Tuesday 10 May 2011

Well wrapped up and digitally enhanced: a tale for our times

Until last week I was in danger of slipping down the wrong side of the digital divide, and becoming one of those lost souls about whom governments exercise themselves, and provide drop-in sessions at libraries. I am not one of those who sends messages tip-tapped out with their I-thumbs, and I was in possession of a mobile phone which surely qualified as vintage, if not antique, but then I like the distressed look (which is a Good Thing, as I am a Living Example of that look).


But so digitally unbalanced had I become, that I rarely used this aged piece of technology, and found myself slipping down that digital divide into an older generation who only carry a mobile phone 'for emergencies', and the little black brick just weighed down my bag, and stayed turned off for much of the time because it was such an effort to make the 'On' switch work (especially if my fingernails had become denuded by gardening without gloves on), and the punctuation button was cracked (and you can tell I am Yesterday's Woman, by the fact that I use punctuation in text messages) and even if the phone was switched on, so antique and vintage have my eyes become that it was all a bit of a struggle to read those tiny letters when a text came through.

 If it was too dark, or the sun was shining too brightly, or I was a touch fatigued, well, then, it hardly seemed worth the effort. And I could only use it at work if I went outside onto the front step, which is all right in the summer, but on a cold winter's day it was all a bit much.

But luckily one of the bright young things in the office (well, in fact, one of the few under-40s working in agriculture, such is the ageing of the workforce) took matters in hand and procured me a shiny new phone with big print and loud ringtone. (He told me that it wasn't a special needs phone for the digitally unbalanced, but I think he was being nice.)


So new and smooth and shiny is this phone that I began to fear for its safety in the deepest recesses of the capacious portmanteau (together with the capacious knitting bag) which accompanies me on my travels: my old mobile was originally labelled 'semi-rugged' and suitable for builders and such like. It made me feel quite hearty and adventurous when I first acquired it, and I can vouch for the fact that it has survived many a bounce on the floor, although possibly that is why it had become a little temperamental.

Now, although the General assured me that phones are really quite robust nowadays (why is it when a Young Person says 'nowadays' you immediately feel that you ought to be reaching for your Zimmer frame and hearing aid?), the Ploughboy asked what model I have (I could tell him because it is written on the front) and replied, 'Oh,' in rather a dismissive way (and honestly, he is such a nice boy, really) so I decided to mark my digital rebalancing with a bit of stitchery, as the sort of old person's model of mobile phone that I now possess seems to look a little fragile.

I have left the little pull-off sticker on the screen, just in case, even though my children informed me that the sticker is removable, in patient, kindly voices, the sort of tone one would use to someone slightly deaf and possibly slightly unhinged as well.


And you will see from the pictures the result is quite surprisingly pleasing - I am always surprised when things that I have made turn out pleasing, it must be something in my childhood. (Please ignore the scraps of thread - the camera has spotted what my poor old eyes did not - which do demonstrate that I really did make this dinky little phone pouch with my own dear hands.)


The pattern (which has two sizes) came from Keyka Lou, and even has a handy little pocket for business cards on the back (carrying business cards does make me feel quite executive and important, even if I don't come across many people to hand them to: it's the thought that counts).

There are lots of nifty patterns for purses and bags and pouches in Keykalou's shop, and I have to say that I can highly recommend this one. The instructions are so clear and simple (lots of nice pictures) and although I am a slow worker, and somewhat spatially challenged, not to mention easily distracted, it only took a couple of hours to make - probably just one hour for someone a little more efficient.


The fabrics were from the Tanya Whelan Ava Rose range, and you could make several of these phone cases from a couple of fat quarters; the button has been smiling at me from my button box for some time, and unfortunately the elastic is so vintage that it has rather lost its ping, so I had to add the stylish knot that you see.

And that's the end of my stitching for the day - back to Peggy Sue for a bit, or I might even be obliged to do some proper work, like address my overflowing filing tray, but that would be too distressing at this time of day, so I think I will leave that until tomorrow. And the Head Chef has gone out with a lot of sausages, so it looks like I might have to cook supper (he tells me it's very simple). I will go and consult How to Run Your Home Without Help, and possibly consider a blog post addressing staff problems and the busy housewife. Au revoir ...

37 comments:

Lucille said...

