Welcome to the board! Lots of experience and friendships here! Quilting can be very addictive. LOL There are some rulers that are made by Quilters Rule that can help with straight line cutting. They are a little pricier that the others but I have found them very helpful with rotary cutting. If you can purchase just one, I recommend the longer one. I like Olfa mats best and do not depend on the gridded side. I use the blank side.