At Turtle Ink Stitchery, we love turtles - all turtles. But there's one special turtle we love a little extra.

Teylin Horatio, also known as Mr. T, is essential to this business. We've been hanging out together since 2004, when I brought him home as a teeny tiny baby.

Mr. T is a Red Eared Slider - an aquatic turtle you will typically find hanging out in an aquarium. But he's never really liked being cooped up. So, despite a 100 gallon indoor palatial pond, he prefers being out where the people are, and over time he's become a bit of a free range turtle. I've set him up with a space where he can hydrate and sun himself during the day, but otherwise he pretty much goes wherever he wants. He has his favorite places to hide (under the couch), favorite places to hang out (under the desk when I'm working), and favorite places to be while I'm quilting (lounging in the sun).

We've been on many adventures together over the past 17 years. In fact, I would argue that Mr. T has migrated further than any other Red Eared Slider - more than 30,000 miles, in fact! How is that even possible? Well, we've undertaken 10 cross-country drives from New Hampshire to Arizona over the past 5 years.

Fear not, Mr. T is very safe. I've learned to listen for him walking on the carpet and looking down before stepping (kind of like if I had a cat or dog). And, he's got pretty good instincts, so even if I move really fast a foot away, he'll tuck himself up into his shell faster than you ever thought a turtle could move. And no matter how much he helps, our final products are always freshly laundered before going out the door. While Mr. T would love to put a turtle paw (flipper?) of approval on every one, he understands not everyone loves turtles as much as I do. 

Layout is one of the biggest puzzles: Mr. T. is there to "help" every step of the way!