I do believe we have the same phone. Sadly mine lacks the stylish pouch. I do however have a smiling button so maybe its moment has come.

Serenata said...

Oh you are funny Pomona, such wonderful wit. I am rather relieved though that I am not the only one who uses punctuation when using text messages...what am I talking about? Do I send messages? Not according to my family, I am one of those who just carries the phone for emergencies, and only then because hubby bought it for me, oh about gosh, years ago now.

dottycookie said...

I have somehow transitioned from a person who has a phone only for emergencies into one who feels lost without one; I went out today in trousers without pockets and forgot to transfer my phone into my bag, and was aware of a sense of impending doom all the time I was out - what if the school needed to get in touch with me and they couldn't?! Very sad really.

And your pouch is very lovely. I have had the fabric and the intention to make one for, literally, a year - it's still not even cut out.

Marigold Jam said...

Loved it! I too have a small brick type 'phone and only today I asked if we might justify buying something slightly less weighty as my bag is weighing down my poor rhumatic shoulder! I have taken to txt spk but only because I am such a Scrooge I want to get the most possible message for my hard earned cash!! I don't have a case now but I did make one years ago from a strip of inkle weaving I happened to have and which was just the right width but it wasn't nearly as stylish as yours pingless elastic or no. I have to admit that even with my glasses on I didn't see the threads nor the knot in the elastic - maybe I need another trip to the optician's?!

Sarah said...

I love the pouch - I've got the same fabric here so may give it a go. I also use punctuation when I send text messages and also spend too long typing the full word rather than a shortened version of it!

Miss Emmelines said...

Thank you! Today has been one of 'those' days - a complete horror & your delightful writing temporarily made me forget all about it. I smiled, I laughed, I nodded in agreement AND I got to see your beautiful handiwork. Well done you!

Amy Friend said...

You make me laugh. I am in my mid 30s and have no "i" anything. It's not that I am not interested but just don't find it a necessary expense. I do have a cell phone though and am not afraid to use it :)

Beki said...

I can't leave the house without mine and often wonder how on earth we used to manage!

B xxx

Mister D said...

Love the phrase - punctuation in text messages conjours up a sense of style and class !

Hen said...

Ah Pomona, you do make me laugh and I do love to read your writing, this has to be the most well written blog out there (and you know that I can't cope with the ones where correct grammar and spelling are sadly lacking). Several things struck a chord so we can be old fogies together: I use punctuation in my texts, too (the other half won't even allow shorthand in messages to him) and I also have the little plastic screen guard thing on the screen on my sewing machine. I mean, why remove it? It's been on there two and a half years and it's still going strong... Fab case by the way.
Hen xxx

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Fabulous phone case! I need to start investigating something for my new phone.

Victoria xx

VintageVicki said...

I hate having a phone - and I really hate the hi-tec one I have at the moment - even after a year I struggle to get it to do what I want it to do :(

Rubyred said...

Oh I do love your pouch! I don't say that to many people!
I am in my 'early' 40's and I still use my phone 'for emergencys' and on Thursdays when I'm at the market!
I don't want to be on call 24/7 but my friends all tease me about it!
hhmm..we have a tv recording machine I don't know how to use either!
Rachel x

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

I love your 'dinky little phone pouch' and I'm sure you'll be the envy of the 'younger' generation' with such a 'cool' cover. Good link to the shop as well. Thanks for the comment on my blog. Caroline x

Cathy said...

I love that dinky little phone cover. I need to get one for my very ancient Nokia. I must admit to being one of the generation who carries a phone in case of emergencies but I do turn it on first..haha.

I am with you on the business card front too. I want to get some so that if ever anyone asks (very unlikely) I will be able to casually hand one to them as if I do it everyday.

Callies Cottage said...

Love it!I have to keep my phone in a pocket on vibrate or I forget all about it!!I think I may try making a pouch for it now...
Warm Wishes,
Callie x

**Anne** said...

Gorgeous phone pouch and another lovely witty post. I'm an emergency phone user too! Shrugging shoulders here, it saves money. :)
Anne xx

Pat said...

Your post is a delight! And the rose covered fabric is lovely for your new phone. By the way - you know how to text and that puts you on a whole new level - I would have no clue how to begin and in all honesty am of that age that carries a cell phone "only for emergencies." What I get a kick out of is my Dad - who is almost 93 and if I am out and about, he usually checks in on me...at 67, still his little girl.

dragonfly said...

