Clearly, I am a tortoise

It  develops slowly but surely. 

This leather looks a bit dirty after stretching it onto the last as if the shoe has been not so gently used.  There are also two dark spots that were not visible before.  It is rough, which may just work for this design. I will probably use buckles instead of buttons and I would like to carve the heel - which is walnut - with some sort of engraved design and keep the finish natural.  We'll see...

This is how it looks before the sole and heel are added
There is a brass shank at the instep.