Hi Claire,
I was in your boat about 9 months ago. So I bought a canon 400D wich is a good camera but I bought it without looking at the market. I only had it a few weeks and realised it was no good for me. With the anger of her indoors hahah I then purchased the Canon 40D, with camera is brill, in short look at the market for what you can afford then look some more. DSLR is the way forward, but the way you take it forward is up to you and your imagination.....Derek