Ongoing Saga

My Janome dealer is the best. I have been waiting since the week of Thanksgiving for my Janome 6600 to be fixed. Janome told them to replace a part and it didn't work. They then suggested they replace the entire circuit board. We were waiting for it to arrive. On Tues. I sent an e-mail to the owner to see if he could hurry Janome up and lo and behold the part arrived that day. I left them alone until today. I just couldn't stand it anymore. The repairman told me that the circuit board didn't work so the machine was boxed up and being sent to Janome to fix. AHHHH!!! I am going on retreat the second week in Jan. and the shop is 250 miles away. I need it to be ready for me no later than the 5th of Jan since I start back at work on the 9th! I told the repairman that I was going on retreat and could he please ask Janome to hurry. I never yelled, raised my voice or complained. I just told him I was getting frustrated. About 15 mins. later the phone rang and it was the manager. He told me that he is getting a new machine in this week and is going to trade my machine for it. He will then be the one to deal with Janome and the "never heard of " problem with my machine. I really think that is nice old fashioned business. Instead of leaving me to sweat it out he is taking the burden of waiting and reimbursement on himeself. I know, that is the way a business is SUPPOSED to run but it doesn't always happen that way. I guess the word I am looking for is customer service...an almost unheard of commodity in this day. I am so happy that I don't have to worry about retreat. I refuse to start my log cabin quilt on anything but the Janome. I sew a much better seam on it. (as a matter of fact, I had buyers remorse when I first bought my machine. I couldnt' understand why I HAD to buy a new machine. I mean I agonized over it for a year and just HAD to have a new machine. I now know why. This 6600 is fabulous machine. I have been sewing on my old Kenmore...
which when I bought it was an upline machine. I am having trouble with the fabric pulling to the left and wiggling under the presser foot. I finally understand that it wasn't me not understanding how to sew a straight seam but the machine.) So, sometime between now and the 5th of Jan. I will receive a phone call to go and pick up another machine. I can't wait!

Log cabin update. I am trying to find someone locally that sells the Marti Michell log cabin ruler and book. I love the concept of the ruler. I also found the Shar Jorgensen templates at Joanns and Hobby Lobby. If I use templates then I will be obligated to buy a rotating rotary mat. I am trying to figure out if I NEED either. I know the answer to that is no but I also know me. I don't want to use the June Tailor Shape cut because as much as I love it, I really think that every strip is just an ooch off. I also think that it wobbles just a smidge but enough to notice after you sew. I suppose that all this agonizing and worrying and planning is just part of the fun of this hobby but enough already! LOL!