Nine years ago, on August 4, 2010, I took a leap of faith in beginning a brand new adventure.
I’d lost my job during a time when the economy was bad, I had a husband in construction and that affected him as well. It was a very tough time for us. When I’d lost my job, it really sucked right in that moment, but I knew that Heavenly Father had a better plan for me. I knew I needed to work from home and that everything would work out like it should.
I had no idea at that time what it would be. And I had no idea when I decided to take that leap a couple months later into the self-CEO world that I would be blessed in such a wonderful way.
Who knew? Maybe I should have known when the day started at 5 a.m. with lightening striking right by our house that life was about to get electric. ;)
So we are celebrating these nine amazing years with something special. I wanted to gift some of my favorite things. And today’s favorite thing is this mustard seed necklace from Gracefully Wrapped.
I bought this in silver a couple years ago and also gave them to my two besties for Christmas that year. It has a lot of meaning…faith is like a mustard seed and all. Much of my life is based on faith. I just adore this necklace and wear it often.
This necklace is simply stated and beautiful. Love the rectangle design. And it’s great to layer too.
So I’m gifting one of these in your choice of silver, gold, or rose. Leave a comment about a moment of faith in your life and I’ll pick a random person to be the recipient of this gift. The lucky person will be announced Monday.
NOW, WHAT WOULD A BIRTHDAY BASH BE WITHOUT A SALE?
Now through Sunday you can save 30% on purchases of $10+ on most downloads+classes using the code HAPPY9. You can also save 10% on most stamps, discount already applied. Also, if you missed seeing the news about several stamps retiring, be sure to check that out because they are in their last days here. Some have already sold out too.
Also, as part of the birthday celebration, we have the ‘sells out every time’ Outnumbered: One and About Time XL!
These are a limited release making a special appearance just for the party. The won’t be seen ’round these parts again for a bit.
And now, speaking of stamps, we have two new gems in today, Learn and Spot On!
Love Spot On for a fun little background–tag, 3×4 card, or a whole spotted page? Oh yeah.
Shall we see what Miss Maggie has for us today? I say, oui!
As I told our Miss Maggie when I saw this, she has a way with ‘words’. :) I always love her special way of making word collages to accent her page. She’s ‘speaking’ my language! This page is just awesome.
Here’s what Maggie has to say:
I can hardly believe the start of school is only a few weeks away for my kids…this summer has flown by! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating my older son’s 8th grade graduation.
I decided it’s about time to get some of those photos documented, and Kerri’s LEARN stamp set is the perfect way to do it. I love that this set is perfect for anytime during the school year, from day one until the last day, and I’m sure it’ll be a major player in all of my school-themed projects from now on!
I started my spread by finding some ledger paper and cutting it down to fit into my notebook.
While I love to use full-page-sized photos in a lot of my TN spreads, I decided to use a slightly smaller photo for this one. I printed it in black & white, adhered it to my ledger paper, and then ran a few lines of stitching across the top and bottom to add a bit of texture.
Next, I added a number of the phrase stamps from LEARN to the bottom.
On the opposite page, I used both the LEARN & About Time XL sets to date and decorate my spread. I LOVE that darling little schoolhouse icon!
Finally, I typed up a few lines of journaling & then adhered my finished pages in my notebook.
A quick & easy spread…just the way I like ’em!
I just love this necklace. I sure hope I’m lucky enough to win in silver please. I love you too Kerri, you’re the best.
I have had many “steps of faith” moments in my life. We purchased a motorhome several years back and the license plate we chose was STPOFTH. God always has a way of stretching us to do new things and take those leaps of faith. He is such a good father! I love your necklace and the meaning behind it! Happy 9th birthday!!! You have taught me so much about my Silhouette through your classes!
My moment of faith is ongoing. My husband passed away unexpectedly in January. Everyday I feel his loss but I also feel God’s love. Congrats on 9 years of your business. Love your stamps and your silhouette cuts! Enjoy your day!
My steps of faith are daily! I am a 3 year breast cancer survivor – met a lady at yoga class this week who just finished chemo. God puts you where you need to be. A cancer journey can be lonely even though you are surrounded by family and friends. I am excited to be a friend to Katherine. I always look forward to reading your blog and instagram posts. You are not only inspiring but also the best teacher. You rock the short hair! Happy anniversary and many many more. The necklace is pretty special too.
Congratulations to your 9th anniversary. Just found your blog 2 month ago or so and have been inspired by your art ideas. Living by faith is part of my daily life and I love the mustard seed anology. May God continue to bless your business.
Faith that God is good, all the time!
Hi Kerri. My faith is the foundation of my whole life. When I was a little girl our pastor gave my sister & me a mustard seed necklace. I lost track of it over the yrs but the symbolism has always stayed with me. I’ve had a lot of health challenges over the last 20 yrs and no longer work outside my home but paper crafting & memory keeping are a life savor for me. (Thank you for tracking down my lost work email & History class a few yrs ago! That was above & beyond what you needed to do but I truly appreciated it!) My faith has gotten me thru the rough days & I celebrate every day God gives me to make a difference in His world!
