does she like to sit outdoors in the garden as well, or picnic? Daytrips, etc? If so, maybe make her a little portable stationary desk for writing letters. Add a nice picnic type cloth to sit on, stationary, and other letter writing stuff, along with the gardening things - packs of seeds, bulbs, gloves, new gardening tools

I like the idea of the little portable desk. Yes she is very much an outdoor person, thanks for your ideas.

The suitcase lid can be the desk. I also meant to add that I have seen some cute re-doing of old vintage suitcases on Etsy, though not sure if any are available now. I trashpicked a really cool round american tourister case last year, with a red satin lining. The outside is gray blue, very hard plastic vinyl type material, would be easy to paint, and I saw one online (etsy again) painted white, with black trim along the edging seams, and then big red poppy type flowers painted on it. Very simple design, even a non-artist could manage it. That would look great on the one I found, especially with the red satin lining. I have also seen many where vinyl decals or stenciling is used for decorating them.

The problem with the suitcase I want to do is that it is in perfect condition except for a musty basement smell that I just can't seem to get rid of. No point in doing anything to it if I can't first get rid of that smell!

I've read that stuffing suitcases with newspaper and leaving for awhile will get rid of odors. Haven't tried it myself.

I have found Febrez works on some things. I used it on an old sewing machine case. Once in a while I get a whiff but it really helped. I wiped down the in side and outside both. Never found that newspapers helped. I also thought that a complete coat of varnich or sealer of some kind would work, depends of the material.

Try setting a bowl of white vinegar inside it. Or, laying it out open in the sunshine.

Place a bowl of charcoal inside it and close the lid. Check it after a day or two. It should get rid of the odor. It kills odors in old freezers and ones that have had food spoilage so it should work for you.

Just noticed this post. Old suitcases are very difficult to remove the odors. Try this: if you can find Yellow Sweet Clover, it grows in roadside ditches in our area. It must be in bloom, cut a good bunch and stuff into the suitcase and it will take the odor out. It will do the same for your musty basement. For the basement I cut multiple small armloads and scatter here and there in the basement. Let it remain there for a few weeks.