Imelda from the Singapore based design blog, Imedagoze, sent me the most beautiful package yesterday. We are swapmates (do you recall the magazine swap?), so her package arrived filled with goodies from Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. I was so surprised because she went above and beyond to include a Zakka decorating book from Japan along with cards, decorative tape, and a few other adorable things. These gifts really made my day, in fact this swap was a nice experience for me since I think sending regular mail is almost becoming a lost art… I miss cards and letters via snail mail, don’t you? There is nothing more exciting than the Fed Ex man ringing your bell with a little box from a thoughtful friend.
Have you heard of decorative tape from Japan called Cram Cream (I think this is the name of the brand)? I just heard about it a few months ago, it’s so cute. I imagine it being a great way to seal presents, especially if your tissue or wrapping paper is a solid color. I’m sure little girls love it, too. If I were twelve again, I’d be bouncing off the walls for this stuff. The tape that Imelda included in her package is colorful and fun with squirrels, mushrooms, and porcupines all over it. In addition to the words, “Cram Cream”, there’s an obvious chat going on between a lone squirrel who politely asks a passing porcupine to come over to his mushroom home. Of course, as with most products from Japan, things get lost in translation. The words on the tape simply read “Come On My House”.
Interested in viewing cram cream products? There’s a flickr group exclusively for cc addicts. Seriously. So cute. If you’d like to purchase things, read through this thread, lots of cc resources… There are groups for everything on flickr. Just google the most outlandish thing and chances are, it’s either on eBay or Flickr.
Have you heard of cram cream before? What fun uses have you found for it? I seriously need to start hopping back over to Japanese websites to scour for stationery and home products, I know there’s so much out there to cover, but so worth it. I’ll try to dig up a few gems for you today. Stay tuned.
Thank you again Imelda!
August 31st, 2006 at 6:40 pm
What a wonderful swap package! I really must sign up for a swap soon.
I love it when things get lost in translation. I saw so many wonderful stationery-type treasures when browsing through the dollar stores in San Francisco’s Chinatown. One of my favorites was a little pencil box which featured a cartoon duckling riding a bike alongside a flying baby goat. The message read “I feel luck to gave met, you are a great friend”. Another pencil box featured a gopher looking at a piece of cheese. It read “I can dream about you. I’m gonna press my lips agans”.
I will have to look for Cram Cream – lots of birthdays coming up and it would be fun to have something lighthearted to tie around packages.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:13 pm
what a cool coincidence – i have been researching images from cram cream for a ‘childrens designs’ moodboard. i’ll definately be posting some pictures up at P+P soon.
September 1st, 2006 at 12:22 am
I’m so glad that you like it, Holly!
I was first introduced to Cram Cream thru Flickr, and good thing we have it here at Takashimaya. Not the whole Cram Cream range though, but I’m happy enough to find their decorative tapes there.
September 1st, 2006 at 12:23 am
I’m so glad that you like it, Holly!
I was first introduced to Cram Cream thru Flickr, and good thing we have it here at Takashimaya. Not the whole Cram Cream range though, but I’m happy enough to find their decorative tapes there.
September 1st, 2006 at 8:09 pm
reprodepot.com usually has some cram cream stuff.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I noticed your Bride and Groom print as I was breezing through here…is that from Connie Pecoraro? I love her work!