CUTE JAPANESE STATIONERY, PENS, DIY WRAPPED PAPER BOOK COVERS. MIYAVI & VERSAILLES J-ROCK CONCERT IMAGES.
Yesterday, I did a simple DIY project that was blast in the past: I wrapped the covers of my books! When I was in elementary school, we had to wrap our textbooks to protect them from damage. Back then, I used Hello Kitty gift wrap.
How little I change. I ripped out color concert photos of Miyavi and Kamijo (Versailles) from the Gaku-X magazine issue that featured my DIY Gothic Lolita crown article.
The book-wrapping process is pretty self-explanatory. Cut the paper to size, snip out the “spine” area, fold and tuck the corners, tape. Since the paper edge is exposed at the spine, I reinforce the area with tape.
Underneath the Visual Kei glamor are Japanese vocab and grammar books. The covers were blah, so I replaced them with colorful pretty-boys; I figured this would motivate me to pick them up. I’m also sick of people who come up to me while I’m reading, and try to make conversation about learning Japanese. Look, I’ll talk to you if you can recognize the J-rockers!
(Incidentally, wrapping books is very popular in Japan and offered in many bookstores. Why? Well, most businessmen don’t want to broadcast to the world that they’re reading Shojo Beat…)
Kawaii stationery is also big in Japan. How amazing is the Happy Panda letter set from Japanese dollar store Daiso? The caption reads, “Some day, I want to ride a camel.”
My high school issued free organizers, but being me, I refused to carry around the same thing as everyone else. So every year, I bought cute, colorful planners and notebooks. Here’s a selection from the archives; you can see the Death Cookbook in here. If you don’t have cash to spend on Sanrio goods, you can put stickers on the cover of a sketchbook, like I did.
Lastly, I keep a Rilakkuma ballpoint pen in my purse at all times. Whenever someone needs to borrow a writing instrument, I get a kick out of pulling out a yellow stick topped with a bear’s head.
If you’re itching for cute pens and kawaii stationery, Jlist is your one-stop web shop (come browse the website for your favorite Sanrio character goods). Are you a fan of cute writing equipment? I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow mine…
Kisses for Basil Farrow, my Scottish Fold cat who modeled for these photos. I leave you with a free recipe: Hockey Penguin Onigiri on CNNGo.com. For more, please take a look at my J-pop cookbook, Cute Yummy Time.
Song of the Day #295: David Bowie – Let’s Dance (Had a fab time celebrating Bowie’s birthday at the Dances of Vice / Glamdammit party in NYC. Pics to come.)
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LA CARMINA
80 Comments
When I was in Japan, I got my parents a Cinnamoroll notebook, you know, for writing down phonenumbers and stuff (… Or was it a cheap excuse to just buy it, cause it was cute?) I don’t know what it is, but you see all the cute stuff and you HAVE TO BUY IT.
Also, there was a Cinnamoroll diary, and I didn’t need it. I bought it anyway. I’ll give it to people. SOMEONE DESPERATELY NEEDS TO OWN IT! O_O
However, I obviously needed the pastel yellow Sanrio hoodie.
(Hmmm… Sanrio Gift Shop is a dangerous place, really.)
Awww I know the feeling… MUST HAVE! hahah! And they’re so cheap in Japan, how can you pass them up??
I love cute stationary! I went through a phase of buying tons and now i have a draw full of it that i’m never going to get through. You should have a look at janet store -> http://www.janetstore.url.tw/ it sells tons and it’s super cheap!
Thanks for the link! Nothing cheers me up like cute stationery. And yeah, I have to stop myself from impulse purchases… a few dollars here and there, and my drawer fills up too :O
very kawaii stationary ^^
<3
When I was in Japan, I got my parents a Cinnamoroll notebook, you know, for writing down phonenumbers and stuff (… Or was it a cheap excuse to just buy it, cause it was cute?) I don't know what it is, but you see all the cute stuff and you HAVE TO BUY IT.
Also, there was a Cinnamoroll diary, and I didn't need it. I bought it anyway. I'll give it to people. SOMEONE DESPERATELY NEEDS TO OWN IT! O_O
However, I obviously needed the pastel yellow Sanrio hoodie.
(Hmmm… Sanrio Gift Shop is a dangerous place, really.)
I love cute stationary! I went through a phase of buying tons and now i have a draw full of it that i'm never going to get through. You should have a look at janet store -> http://www.janetstore.url.tw/ it sells tons and it's super cheap!
very kawaii stationary ^^
That’s a really good idea…I have a ton of old Visual Kei magazines! I’ll post some photos here after I’ve done some!
Oooh wonderful!! Can’t wait to see photos. Once again, you’ll be the most stylish scholar around XD
I do try :) Oh wait, I don’t, it just comes naturally! Your books on Confucianism are standing on my bookshelf…they were tempting me today! Not to wrap with glam, but to read ;)
I love my Confucius comic book. Somehow, the medium works perfectly! And the cover is snazzy enough on its own. ;)
If you take pics of your wrapped books, show me!
