Grandma Eleanor loves growing flowers and she loves to share them. So most of the time when I pick her up, she has some fresh picked flowers from her little garden. Most of the time it’s roses. This time it was zinnias.
Aren’t they pretty?
And check out Cowgirl Eleanor’s purse! Isn’t she a hoot? I’ve seen her carrying this a bunch of times, so it must be her favorite.
Eleanor finished the ottoman last weekend while we were out of town. She did a great job on it. I’m completely happy with it. She put a pretty big hem in it, but I think I can live with that.
And for your enjoyment, another video of Eleanor while we were fitting the slipcover on the chair for adjustments.
Eleanor sometimes talks about sex, oh my goodness, is that ever funny (no, didn’t catch that on video). We all just look at each other with big eyes and pretend that she is not talking. about. that. subject. Basically we just have to ignore her when she gets into that mode. I won’t even tell you what all she says. 
She will blurt out whatever’s on her mind at any moment. She has a man friend right next door to her that she visits regularly and calls him Pop (or old fart, interchangeably) and he’s even older than she is. He lost his wife many years ago and they are friends. She said to me on the last visit that Pop’s son had been over there with shorts and t-shirt on and sure was looking sexy. See, she’s a total mess.
We are working on the chair one more day this week and then I think it will be finished. Hallelujah! I’ve got the houndstooth fabric cut out and I’m going to sew those myself. With some braided trim. 
See! I’m getting brave.
If there is enough interest, I’m going to do a beadboard wallpaper party in a week or two. If you used the beadboard wallpaper and want to join the party, let me know by leaving a comment. I’m just not sure how many will participate, but I think it would be fun to see all the different projects ya’ll are using it for. I know I’ve seen at least 2 other blogs using it.
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
First off, I still want to be Eleanor when/if I groow up…LOL
The cowgirl purse. Precious!
YAY to you for doing the pillows yourself. Since you had your own live how-to show, I’m sure you picked up enough tips to DIY.
Enjoy!
)
Hi Rhoda,
. I’ve used your beadboard wallpaper and if I can get my boys’ bedroom done (2 weeks would be better) I’d love to join the party!
Your ottoman looks beautiful and your Grandma is just precious! Thanks for sharing her with us
Blessings,
Beth
Eleanor is one special lady. She is doing a fabulous job for you.
Alison
I love the deep hem on the ottoman…make it look like a faint ribbon detail somehow. Grandma is precious.
Grandma Eleanor’s ottoman looks fabulous! I can’t wait to see the chair. This is time you will treasure and be so glad you caught it on video. I wish I had video of my own grandmother sewing.
I used the beadboard wallpaper in my kitchen after reading about it here. I’d love to join your party.
Your grandma is a doll. It is refreshing (?) to hear an elder talk about sex. Usually they deny ever doing the dirty, even if they have eight kids!
Love the ottaman and good for you for sewing too. I’d love to learn. Thinking about buying a machine on Craigs list but need to find someone to teach me….
Have a great week ,Rhoda!!
xoxo
Janie
Oh my stars, I love Eleanor, she is just precious. Can’t wait for posts on the beadboard wallpaper, I have used it several times and would love to share!
Rhoda, I love the ottoman, it looks really great. The deep hem looks great, I think. My grandmother used to come out with some real embarassing comments, too. She shocked us many times with things she said. Good for you that you have her to make your slip cover, I am going to have to buy a couple from Sure Fit. I hope I am not disappointed with them. Hugs, Cindy S.
well when our grandmas and aunts get older and start saying what ever they want …get skeeered. get very skeeered! lol… ive seen it happen but thankfully not about that.
whoa.
yes, please no videos lol
i have my own memories i try to forget!
Eleanor is too funny! I love the video… she did an awesome job on your ottoman, can’t wait to see the rest! My grandmother just passed away this summer and she was an avid sewer, so I am first in line to get her sewing table that she loved so much. Having that huge piece of her life here to remind me of her will be such a blessing.
Have a wonderful week. Stop by and check out my latest project! I finally stepped away from my schoolwork long enough to do something fun.
~Misti
I just have to tell you how much I adore Eleanor!!
Aren’t zinnia’s wonderful cutting flowers! I had those at the farm and they provided many pretty bouquets.
Looking forward to the beadboard wallpaper party. I haven’t used it, but I’m definitely interested in seeing all the projects. I think this might be a great solution for under the cabinets, at the condo.
Grandma Eleanor is a huge hit. She reminds all of us of someone in our lives. I love that you are asking her to remain active and productive. She is definitely up for the challenge if that ottoman is any judge.
I haven’t decided yet if I look forward to just being able to say whatever I want…most people get there if they live long enough!
You are a great sport!
Becky K.
Gorgeous zinnias!
And the ottoman slipcover turned out great! Loved the video with Eleanor…she’s a treasure.
