Author: Betty Pepper

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Living on the Edge; work in progress…

Well hello, are you fine? I’d like to tell you that 2021 is off to a spectacularly smooth start and that everyone is getting along famously. But wouldn’t you know it; there has been a rumpus overnight. When I left my desk last night I would have sworn that everything was in order, albeit unfinished and being held in place with makeshift buttresses. However, on my return this morning, I heard from Ted that George had kicked off at about midnight because Allen had said he was getting some legs today and was planning to do some running with scissors. Well I’ve tidied up and have put my foot down and said that no one would be getting any legs or wings for that matter. And they may not even be allowed to be in this work in progress anymore… What do you think? A bit harsh? xxx

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New Year 2021

Happy New Year Everybody! How are you? It’s only 3.30 but the day’s dimmer switch is already being twiddled as I write this. Lamp-lighting time. Two things today the first being I have now put a few Betty Pepper 2021 calendars on the lovely madebyhandonline.com which is good for anyone who wanted payment options other than Paypal. And second, along with the calendars this piece of work, and it is a piece of work in both senses, is also now online. Living on the Edge 128, Street View 8…

For a small street this one is certainly very vocal. The griping began because, unlike other printer trays before it, this one is smaller and the houses felt deprived. As time went on I had complaints, some in writing, about a show off green roof, about the distance from the post box being too far, about the abandoned car, about the permafrost on the trees, the list goes on… Added to this there has been almost non-stop insult shouting and a curious, high pitched, sing-song voice repeating everything everyone else says. I may need help… xxx

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Living on the Edge 121; The Sound of Julie…

Oh Hello, are you there? Happy in-betweeny-day. One of the things I love about Christmas is watching the old films showing on the telly whilst doing a bit of knitting (only if it’s the easy sort though. I can’t be knitting AND purling) It seems the little houses are fans too. But some are not… Living on the Edge 121; The Sound of Julie…

Christopher gazed upwards in wonder. The thick fog had parted slightly and he could see wild geese flying with the moon on their wings. It was like watching a fairy tale. He glanced sideways and hoped that the fog would close in before Julie saw them too and started to sing about her favourite things again. She’d only just shut up about the brown paper packages he’d sent to his aunt earlier that week… xxx

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Christmas Wishes 2020

Hello Everybody. Well, we’ve nearly made it to the end of 2020. We’ve had our worlds turned on their heads and our hearts broken. I for one will be glad to close the door on it but, just before I do, I wanted to send one last post out into it… I want to thank you all for your likes, shares, messages, purchases and for cheering me on and keeping me going through the thick, sticky days. It is wonderful to have you with me. Thank you.

And so, with the key in my hand and the little houses almost at peace with one another for once, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. Oh and Marcus (house on the right) would like it to be known that he doesn’t wish to be remembered wearing this hat… xxx

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Living on the Edge 123; the Snow Globe…

Good Afternoon Everybody, how are you faring? There are now only a few Betty Pepper 2021 calendars left, if you are looking for a last minute gift, available in the shop Meanwhile, amidst all the crazy Christmas crush, a quiet little scene has been released and is now residing in the beautiful pages of madebyhandonline.com Living on the Edge 123; the Snow Globe…

There is a magic in snow. A quiet, stilling, yet fleeting magic. Battenburg cake aside snow was Meredith’s absolute favourite thing. She loved walking through the wonderland it created and the feeling that she was the first being to try out the newly cleaned world. It was like a fresh start. Benny wasn’t quite as keen but he enjoyed his walks with his best friend more than anything in the whole wide world… xxx

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Advent 2020…

Good evening Everybody, how are you doing? It’s that time of year again when our village does its advent window countdown. I am number 12 so tonight I can share my offering with you. Have a lovely weekend and I will see you next week… xxx

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Living on the Edge 119; the Age of Reason…

Hello Everybody, happy Thursday. There are only a few calendars left now over in the shop if you were hoping for one and thank you to everybody who has already bought one. I am trying to enjoy the season, once those advent windows start opening there’s no stopping them. It seems to be going very quickly this year, although I’m sure if you are six this is not the case. Whilst over on the beautiful pages of madebyhandonline a grand lady who has seen eons of Christmases come and go has other concerns… Living on the Edge 119; the Age of Reason…

Theodora peered through her grimy windows and the mist to the new houses across the square. With their fresh paint and tidy little courtyards they looked nigh on perfect. That was how I used to be a few centuries ago she thought and sighed. She was feeling apprehensive as, that afternoon, she was due to see a specialist about her current condition and the cracks that were beginning to show. Previously fillers had been suggested along with the possibility of a facelift and underpinning. Large works. Extensive treatments. It wasn’t so much that she minded getting old, it was all just getting a bit expensive… xxx

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Living on the Edge 118; Wavelength

Well good morning Everybody, how are you? First I wanted to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has already bought a Betty Pepper 2021 calendar: THANK YOU! There are still a few left in my shop if anyone is looking for a Christmas present or a gift to cheer themselves up maybe – it’s allowed…

Also today a bit of high drama; a recent commission for an adventurer, Living on the Edge 118; Wavelength…

When Nellie had asked him if he fancied going on a cruise Elijah had jumped at the chance. He had imagined sunning himself on a steamer chair, drinking Long Island iced tea and learning exactly what quoits were. But this was not the holiday he had imagined. He was, in fact, crewing. He had hoisted the main sail and was now sailing headlong into a hurricane. Already the Captain had him in the ship’s logbook as ‘under close observation’ but he was yet to discover that half an hour earlier somehow, Elijah had managed to snag the lighthouse from the last port on his fishing line. On the shore a penguin, just back from his morning swim, looked on and wondered if the sea was going to lose her patience… xxx

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And so begineth December…

Hello Everybody. Did you see that? December just sneaked in thinking we wouldn’t notice but there it is as plain as day. I thought I might mark it by doing a little photoshoot with these fellas who were quietly reading in the corner. After an incredible amount of moaning I managed to persuade them outside and take a few pictures until it started to rain again and I thought it was fair enough to cease snapping and to rush back inside. They are back in the corner sulking now and mumbling about interrupted trains of thought. I have apologised but to no avail. Happy December… xxx

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Living on the Edge 114; the North Wind Doth Blow…

Hello Everybody and a warm welcome to a whirring Wednesday. It’s the most industrious time of the year. At least it is in my little workshop, if only I had elves helping me… The little houses have been lining up for photoshoots (involving much shoving, limelight stealing and a whole lot of noise of course) and getting organised to go away and worrying about last posting dates. I have had to look these up to try and reassure them… Here’s the link to what I found. So if you are still wanting a 2021 Betty Pepper calendar or piece for Christmas and you’re far away now might be the time to order …

With other worries on her mind ‘Living on the Edge 114; the North Wind Doth Blow’ has already left the building and headed to Byard Art…

When the north wind blew across the peninsula like this Clifford and Wendy knew it meant only one thing; the snows were coming. They pulled their roofs down over their windows and held on for dear life. Wendy gently hummed in an attempt to keep herself calm whilst she looked for her green eyeshadow, it was more flattering in winter light than the blue. She bore the brunt of the weather even though she was smaller than Clifford and the storm was forecast to go on for yet three more days. Still. What was three days of battering winds when your view was second to none?… xxx