You are not alone - I have had my longarm for about 2 yrs - I still feel like I am in the "training wheels" section - it really does take time to become good at it. I look at all those quilts that have all the fancy stuff on them - when I try it - it does not look at all like that. I tend to "paint myself into a corner" I always want to continue my lines rather than stop - pull up the bobbin thread and start again. I really like groovy boards - they are expensive but they work great - when I need a quilt done quickly and don't want to worry about how it will look - I use my boards - my favorites are circles and the baptist fan. Just keep on trying - you will get it. By the way, I did not touch my long arm for a few months after getting it. I was petrified - I am glad to hear that I wasn't the only one out there. Just keep trying - you will get it.