Wow hehe in my childhood, I really didn’t care what my books looked like or what type of planners or stationary I had. I sort of just used whatever was there without thinking about its appearance xD
But now, I want cute writing equipment!!! D: I want stuff from the Sanrio characters too!!! (Except for Hello Kitty… I have a weird vendetta against her for some reason).
That’s why Keroppi is master of the Death Cookbook!! :P
I used to have to do that to my books too, I always ended up doing flowery paper for mine
My school sadly in elementary took the whole “everyone needs the same thing so no one feels bad” idea to the max we had to have same folders, notebooks and planners, the only outlet I had was a pencil case, which was Sailor Moon I still have that hehe
Ahh, I went to a private school with a lot of rules, but I milked every possible outlet for creativity! We had to wear uniforms, but I managed to decorate the pin on the kilt with sparkly beads… :P
I never really had much cute writing equipment & such…but I did however deck out my notebooks & binders with any cute stickers or pictures that I found interesting…I got alot of weird comments on it…lol
I always got weird comments and LOVED it. I used to carry around a BRIEFCASE to school, instead of using a backpack or messenger bag!
I remeber having to cover our books in middle and elementary school. I hated it cause when u took the stupid cover stuff off it left the book all sticky. Never thought of doing something cute like this. By the time I got in high school the great invention of book soxs came out. Its also when my school announced you didn’t have to cover books anymore. I LOVE CUTE THINGS!! I used to have this stationary with this odd but cute character in the bottom right corner so cute!
Book sox!! I never heard of them. The things people invent! :)
LOVE SANRIO
^^
now u got me wanting to do book wraping
Haha I love Japanese stationery! Korean stationery’s not bad also.
Anything kawaii is all right with me. :)
That's a really good idea…I have a ton of old Visual Kei magazines! I'll post some photos here after I've done some!
Your cat is amazing!
<3 <3 thanks!! You can see more on his Scottish Fold blog, http://lacarmina.com/basilfarrow and his Facebook (Basil Farrow). xoxo
Awww I know the feeling… MUST HAVE! hahah! And they're so cheap in Japan, how can you pass them up??
Thanks for the link! Nothing cheers me up like cute stationery. And yeah, I have to stop myself from impulse purchases… a few dollars here and there, and my drawer fills up too :O
<3
Oooh wonderful!! Can't wait to see photos. Once again, you'll be the most stylish scholar around XD
Wow hehe in my childhood, I really didn't care what my books looked like or what type of planners or stationary I had. I sort of just used whatever was there without thinking about its appearance xD
But now, I want cute writing equipment!!! D: I want stuff from the Sanrio characters too!!! (Except for Hello Kitty… I have a weird vendetta against her for some reason).
I used to have to do that to my books too, I always ended up doing flowery paper for mine
My school sadly in elementary took the whole “everyone needs the same thing so no one feels bad” idea to the max we had to have same folders, notebooks and planners, the only outlet I had was a pencil case, which was Sailor Moon I still have that hehe
I never really had much cute writing equipment & such…but I did however deck out my notebooks & binders with any cute stickers or pictures that I found interesting…I got alot of weird comments on it…lol
I remeber having to cover our books in middle and elementary school. I hated it cause when u took the stupid cover stuff off it left the book all sticky. Never thought of doing something cute like this. By the time I got in high school the great invention of book soxs came out. Its also when my school announced you didn't have to cover books anymore. I LOVE CUTE THINGS!! I used to have this stationary with this odd but cute character in the bottom right corner so cute!
I adore adore adore Japanese stationery! And Korean stationery! I love the ones with the food images the most.
Your books look awesome with the VK covers :)
And that comment about businessmen and Shojo Beat made me LOL.
Ohhh yeah, I love the cute sushi and buns with faces on them…
Hehe, I understand the desire to keep one’s reading materials (literally) under wraps. Too many curious faces trying to peek at the covers, or using it as an “in” to start a conversation!
That's why Keroppi is master of the Death Cookbook!! :P
Ahh, I went to a private school with a lot of rules, but I milked every possible outlet for creativity! We had to wear uniforms, but I managed to decorate the pin on the kilt with sparkly beads… :P
I always got weird comments and LOVED it. I used to carry around a BRIEFCASE to school, instead of using a backpack or messenger bag!
Book sox!! I never heard of them. The things people invent! :)
I have this thing for cute and functional stationery and supplies. I love all your planners. So cute! Thanks for the link to JList. I will definitely be checking out what they have to offer.
LOVE SANRIO
^^
now u got me wanting to do book wraping
Haha I love Japanese stationery! Korean stationery's not bad also.
Highly recommend Jlist for all the cute Japanese items, magazines and more that they sell (and for great prices!(
Wow! u always post the best stuff, by the way ur cat is beautiful! =^.^=
Basil says thank you! <3
every pic tells a sweet story abou him. I love ur cat !!!!!!:)
I just adore you Basil, thus i have requested from a breeder to have two scottish folds by the end of this year, as the twins came at 31 weeks, sadly our youngest daughter did not make it, our son and eldest daughter will be ready to welcome more animals into our menagery of life. ;o)
Your cat is amazing!
