Its not a failure, its just unfinished. I've never made a log cabin quilt, but just recently I decided to piece blocks for a four inch border. Boy was I sorry!! I had to make 84 blocks (aircastle - one large triangle and two smaller ones), then square them all up to size. I thought I was never going to finish, and got so sick of it I would have hidden it away if it weren't for the encouragement of my GOM.!! So I know exactly what you mean.
The funny thing is, I'm quite proud of the border now it is all put together and on the quilt. Keep going. I'll bet when the quilt top is finished it will look fantastic, and in any case, at least it will be a quilt to remember!!