Kimberly
I love zinnas, I used to grow them & quit a few years ago. They add such a punch to gardens. Eleanor is a hoot! sex … hmmmm!
Have a lovely week. TTFN ~ Marydon
Hi Rhoda
I enjoy your comments about your husband’s grandmother. I wish I still had a grandmother to enjoy!
I did use the beadboard wallpaper as backsplash in our dated (ugly) kitchen and it helped a ton. I’d like to join your party for that one.
Those grandmas are something else. Mine still drops a few choice curse words here and there. I don’t think she does it for effect…she does it to see our reaction. We always say, “Memom! Go wash your mouth out!” and she just hoots and hollers. It is hilarious! Gotta love those grandmas! You are so blessed to have Eleanor. She is precious! Pretty darn good seamstress as well!
The ottoman looks super! G’ma Eleanor is a treasure, for sure.
Rhoda, I used the beadboard wallpaper. So count me in on the party!
I think Eleanor is just the cutest little lady, you are so lucky to have her. It’s so amazing at how well she can still sew at her age, what a wonderful gift she has.
Blessings,
Linda
Hi Rhoda,
Thanks SO much for taking the time to help me, I appreciate the advice and am working on it. My font size seems to have a mind of its own and changes – but I’m not giving up yet.
Haven’t tried beadboard wallpaper, but I’ll come back to check it out and get inspired by those who have…
Marsha
She is a hoot! I remember when I was a kid thinking nobody had sex after 40. Love her flowers and how sweet that she always has a bunch for you.
Eleanor is precious! So funny…enjoy her while you have her…you will miss her sex talk one of these days! Your ottoman is gorgeous…she did a great job!~Patti
OMG! How cute is that? My husband’s Grammie was 94 when she died, and she had “gentlemen Friends” as she called them. It was a hoot to watch them flirt. She remarried a wonderful man when she was 80. You know how you clink your fork on the water glasses and the happy couple has to kiss? Harry (the groom) just wouldn’t stop clinking his own glass! I remember my husband’s aunt, after a day of lingerie shopping for the wedding night, saying “I’d love to be a fly on that wall!” LOL
Good girl with the sewing. I’m chicken too!
I’m having a “Doors of Welcome” party! Come on over and see what it’s all about! I’d love to have you join in!
Have a great day!
This is one of the best posts I have EVEERRRRR seen! I love it! God bless that woman, sexy talk and all……love the ottoman cover, and picking zinnias…there’s a woman that loves life…she has purpose and she’s living it out. We all need to think about Eleanor every time we get discouraged or want to give up. Just love it!
Mary
I have used the beadboard wallpaper on some cabinets. I havent’ posted it yet on my blog because I wanted to give you due credit. I don’t know how to insert your name into my blog with the automatic link to yours.
I’m so glad you’re going to do a beadboard party! I was just thinking this week that someone should have one!!
LOL … Grandma Eleanor sounds like one funny lady. I wish you could have caught it on tape.
The ottoman slipcover looks great, and the chair slipcover is coming out nice, too. I love that fabric. It looks like it has some sort of texture to it.
I love the idea of the beadboard wallpaper party. I am hooked on the stuff, which I recently used on the front of our breakfast bar and the sides of the lower kitchen cabinets. I want to put some in the breakfast nook, too.
Jane
I think Grandma Eleanor is great! My pappaw was like that. He passed away about six years ago @ 86. He talked about sex and from the way he talked, enjoyed it for many, MANY years. LOL Eleanor probably misses her husband and who wouldn’t miss sex? It’s great she is so active and just keeps on going.
I’ve seen several slipcovers with the deep hem. If that is linen fabric, it can shrink when you wash it, sometimes even if you’ve prewashed. If so, you’ll be able to adjust the hem. She does a wonderful job on the slipcovers.
tina
Oh, she is still the cutest thing. Your project is really coming along! I am jealous that you have such a great seamstress close by to help you. Maybe I’ll see if my Nannie can take a look at my stuff this weekend. She’ll be in town for my younger sister’s wedding. Love the cowgirl purse.
Grandma Eleanor is a hoot! Rhoda, don’t ya know a woman is NEVER too old to appreciate a sexy younger man?! LOL.
Count me in for the bead board party but I guess I’d better hurry and finish up the rest of my projects with it! I heard my husband mumble the other day, “It’s a good thing I like bead board,” as I was applying it to yet another surface.
You are so lucky to have a grandmother – I am so jealous!! Never knew mine, they died before I was born but I like to think it would have been so much fun to be around them. So, I am trying to be the kind of grandmother my grandchildren will remember.
That is priceless!! My grandmother did a lot of sewing for our family and I think that’s why I took such an interest in it. She passed away before I was a teenager.
I hope I can ‘grow up’ to be a ‘Grandma Eleanor’ to my family.
