News & Updates from Clare Walker-BoundingSquirrel · Page 11
Take a look at the box in the picture. At first glance, it`s just full of papers.
But when you look again, you realise it`s actually a collection of letters, newspaper reports, photos, medals, and even sketches...from long-dead family members, stretching back more than 150 years.I felt incredibly privileged to be given this recently, and also, honestly, a little scared.
I`ve done some family history research before. And, just like on TV, I found out first-hand it can unleash mayhem and joy in equal parts. So who knows what the box will bring into our family`s modern life?
Certainly, therell be a winter looking at a *lot* of paper (the box is bigger than it might seem in the photo).
And if all else fails on the genealogy front, with a design hat on, though I`ve never used vintage ephemera in my designs before now...that might all be about to change.
Watch this space...
This peacock lives in Holland Park, West London. Its a bit of a trip from where we are, but we go every year, in the hope of catching his courtship season, and hence, that elusive tail fanning.
This year, we obviously missed it completely, as the poor bird was moulting.
Besieged by visitors (including us) he sat, grumpily determined not to suffer the embarrassment of even walking around without full feathers.
But Holland Park is still an inspiring visual treat. Think whimsically-trimmed spiral trees, life-size chess pieces, roses, a Japanese water garden, and even wild woodland, and you get the idea.
And as for seeing the peacock in all his glory...Well, we`ll just have to go back again next year...
This week, it`s time for huge `thank yous`.The first one is to my lovely hubby.
In the face of a load of other journeys, commitments and running around, he still managed to remember our anniversary, ...topping things off with the surprise flowers in the picture, and the comment, `I thought you`d enjoy drawing these flowers, `cos they`re more unusual than the ones I usually get.` (What more support could a designer ask for...?
And I`m grateful for it every. single. day).The point of my writing about this is much wider though.
It struck me then that whilst we all *think* we`re all beavering away on our own, in fact, its only possible because of others: be they understanding friends and family, loyal pets, internet buddies, website staff and of course, every lovely person who buys, visits, shares and/or makes our wares.
And someone who s still just months into CUP, rather than years, that`s my second, even bigger thank you.
This week, I`m feeling just so, so, grateful. We spent time with much-loved family members. As a huge bonus, their gardens were stunning (this photo is just a tiny sample...) *and* we`d chosen to go there over a Bank Holiday weekend that was actually sunny.
What are the chances?
The only issue is that with all of this lounging around amongst flowers, I didnt get so much actual drawing done.But with so much inspiration inside my head and the camera, if you`ll excuse me, it`s probably time to set that straight, and get back to the pen, screen and tablet...
If you looked at this sunflowers, wrapped around wooden signs, near peaceful woodland, a pond and lush vegetation, where might you think I`d found it?Your first guess (unless you already know the place from the sign) probably wouldn`t be Next to Arsenals Football ground.But in fact, Gillespie Park ( a small 3.4 hectare nature reserve) is so close to the Emirates Stadium that the Park has to close on match days, to protect it`s surprisingly large range of butterflies, birds, mammals, frogs and other wildlife.I believe it was originally an old railway storage siding.
But I prefer it as a haven for wildlife and inspiration in the city.