Maybe you learned the hard way, but that is the best way to learn.  There is nothing that can compare to experience.  Your next model will look so much better because of this.  Also, you will be able to print your own decals from now on, and know that they will work. 

So as long as you don't give up, you have improved your skill set.  That is what is important at the end of the day.  Not your failures.  I expect to have a big string of them really soon.  Going to build a few armor kits and give my hand at weathering like I have seen the the contest.  It would be nice if the first one comes out great, but they won't.  It takes failures to learn.