BTW – She did a fantastic job on your slipcover!! Lucky you!
Land sakes! She’s a HOOT
! This one was especially good in seeing her in the final stages of putting the slipcover together…I actually got more from it than some books.
The ottoman turned out great! And Grandma Eleanor sounds like a gem. It’s so funny about the sexy talk! I love her cowgirl purse.
Rhoda I just LOVE Gramdma……..and I love her even more now that I know she talks about S E X. She must have been something when she was younger. I love that she is so REAL !! She may have snow on the roof top but there is still some fire in her belly LOL
A good friend’s Dad just passed at 94, he always had what he called a “lady friend” and they were always much younger !!!
Thanks for this post it made me smile,
Kathy
Rhoda, I saw at Blind Pig and the Acorn that you won a prize-congratulations. Grandma Eleanor-what a pistol. I bet she says risque things just to see what your reaction would be.
The last time my grandmother was at my mom’s before she passed away, she was a riot. I missed so many conversations with her once I was grown and I will ALWAYS be sorry I missed the one where she turned to my older sister (who was sharing a house with my mother) and said, ‘You know, you should sleep with him before you get married so you know what you are getting.’ Our mother just about fell out of her chair…my sister just roared…we’ve ‘discovered’ a few things since she passed and apparently grandmother was rather bawdy in her day…doesn’t surprise me and makes me love her more.
Rhoda, I have been following your blog for sometime. I haven’t posted until recently. I decided to start my own blog to join in all the fun you gals have. I love reading about Eleanor. She is my kind of lady!
I would love to share my few beadboard wallpaper projects if you decide to do this. I’m in and out of town alot with my laptop sometimes and sometimes without!! So if I’m around, I’d love to participate.
She doesn’t seem like a mess to me! She seems like a sexy woman who is embracing her age and lovin’ life. Good for her!!! LOL!!
I love how patient you are with her. She seems like a sweet person and I know she feels happy to spend time with you.
Hugs!
Kat
Rhoda, Have just recently found your blog and now one of my favorite times of the week is looking at it and all of the links! I would love for you to do a beadboard wall paper party. I have not done that yet, would love to though, so this would be right up my alley.
Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing so much of what you do with all of us out in cyber space. PS, will be in Birimingham this weekend visiting my 2 daughters/families. Maybe I’ll run into you Sat. morning around town and the sales!!
I have really enjoyed this project with videos featuring Grandma Eleanor!
I am actually in the process of looking for a small chair for a corner in my bedroom. While in my local Goodwill this past weekend I came across one that was the perfect size and quite comfortable. Only problem I had was it was a gold-orange and I don’t have Grandma Eleanor. Oh how I wish I did! Reupholstering a chair is way to out of my boundaries.
Enjoy your time and again thanks for sharing the videos.
I wish I had a Eleanor in my life. What a sweet little women. You are blessed to have her.
Pam
Rhoda, I love Eleanor and her stories. When my grandmother was in her late stages of alzheimers she would come out with some real pearls according to my mom. And I remember fondly that one time I tried to give her some paperbacks to read and she told me “no, the one’s that you read do not have enough sex in them”…put me in my place!
How cut she is with her southern accent! I can’t believe how well she create those slipcovers! It’s amazing at any age!
If you put the beadboard wallpaper off for a few weeks I may be able to join in. I want to do my bathroom but I’m not sure when I can get to it!
Well now I wish you would share some of Grandma Eleanor’s sex talk! I’ll bet she’s better than Dr Ruth.
I love it that she talks about sex — how terrific. Just because there’s snow on the rooftop, doesn’t mean there isn’t a fire in the hearth –that’s what my Mom used to say, and she talked about sex a LOT.
And had 4 kids…..
Cass
Aw what a precious lady grandma Eleanor is! The slip cover looks great. I just ordered beadboard from Home Depot for my kitchen! I will definitely join your party too.
Blessings,
Sandra
That is such a great post! Eleanor is an inspiration to all of us~ love how the ottoman has turned out too. Cindy
Grandma Eleanor is the coolest grandma ever!
Hi-
Grandma Eleanor sounds a lot like my grandma Marjorie! She also blurted that sort of thing out too! No secrets there! But grandma’s are a lot of fun. I sure have enjoyed your blog. Your home is beautiful.
Lauren from Florida
Your grandma is so great just like my loving grandma she loves growing flowers. They are stunning flowers. How sweet!
Oh, my goodness! I think Grandma Eleanor and I would be bestest friends! (Actually, I’ll probably *be* Grandma Eleanor in a few years. LOL)
Love your Grandma E stories. I have not tried the beadboard wall paper but would love to see what others have done and I may try it one of these days.
you know I’m going to love this – big hem or not! I wouldn’t even have noticed that – is it too big? not sure what you mean by that! Grandma did a great job, I might have to hire her! loved this story.