It’s our blogaversary today! 2011 marks 10 years since Faith and I started ‘Compai’ – which has taken many forms. When we started Compai it was a label for a collection of bags we were designing in Italy. Then we opened one of the first recycled/upcycled boutiques there, and called it Compai. A few years later when we decided to self-publish a how-to manual on how to cut up your T-shirts, and Compai went international.
Two years ago I started this blog as a way to track my creative adventures, and my sister, Faith has joined me (as we tend to do) and now, Compai is a Design Studio that takes on all types of creative projects. One of the things that defines us as a brand is our ability to reinvent ourselves and ‘mix it up.’ Perhaps it stems from our interracial heritage or our extensive travels growing up, but the common thread in all of our projects is earth friendliness, an eclectic bend and creative reuse.
To celebrate two years of the Compai Blog, and to thank you all for your ongoing support, comments, tweets, and all around love, we are going to giveaway the three books of our 99 Ways Book Series. Be inspired to upcycle your T-shirts, Denim and Scarves– plus the books look really cute on a shelf or coffee table all lined up in a row.
For a chance to win you must be a follower of the Compai blog, and leave a comment below sharing something that you have upcycled. For multiple entries, tweet, blog or facebook about the giveaway and then leave another comment here with a link to your tweet, facebook announcement, or blog post. One winner will be chosen at random on September 19th at 5PM PST . You may leave up to 3 comments. (International entries welcome).
Thank you all for making blogging one of the best parts of my day, everyday!
I just made a small bag out of an old pair of jeans. Hope you like it. :)
http://angolodicucina.blogspot.com/2011/09/trasformare-un-vecchio-paio-di-jeans-in.html
@maddelaine – la tua borsa fatto di jeans e’ deliziosa!
Congratulations on ten years of wonderfulness. I’m so happy I found this site. You regularly make my day!
I upcycle all the time. My last project was using an old planner to make a book cover. I’ve used an old leather jacket to upholster an office chair. The list can go on and on but I really like this giveaway. Please pick me :)
I have up-cycled old sheets in turquoise, yellow, white and black into fun zippered pouches great for cosmetics or office supplies. <3 Thank you so much for giveaway.
An over-sized, stained 70’s chevron dress in yellow and white became a fun, tailored maxi skirt (heavy weight linen for fall perfection.) Thank you again for hosting this giveaway <3
Final awesome up-cycle involved turning used coffee bags with appealing graphics into one of a kind notebooks. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway <3
Happy Blogaversary! My newest work is an artist is taking discarded clothes, sheets, pillows (whatever I can get my hands on) and creating fiber sculptures. I can’t stop! (you can see some on my blog). THANKS!
I follow via GFC.
I upcycled a black canvas tank top into a purse. I also took hardware from an old purse including the zipper to put in my “new” purse. It actually turned out well and I use the purse all the time now. It’s inspired me to make more upcycled purses!
(e-mail is in profile)
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/111892533163999232
oooh! happy anniversary ladies!! what a great effort- love the blog!
i recently upcycled my bedding and had a fabulous time in the process:
http://thetranscontinentalaffair.blogspot.com/2011/08/shibori.html
I took a thrift shop $3 beige velveteen skirt that would barely fit around my thigh: dyed it burgundy; took out the zipper; sewed it up so the wasteband folded over like a collar; put three decorative buttons on the side and wear it as a caplet. Get lots of compliments!
you can see it here: http://judithwesterfield.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/upcycled-or-repurposed/
I took an old t-shirt, glued a zipper down the front, and cut the fabric. I have it for over a year, and i still get tons of compliments on it. And that’s one of many….
Great giveaway! I love this blog.
I love this blog and I especially love the Rose Bowl flea market posts. Lately I’ve been upcycling baby clothes because I am expecting. I found a cool fabric art marker called Tee Juice and it has been fun for drawing designs. I got a pack of white onesies and dyed them different colors and am decorating them with the marker and fun fabrics.
Awww wow… I really love hearing all of your upcycling ideas and also thank you who have shared with us your favorite installments on the blog– it’s always nice to see what things people are viibing with!! Thank you all so much!
Just wanted to say what a lovely day (yep, that’s right, a whole day!) I’ve had wandering through your blog.
So much stuff to love.
Congrats! I just made some earrings from parts I scrapped from a printer, a bookcase, and some buttons(not sure if that counts as upcycling).
http://craftyelements.blogspot.com/2011/08/earrings.html
Super congratulations! Hmmm… I wonder if my sister would every want to team up with me? I think she’s too busy entrepreneuring. {sniff}
I just recently posted about upcycling an old door someone left outside. http://exploringthewondersoflife.blogspot.com/2011/09/reclaimed-wood-table-project.html
I have dire need of those books. I will be back with more comments!