It’s hard to pick just one moment to tell you about. Trusting the LORD that going to graduate school was the right thing. Trusting the LORD to get me through an incredibly difficult year (2017-2018..and maybe a bit on either side, too)– it was by His grace and power that I was able to do anything at all. Trusting the LORD’s timing (rather than my own wishes) so many different times in my life (having children, having ankle surgery…). Most importantly, trusting the LORD for faith, rather than trying to muster it up on my own.
Congratulations on nine years!
I just moved from a place I love back to where my kids’ dad lives. It’s hard. I grew up here and have friends from high school still, but that was 20+ years ago. Other than that, it’s me and my kids, my scriptures, and Heavenly Father figuring it out as we go. It’s hard!! I know that this is where my circle on the map is supposed to be right now, but it’s not any easier. Hard things, man!! In all of this, though, I’ve felt the push to document everything, so I’m working on it while I bloom (in faith) where I’ve been planted.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERRI!!
Just over 7 Years ago my vision of my invisibilty was rocked by a health diagnosis, while waiting for results I saw things I knew were signs that all would be well if I would just keep the faith, and of course I did. Every year when I go in for a check up I start to get anxious…I stop and I remind myself of a mustard seed and I am at peace once again!
I’m not sure I would be here today if not for my faith and my church family. Through loss of my sister when I was 13, a divorce involving infidelity when my child was one, caring for my aging parents until their death — all of this to a final blow of losing my job of 37 years. I often refer to the scripture regarding the “faith of the mustard seed” whenever I have conversations with friends and loved ones regarding my depression now that I am living alone. I know God has a plan for me and so I take each day as it comes – grateful for the opportunity to do one good deed every day.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this beautiful necklace and the reminder that it represents.
Happy Birthday! Congrats on your special occasion!
A moment of faith for me was some years ago – a scary time – my ex left me with two young kids in a new house we couldn’t afford. I knew I had to get my degree to support my family and with prayer and a lot of faith that I could do this – totally changed my life! Having faith in yourself seems easy, but sometimes its not. My family had a lot of faith in me too! I now see my daughter with three young ones….feeling unsure about motherhood challenges. If I won, I would give it to her – reminding her that she can do anything with God, faith and love of family!
Happy Birthday to your business!! What a giant leap of faith.
One of my most significant moments of faith came in 2000. My husband came down with Guillan-Barre and was paralyzed and on a ventilator. The doctors told me he would get better but that’s hard to believe when you see someone you love just laying there with no ability to move or breath. I put my trust in God and he worked miracles. I thank Him every day.
Two weeks away from my daughter’s birth, my husband told me he no longer wanted to be married. He left when she was three days old. My husband did not support our children, and I had run out of money. I prayed a specific prayer for needs: car insurance payment and shoes for the boys. I told no one about that prayer at that time. When I got back to my desk after lunch a few days after that prayer, there was an envelope on my desk with a picture drawn on it: some clouds with the sun poking through and three crosses on a hill. Inside was a new $100 bill, enough to pay my car insurance and buy the boys the shoes they needed. Yes, God does provide in our need.
Faith is and always will be a part of my everyday! I believe God has guided me through my life every step of the way!
Congratulations and Happy Birthday!! You are such a creative inspiration to me Kerri!!
After 30 years of marriage my then husband decided it was time to move on. He left leaving me with little support for our special needs daughter. I spent about 2 months feeling sorry for myself and then decided that I had no choice but to continue on. I found out I not only was able to work full-time, care for Madison and shovel the damn snow, but I did it with style. I was super proud of myself. After being on our own for over a year – a chance message for dinner from a high school friend has turned into new found love and life!!
Congratulations Kerri! God blessed you and you have blessed us with your wonderful creations! I’m walking in faith as I type this. Due to a reorg at work, I’ve been “positioned” to lead a team of people. This is not something I’ve ever wanted to do, or feel capable of doing, yet I know this is where He wants me to be. I’m leaning into Him when the days go smoothly, and when the days are challenging. While I still have moments of panic, I know He is with me and that’s what a hang on to, everyday!
At the age of 52 (young I know LOL) my husband felt like God was leading him to leave pastoring our church of 16 years and to go into church planting. That meant selling a lot of what we had and moving 6 hours away from family to begin new church work. We are starting our eighth year of living here. I miss family but am so thankful for a husband who loves God and takes us on an adventure in faith for sure!
You know I’m your biggest fan!
After a bike wreck in which I had multiple facial and skull fractures plus other breaks and lots of lost skin, I had 7 wks of a wired jaw and lots of time to think about my life. Many many times I didn’t think I was strong enough to face another day. But every single time, God reminded me that I’m not here only for me. It was His love and the the love of my family and a couple of determined friends that got me through those days. It’s been 3 years and 1 month since that day and yesterday I was finally discharged from all treatments. It’s been a very long road and every inch I’ve wondered WHY. There is no WHY. There just IS. How we choose to accept this is up to us. This isn’t a commentary about having a positive attitude because sometimes that just isn’t possible. This is about learning to think beyond ourselves. To appreciate the people God has placed in our path. This is a post about love.
