Charlotte Pruyn Hyde

Photo source: Hyde Art Museum, collections department

Charlotte Pruyn Hyde
1867-1963

Charlotte Pruyn Hyde is the daughter of Samuel Pruyn, co-founder of Finch Pruyn Paper, Inc. in Glens Falls, New York. This is the paper mill where my father was employed at the time of my birth. Charlotte Married Louis Fiske Hyde in 1901 after a 14 year courtship, and they settled in Glens Falls in 1907. Charlotte and her two sisters, Mary and Nell, built adjoining homes not far from their father's paper mill. The homes and the surrounding seven acres now make up the Hyde Collection, a museum complex with a world-renowned collection of art that is availale for
public enjoyment. In the photo slide show titled "The Hyde" you will see some of the photos that I took while I was visiting the museum recently with my two youngest children. As a seamstress and quilter, I was fascinated by the thimble collection. I also photographed the sculpture near the entrance to the museum, a lovely piece depicting a family dancing together.

Another addition to the Glens Falls area, thanks to generous financial donations by the Hydes, is the Crandall Public Library (www.crandalllibrary.org).

This is a place I remember visiting with my mother when I was very young and she was a student at Adirondack Community College. I now take my children to Crandall Library. They have wonderful programs and are very helpful to the many homeschoolers in the area.

I am grateful to people like Charlotte Pryne Hyde and her husband who cared for their community and for the coming generations in such a generous way.

See http://www.hydecollection.org/interact/

for a video documentary on the family. It includes photos of the paper mill and many of the collected works.

Special Delivery!

This is how to prepare a package to send to your favorite nieces...

First, fill a box of your choice with something fun. Mine contains fancy dresses! Make sure that you put everything in that you want to send...once we're done decorating the box, there's no going back!

Tape the box tightly closed. Cover the top with mod podge.


















Place a whole sheet of tissue paper on top of the box, centering the paper so that it drapes evenly over the sides and ends of the box.



























Turn the whole thing over so that you may work with the uncovered bottom. Cut the paper so that you may draw it up over the ends of the box. Spread mod podge on the box where you will be placing the tissue paper. Press the paper in place and dab on mod podge as needed to hole the tissue in place. Do not be afraid to get the mod podge on the outside of the paper as it will dry clear and smooth.























Now trim the extra tissue away and glue in place to cover the bottom of the box. Draw the sides of the tissue up into place, being sure to glue down all edges and corners securely. Use extra tissue if necessary to cover all of the box. Multiple layers and different colors work well, too.

















Once the box is covered, choose a label. I used the front of a notecard that I liked. Since it is going to my two nieces, the two teddies having a tea party was fitting. I covered my picture with mod podge to make it secure and waterproof.

Use a plain 3x5 card to write the address. Secure in place and send!

Washington County Fair

I had five entries for the Washington County Fair this year and two of them brought home Blue Ribbons!!

First, I was finally able to enter my embroidery sampler this year. I had tried to enter it a couple years ago but it did not fit into a category because I had added some cross stitch motifs. This year the entry office made it possible for my sampler to be included, and it won!

I also entered this tea cozy which was knitted with yarn that I spun myself on a simple drop spindle I built. I have decided that I love to spin!