I really am having a problem containing my excitement as I write my first post here as a Stampin'Up! Demonstrator.  This has been a long time coming, I attended the launch that the company did in Bristol when they first arrived here in the UK back in 2008 and I was hooked. I had spent the previous few years admiring their products from across the pond, but at that point I chose another path...........Stupid huh?!!  

Well they say everything happens for a reason and during those few years my creative journey took me in a different direction, I met some great people who became friends, so I guess it was all meant to be.

Maybe I can save some of you who haven't crafted before or who are relatively new to this hobby some  heartache (and cash!!)
I learnt by my many, many, many craft purchases, mostly the hard way that:
(a.) The phrase 'buy cheap, buy twice!!' is soooooooo true!
(b.) That most of the time the colour of the patterned paper on your craft desk does not at all resemble the card stock you just bought in Hobbycraft to go with it! Doh!! Nor does the ribbon purchased on-line go with either of them! Double doh!
(c.) Having heaps and heaps of mix and match products can make the creative process somewhere near impossible.
(d.) I bought too much and used too little because nothing worked together, and I couldn't find what did work in amongst the chaos of it all.

I jokingly referred about myself to both Neil and my Mum as being in SU Therapy and it honestly feels like that for me.  Maybe part of that therapy should be that I admit it here - OK here goes: "I'm Belinda and I'm a craft bargain -a-holic"   

Since I made the decision to sign-up not an urge to purchase on the recent craft day on a certain TV Channel, not even much of an urge to watch nor to succumb to the lure of the hundred million zillion on-line craft store emails I had signed up for offering me **% off some fab new whizzy product that I had always drooled over and would probably never use!!!!

It feels brilliant to be honest. A weight has been lifted I can see the wood because the trees have shed their leaves...........!  I carefully chose my kit  - oh yes you can personalise your kit to suit your style and preferred colours!  It arrived and I was doing the happy dance for some time. I eventually calmed down and assessed that one of my favourite things in my kit was the fab colour coach offering subtle and striking colour combos I cannot possibly have a problem with matching any of these products.  I have found myself seeing inspiration everywhere and it is a real a pick me up,  I feel more positive and inspired  you never know where it will strike! I was in John Lewis the other day and Bam! Pow! just like Batman it hit me, this lovely bedlinen clashing colours but so pretty together and then I was near the wallpaper and it got me again!! 

I am definitely going to use these as inspiration for some projects this weekend!

I'll be back to show you what I came up with.

And there will be all the news about my Launch Event!!

Bel x