I took your suggestion on the wrench quilt.  My boss's daughter is pregnant with her 3rd child (1st boy).  The two girls each have quilts and I am regularly hearing about how much they love the quilts, play with them, bring them to grandma's, etc.  So of course I need to give them one for the new little boy (with blue backing to distinguish from big sisters' quilts).  I decided what better quilt for a boy than the wrench quilt.  I added the "bolts" you suggested using prepared edge applique - I really love having various "tools in my toolbox".  I turned under the edges using the same method I've been using for my Christmas quilt - freezer paper and starch to turn the edge.  Then just top-stitched around each one.  It worked great and the entire process from cutting to sewing took about two hours.  The blank white hexagons from the original pattern were kind of distracting to me, I like it this way much better.  Thanks for your suggestion.  All ready to quilt.

the pattern has half left facing & half right facing llamas.  Another complexity to the pattern, I have to keep up with each as certain parts of the pattern change depending on which way they face.

Glad my idea (which meant more work for you) was do-able.

The baby boy's dad or grandpa will get the joke of wrenches and bolts in case mom doesn't.

Funny! I remember Mr Bill.

I leave Tuesday for hubby bucket list trip.  ND to see his grandparents home place that is falling down.  Only cousin still in the area.  I have no idea what we are doing for a week - DH is beginning to wonder that himself!

so, as Patty said- take a bunch of hand sewing!

I have both Dear Jane blocks and Dresden plates that just might get packed tomorrow.

enjoy that stitching and traveling!

That is cute!

You might want to check out old cemeteries for a day, just to take a few photos. Never know when that information from graves will come in handy for future generations who are interested in family tree information.

My kids were astonished at the family burial plot where my parents were buried in Indiana; they were the last two people (of many generations) that were squeezed into a very large plot purchased in the 1800s. 

That’s an idea.  I have no idea where his grandparents and the bachelor brothers are buried.

Your wrenches quilt is darling! Perfect for a little boy.

Dee, you are amazing!