utensils, Shaker furniture, as well as silver and pewter dinnerware are highly valued by New England collector's today.