Anything kawaii is all right with me. :)
<3 <3 thanks!! You can see more on his Scottish Fold blog, http://lacarmina.com/basilfarrow and his Facebook (Basil Farrow). xoxo
I adore adore adore Japanese stationery! And Korean stationery! I love the ones with the food images the most.
Your books look awesome with the VK covers :)
And that comment about businessmen and Shojo Beat made me LOL.
Ohhh yeah, I love the cute sushi and buns with faces on them…
Hehe, I understand the desire to keep one's reading materials (literally) under wraps. Too many curious faces trying to peek at the covers, or using it as an “in” to start a conversation!
I have this thing for cute and functional stationery and supplies. I love all your planners. So cute! Thanks for the link to JList. I will definitely be checking out what they have to offer.
Highly recommend Jlist for all the cute Japanese items, magazines and more that they sell (and for great prices!(
Wow! u always post the best stuff, by the way ur cat is beautiful! =^.^=
Basil says thank you! <3
every pic tells a sweet story abou him. I love ur cat !!!!!!:)
I just adore you Basil, thus i have requested from a breeder to have two scottish folds by the end of this year, as the twins came at 31 weeks, sadly our youngest daughter did not make it, our son and eldest daughter will be ready to welcome more animals into our menagery of life. ;o)
I do try :) Oh wait, I don't, it just comes naturally! Your books on Confucianism are standing on my bookshelf…they were tempting me today! Not to wrap with glam, but to read ;)
I laughed at the Shoujo Beat comment. As for kawaii writing instruments… I have an adorable Hello Kitty pen from Japan that I use ALL the time with a little sailor Hello Kitty dangling off the top. It makes taking notes enjoyable. :) (It also makes the girls in my Japanese class green with envy. xD) I’ve decorated notebooks like that before, but I’d never thought of doing it do an actual book! I may need to get a planner now JUST so I can do this with pictures of Uruha. *drools*
<3 Lashy
It’s true — it makes schoolwork all the more enjoyable when the notebook is cute! <3
(This is kinda random, but I wanted to share with you…) Also, I wore those pumpkin pettipants I won from you to school, and I got sent to the security office. I got there and our security officer just told me they were cute, and sent me back to class with a bag of candy. xD It totally made my day.
Hahahahh reading that made my day!! Did you think you were going to get into trouble?? I’m so glad the pettipants are getting you candy! :D
I laughed at the Shoujo Beat comment. As for kawaii writing instruments… I have an adorable Hello Kitty pen from Japan that I use ALL the time with a little sailor Hello Kitty dangling off the top. It makes taking notes enjoyable. :) (It also makes the girls in my Japanese class green with envy. xD) I've decorated notebooks like that before, but I'd never thought of doing it do an actual book! I may need to get a planner now JUST so I can do this with pictures of Uruha. *drools*
<3 Lashy
Hiya! Yummy, I like this recipe! ;p and I love that kind of stationary too, especially Hello Kitty!! Japanese characters are sooo cute! (so is little furry Basil) =3
xxx ^_^ xxx
Awww that emoticon is super cute!! xoxo
I love korean stationary.
Hiya! Yummy, I like this recipe! ;p and I love that kind of stationary too, especially Hello Kitty!! Japanese characters are sooo cute! (so is little furry Basil) =3
xxx ^_^ xxx
I love korean stationary.
I love my Confucius comic book. Somehow, the medium works perfectly! And the cover is snazzy enough on its own. ;)
If you take pics of your wrapped books, show me!
It's true — it makes schoolwork all the more enjoyable when the notebook is cute! <3
Awww that emoticon is super cute!! xoxo
(This is kinda random, but I wanted to share with you…) Also, I wore those pumpkin pettipants I won from you to school, and I got sent to the security office. I got there and our security officer just told me they were cute, and sent me back to class with a bag of candy. xD It totally made my day.
I had to wrap my textbooks in school too. I used inside-out grocery bags and ended up scribbling bad spooky stick figures and band names all over them. As for cute pens, I have a slew, mostly Little Twin Stars, Badtz Maru and Pucca. Also, I have lots of cute stationary. I like using notebooks with different characters or designs on the front because it helps me keep track of which notes are in which book. The dollar stores in LA are a pretty good source for random, cute supplies.
hahah how little we change! I think we’d be friends if we met in elementary school. :P
I’m in LA very soon, with Yukiro. Let’s email about meeting up!
Hahahahh reading that made my day!! Did you think you were going to get into trouble?? I'm so glad the pettipants are getting you candy! :D
I had to wrap my textbooks in school too. I used inside-out grocery bags and ended up scribbling bad spooky stick figures and band names all over them. As for cute pens, I have a slew, mostly Little Twin Stars, Badtz Maru and Pucca. Also, I have lots of cute stationary. I like using notebooks with different characters or designs on the front because it helps me keep track of which notes are in which book. The dollar stores in LA are a pretty good source for random, cute supplies.
hahah how little we change! I think we'd be friends if we met in elementary school. :P
I'm in LA very soon, with Yukiro. Let's email about meeting up!