I use my iThumb (or should I say iFinger?!) to punctuate all my texts messages. I'm wondering where that leaves me in this digital age... I do confess to being totally addicted to my iPhone and am commenting here on it right now.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

What a delight to read your witty tales of teccy woes..
I can totally identify with your frustrations with these little 'bricks with buttons'. I swore I would never own one, let alone use one, but now I find myself squinting at the text and wishing I hadn't lost my reading glasses. I especially curse these things when they decide to beep at most inappropriate times i.e during my son's University lecture at school last night!
Michele x

willow said...

I have a "vintage" phone and type my text messages in full sentences with punctuation! I don't use it much as only my family know the number. It worries me when it rings because I immediately think it must be an emergency - yes, definitely the old person's attitude to mobile technology!

Gina said...

I'm another "phone for emergencies" person who forgets to turn it on or take it out... and I punctuate my text messages. I rather like the stylish cover though. If I had one of those no-one could see what an ancient phone I own.

Vintage from the Village said...

Hi Thanks for you comment. I will follow your lovely blog !
Love your mobile phone case too
Best wishes
Sue x

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

How cute is that!
I don't own a cell phone, text or Facebook. I guess I'm in the rare minority. This Mac I'm on is the only portal I have to that big digital world out there.
Those pouches are nifty though and I'll go take a peek.
You are just too funny.
Susan x

Hausfrau said...

I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for commenting at my blog--I am following you now!

...Nina Nixon... said...

You did make me laugh.

I so remember my grandmother refusing to answer the phone - she always made my grandfather do it. Then again that may of just been a ploy to get him to move out of his favourite armchair!

Love the phone holder thingy too.

take care,

Nina xxx

Karen L R said...

Oh, Pomona. I have a love/hate relationship with my cellie.

This is quite a sweet little phone pouch. The vintage fabric takes a bit of the sting out of the high tech-i-ness of the phone.

Loved this post.

claudia said...

very nice blog,compliments from Tenerife!!!!

Katherine said...

Very stylish and it should do a lovely job at protecting your upgrade. :o)

Oh, my I do believe I'm one of those that has slid down the wrong side of the digital divide. LOL I, um, don't even own a mobile phone and when my husband loans me his for any of my big city solo shopping adventures, I fumble around trying to remember his instructions for using it. lol

Poppy said...

Very funny.... I don’t think I could be without my phone now. But it is a pain sometimes.

I love the phone holder.

Lou xxx

Rowan said...

My phone is a tool that I use as and when required. It stays at home a lot of the time because I've managed to successfully live a large part of my life without being constantly on the end of a phone. I text my children - and I use punctuation too:) - but it doesn't rule my life. I really like your little pouch though, it's very pretty.

sara said...

I spend most of my time trying to evade the demands of my mobile phone by absentmindedly leaving it in the most difficult to find places.............someone always finds it and hands it back to me with a benevolent air accompanied by a slight shake of the head........"MOTHER, I just found your phone inside the fish fingers box in the freezer".........there is no escape from this modern technological mother locater!

Lovely phone pouch though, gorgeous fabric.

lily x

. said...

How funny... I'm toying with the idea of an iphone at the moment. Don't have a clue what to do with it but the man on the tele said it was brill!

Little Blue Mouse said...

I love your pouch and the button is just great! I can't believe I have button envy for that!

I'm another emergency user, and I punctuate my texts and use capital letters in the proper places. :)

Helen Philipps said...

Loved this post - sooo funny!! Your little phone pouch is adorable - I've used that fabric for a bag and I think it's gorgeous. I love it with the stripy lining you chose. Have a happy day.
Helen x

Floss said...

Ha! You've reminded me of the days when I was Special Needs Coordinator of a needy school in Leeds - one day one of my lovely, very patient, young SEN support workers took the time to show me how to turn of the 'automatic text' button on my phone. I could tell he was using the same patience he employed on our pupils!

It would be lovely to see you in London - I know Jane of Marigold Jam would love to meet you too, as she said so! I'll post some ideas of places and times when we could meet up, once it gets nearer the time.

Unknown said...

Such a lovely case Pomona and as a recent smart phone convert, my goodness, I cannot believe how my well my new phone and I have bonded.

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