I just posted on my Facebook… (Shari Durfey-Tortorich), and shared the giveaway on a couple of my friends’ facebook walls, too…
Here’s a link to my blog post, sharing this site and the giveaway to my readers… http://exploringthewondersoflife.blogspot.com/2011/09/compai-giveaway-check-it-out.html
:-)
xox
omg omg awesome giveaway!!!
I like to upcycle stuff! here’s one (from the many) i posted on my blog
http://becauseshestartedknitting.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-refashioned-chambray-skirt-with.html
tweeted about the giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/#!/gwenstella/status/112172054853320704
Happy Blogaversary, darling! You are forever inspiring me. And yes! Gimme those awesome books! :D
upcycling my wardrobe and make-up! xoxo
Happy Blogaversary, Justina & Faith! Like David said above, “you are forever inspiring me.” Love you girls! XX constantly-upcycling-myself shanny
happy tenth anniversary. I have up-cycled an old tablecloth into napkins and even curtains. We also have some old pop crates in our basement that I would love to paint and use for storage someday. Decoupaging old glass bottles/jars are great ways to create new vases or candle holders, I did it one year for Christmas and everyone loved them.
I love what you do, it is very inspirational. My last upcycled creation was a oversized circle bag made from upholstery sample fabric pieces that I got for free from shops selling sofas.
Why circle bag? to put my collapsible hula hoops in it!
Love Jana
Pizza Delivery Bags
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Nice!!!!
well I found an old window, than I took off the old paint and repainted in blue and pink! Hung it on the wall to put the headbands I design! as you can see in here: http://jupadilha.blogspot.com/2010/10/meninas.html
I´m with my fingers crossed!
I am following the blog! I upcycled tablecloths into curtains and broken old cameras into planters. Thanks so much!
Anna (mattandanna at live dot com)
I tweeted about this giveaway! My twitter ID is annadbphoto
Thanks so much, Anna (mattandanna at live dot com)
Happy Blogirthday! I have been a fan since the first time you ladies guested Thread Banger all those years ago! I just upcycled a suitcase that lost a wheel into a cat hammock. It follows the rules of cats- as long as you spend zero dollars they will love it!
Made the annoucement to the giveaway on Facebook, woop woop.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/sarahelizabethrogers7
I am a DIYer for LIFE! So I have many up-cycled items in my wardrobe to choose from!
My favorite has to be a hoodie sweater I made out of two large, shapeless Goodwill hoodies. I wear it all the time and it is definitely the project I am most proud of. If you’d like to see it, I encourage you to check out my blog!
http://mgheart.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-made-my-first-hoody.html
I LOVE YOU COMPAI GIRLS keep it up!
Congrats on your tenth anniversary.. Doesn’t seem possible that 10 years have passed since you first made those wonderful leather belly bags .I’m not a diyer but I sure do admire all the wonderful things you creative gals come up with.
Love your blog.. and love you.
Congrats on ten great years. I am a serious DIY/upcycle girl. My latest project is a bunch of diaper covers from old jeans complete with liners from old t-shirts. But, my favorite thing is to make jewelry out of odd miscellaneous things.
My latest upcycle idea is to make coffee cup holders out of old jeans and ribbons.
Thanks for the great posts.
I bought your 99 scarves book and sent it to my daughter who lives in Indonesia where they have scarves and sarongs everywhere. She loves the book and makes things for her friends.
About 2 years ago I made my husband a lunch bag out of old plastic bags. He loves it so much, he is still using it, even though his co-workers call it the “lunch-purse”…
My old button collection has been growing and growing, so, I made a button cuff and am in the process of making similar button leg-warmers… they’re going to be awesome :D
http://underbite.blogspot.com/2011/01/friday-snow-day.html
Love Compai and all of your creative endeavors!!!
Also, this last Christmas, I made upcycled pins from old books, ducktape, buttons, feathers, etc. for Holiday gifts. Also, I used a bunch of old clothes and fabrics to create my husband and I’s first Christmas stockings!
http://underbite.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-belated-christmas.html
Hopefully there would Compai here in our place. I would love also to see the designs of their bags.
http://www.isidoradesigns.com/
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I really like your blog, I have been following this blog for a long time, and I have learned a lot of interesting tips and useful information in life.
Wishing you continued success and growth in your creative projects, and may your brand, Compai, continue to thrive as you inspire others to embrace earth-friendly and eclectic design. Here’s to many more years of exciting and innovative endeavors! Cheers!
Wishing you continued success and growth in your creative projects, and may your brand, Compai, continue to thrive as you inspire others to embrace earth-friendly and eclectic design. Here’s to many more years of exciting and innovative endeavors! Cheers!