Hat Creek Camping Trip

We got away for a few days in May to a place we discovered last year.  Hat Creek Resort has some really cute cabins with of all the essentials! No need to pack silverware or dishes.   I know, I know, it's not REALLY camping.  I mean we have electricity, a bed, couch, cable and a shower.  So..."camping" it's not.  However, it is out in the woods and there is a campfire out back and fly fishing for the hubby, so it's as close to camping as we get anymore!


I took my sewing machine and worked on my "Less than Traditional" quilt.  I got all of my circles sewed into units of four.  The kitchen table  was well suited to my travel machine and I had plenty of room to work.

We stayed in one of their largest cabins this time so we had LOTS of room to move around.  In comparison to the very small place we stayed in last time, this was pretty nice!

We took two of the dogs and they seemed to have a good time as well.  What dog doesn't love running around in the cool mountain air chasing squirrels?

Pearl is so cute!!

Here's my set up.  I was happy to get all of those pieces put together.  Now that I have sets of four, I need to put them together into larger sections. (Sigh...more work).

Here I am, camping attire and all!  See that stack of circles in the background?  I got a LOT done!!  :)

Lots of fun in just a few short days.  Getting away is so rejuvenating! 

Lots and lots of Circles!!

I decided to make a quilt that I've been wanting to make for a really long time.  It's called a "Less Than Traditional" quilt or more commonly called "Cathedral Windows".  Basically, you make a whole bunch of circles and once they're assembled the quilt is done.

Here is my box of circles.  They're a random assortment of Asian fabrics all backed with a purple batik.

Notice the white basting stitch around the edge of each one?  You sew the fabrics together, (right sides matching) and then turn the circles right side out.  Then you smooth the outer edge and put in a long basting stitch to keep the edges flat and keep the fabrics from turning to one side or the other.

One of the reasons I decided to do this project was that I could turn and stitch the circles during my lunch hour.  I worked on them on a recent plane trip to and from Hawaii and from there on my lunch hours.  I'm all done now and I have 96 circles.

You assemble the circles in units of four.  Here is one of my units.
 I've seen the Less Than Traditional technique at many shows.  The first time I saw it was when I went to the Paducah, KY show.  (It was AWESOME, by the way!)  :)

The author's website is Quilting With Charlie if you'd like to check out the technique. 

Here is the biggest section I have so far.  It is a combination of 4 segments made up of 4 circles each (for a total of 16 circles).

 Here's the thing I'm not liking.  When the segments of four come together, the area where the stitching meets is pretty stiff.  Not sure what I'm doing wrong...but I really do like the overall look. 

It was a good way to use up all of those Asian fat quarters!!  I'll keep plugging away at it.

Thanks for stopping by!  Heather  :)