How did you get started?

Hi there,
Having read a blog post this evening, wherein the author discussed how she got started in crafting, I decided I'd share my story too.

Back in 2008 and following an illness where in I was out of work for a few weeks, I decided to get crafty again. I was always dabbling with something growing up, painting with acrylics, oils and pastels and I also enjoyed baking too. While surfing the net I came across a craft store based here in Ireland and popped into their forums, had a good look around and thought to myself that I'd like to try it out. It was approaching my 30th birthday and so I decided that I'd make some invitations to go out, rather than buy them. I really didn't know what I'd do and so posted on the forum looking for suggestions along with how to get started. I decided to make little purses where the invitation was a card placed inside it. The colours I used was purple and hot pink with silver buckles and ribbon for handles, very girlie. Everybody commented on how wonderful they looked.

This side of the summer is always busy for me with birthdays etc. and so I kind of took off from there. I remember making my sister's birthday card, popping on a cool photo of her, doing a few other things but not fully knowing what to do. I bought lots of embellishments along the way but wanted to do more. Then I came across a group called Kilcoole Crafting Club based in Wicklow, about an hour from home. I'd such great fun with those ladies, everyone made me feel welcome, let me try there toys and I attended many more workshops from there.

6 years later I'm still crafting. Where decoupage was my main style, I now mostly enjoy stamping, using Tim Holtz products, my Cuttlebug, using LOTV images and Martha Stewart products too. These are the items I simply can't live without. I don't have one particular style because I like many. I particularly love vintage and steampunk but try pretty much anything I can get my hands on.

How did you get started? I'd really love to know.