my AhHA moment came when I was watching a DVD by the Pajama quilter (she is great for beginners by the way...very encouraging!) She practices her designs on a dry erase board. don't put your wrist down as you are trying to teach your arm the movement. I had some REALLY ugly designs to start and still go back to that dry erase board when I want to learn a new design. Just use the low odor markers- ask me how I know! lolol