Turtle Trouble

I finally finished Sheldon the Turtle for my co-workers baby. I'll be honest if I'd known how hard he was going to be I think I would have just made a hat. This is what I get for not reading through a pattern before I start it. On the bright side I learned several new skills while making Sheldon.
I knew I was going to be expanding my color work skills with the shell and I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was. I finished the shell back thinking the worst of the pattern was behind me.
Then I read that you are suppose to crochet a border around the underside part of the shell (I like to call them the turtle's underoos, b/c they look like little turtle underwear) before attaching it to the top part. Small snag, I don't know how to crochet. No problem, I spent two days watching Internet videos and dived in. Aside from making me feel like I had lost all ability to control my left hand (seriously could not make my hand hold the yarn in any sort of productive way) it wasn't so bad. It wasn't a pretty picture to watch, but I got it done and I even think it looks pretty darn good for my first crochet project anyway.
I was again confident that the worst was behind me. Then came the I-cord edging, that's that little green rolled edge at the edge of the shell. It attaches the top and bottom of the shell together, which makes it very important and unskipable. (believe me I tried to figure out a way around it) I did not think I was ever going to make it through, there was much screaming, cursing and even a few tears.
But, none of that matters now, because the end result is so cute.
It was so hard to turn him over to his rightful owner. I'm glad I didn't know how hard he was going in. I would have never tried it and I'm pretty happy about my new skill set. Since making Sheldon I've also tried a couple of crochet flowers, which I think would look super cute in Ellie's hair, if she ever gets any.

Thanks for reading.