My moment of Faith came when I was a teen mother and prayed for help in making the right choice. My answer came to me at a time when it helped me save myself and my son. I joined the US Air Force and became a part of a huge family. I will never forget those early days and the wonderful family I now have. Thanks for listening.
I lost my job after 27 years with the same company. I felt God with me as soon as I heard the news. After all those years in corporate, I took a leap of faith and also became self-employed by going into Real Estate. Business has been roller coaster of ups and downs and I’m still walking that leap of faith 4 years later. It’s what I love but I know my business isn’t mine it is His so if he decides it’s over….I’ll throw a temper tantrum but I’ll follow LOL. Love this necklace and I love your work. Thank you for taking your leap of faith and sharing your inspiration with the rest of us! Happy Birthday!
Congratulations on 9 years – such an incredible achievement.
We feel like we are living with a lot of faith at the moment. Feeling called to be somewhere else but not sure where or how. So just preparing our hearts and house for when we know more. Both hubby and I feel God is wanting us to be open to what’s coming next. Waiting nearly requires more faith than the hard decisions that I’m sure will come but trusting in the path put before us.
In 50-something years I’ve experienced many moments of faith. Each child, each move, each home purchase…. I always tell myself (almost mantra-ish) “God has a plan, trust in His plan.” And I do… the most recent huge trust was the purchase of a HUD home. Lots of potential, along with lots of work 💕
Kerri you are an inspiration… In 2005 I took a leap and left working in the dental field to work in a new scrapbook store. It opened so many new doors for me and a world of creativity.
I have been following you at a distance for probably most of your nine years. But at quite a distance. I even purchased a couple of your workshops (History Project & a cutting class). I always had the intention of working through them but have not yet. *starting NOW*. Is it crazy that I want to buy more with your current sale!? Lol I absolutely love your designs and you are a huge inspiration to me. A few years ago I changed jobs after 23 years at the same corporation. It required major faith. My experience has always been with business and finance. I now find myself drawn to the world of art and creativity. Again faith is required as I’m not really ‘artistic’ but I’m still doing it and having so much fun. I feel like a ‘baby designer’ but life is good. Thank you for being you and letting me admire you from a far! *** time to start working though those classes … ***
SO SO GLAD you took the leap of faith! I love your ideas. I have used your designs for so many gifts and when I do they are used and loved!
I’ve haven’t ever done anything too drastic. We did move 5 years ago after living in the same house for 20+ years. I just knew someone else need to live in that house and it was time for us to go. It all worked out well for both us and the buyer.
Happy Birthday and Thank you for sharing your talents!
When we moved across country to get out of an potentially dangerous situation with my ex-husband. Jesus has blessed me, indeed.
What a lovely gift to give away today. I put all my faith in my Lord when I was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly 3 years ago. It was caught early thank God but I still walk in a daily faith that it will not recur. I enjoy each day to the fullest now and even took an early retirement. Thank you for the chance to win and for your generosity.
Kerri congratulations and Happy Birthday!! I’m so glad that Instagram has led me to your shop. I love supporting small businesses and I want to thank you for some of the great conversations we have shared here and there between me telling you how much I love your stamps! Please don’t enter me in for this one – but I do love your necklace so much and I’m going to buy one for my sweet friend for Christmas! Excited to see Kerri Bradford Studio continue to grow! Hugs and love to you xxo
My hubby and I had a rough patch about 18 years ago. We were really young and still trying to figure out how to communicate. During that time I would talk with his mom all the time who would constantly tell me different scriptures to help me through the really rough days. I found my way to being saved through that time with her help. I believe it saved my marriage and these days we are as happy as can be!
Moment of faith-I have had many. I think the most precious is when I’ve been exhausted, had nothing left to give and a friend steps in and refills my bucket and encouraged me. Then I know I’m not alone and God sees me.
I have had some on-going health problems which were making me depressed. I was lonely and sad a lot when a friend knew of a puppy needing a new home. I wasn’t sure if I could care for him enough with my health issues, but he became mine. I had faith he was meant to be mine, and it was the best thing I could have done. The health issues are still there, but they are more bearable with my funny little puppy.
I turned 75 this week, and I’ve been thinking of Proverbs 31. I want to be a woman “clothed with strength and dignity, who laughs (smiles) at the days to come”! Trusting God’s plans for my life is my goal.
Wow!! Happy Birthday!
I feel like faith is something I experience every day- Always on my mind from my health and wellness to just giving new craft techniques a go … I mean its something I always believe in!
Congratulations on 9 years , I love all your stuff , you definitely have a gift . Now if my stuff turned out great like yours , well that’s a different story lol ! Keep up the wonderful work , I look forward to your posts !!!
(Silver )
I totally have that mustard seed necklace. It is so cute! When I feel it I remember that I have to have faith and persevere when things get tough! I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for helping me.
I have a simple motto. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Simply, be kind.
My faith is the foundation of my life and has been the guiding force in surviving a very scary end to my marriage-that, and my four children, were my lifeline and what kept me going.
They still do! Thank you so very much for the opportunity to win such a beautiful necklace!! :)