The Happy Land of Bears on Bicycles...

Just a bear on a bicycle...

Hello there, and may life be treating you well, wherever you are.

This week,  I found myself yearning for something more. A deeper, cuter, and more profound level of escape. And I found it in a brilliant new course run by the illustrator Lisa Glanz.

"Drawn to Whimsy" has reminded me that, some time ago, I used to draw lots of whimsical animals, like this one, or these marmots.

The Drawn to Whimsy workbook (besides being a permission slip to spend extra time in the happy land of bears on bicycles) has given me just the encouragement and structure I needed to approach it all in a more unified way. As well as *the* cutest course notes I've ever encountered.

And a whimsical whale with a suitcase.

So both the drawings you see on this page are informal coursework and work-in-progress, rather than having any final outcome or destination as yet. (And no, I'm not an affiliate for Lisa's course-just enthusiastic about it).

Also, yes, the flowers will return (and/or join the animals...). But in February here, the fastest route to a world of whimsy, just for now, has been these cuties and their friends. I hope you've enjoyed it too, and as ever, thanks so much for being here.

More soon.

PS. Update on June 4th 2026: The cute bear at the top of this post has found his niche: on a Father's Day Card...

Cute Bear on A Bicycle With Balloons Father's Day Card
by BoundingSquirrel

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Happy Harebells...And (Sort-Of) Christmas in July...

"Happy Harebells" sketch...

Hello there, and I hope you are thriving in your corner of the world.

This week's art and designs are such a mixed bag, that, like football (soccer!) they are a game of two halves.

First came this sketch of harebell flowers, that then made its way onto a really dear friend's birthday card. (I think she might actually be a newsletter reader too, so this comes with even more good wishes. And speaking directly to that person for just a second, no, I won't put this on anything for sale until you've had loads of time to enjoy it, and maybe not even then. Thank you for being you. ;-)).

Then there is/was... the "Christmas in July" situation...

And just like that, here we are again. The point in the year that astounds any sane person. Namely, that July is the traditional time in which artists and designers are supposed to prepare designs so that they are available/algorithm noted etc, in time for Christmas or pre-Christmas purchases.

And yes, I'm aware that it's the very last day of July, as am typing this.

In truth, I just couldn't face even trying to get festive in the midst of summer weather (and ooh, you know, the state of the world, etc).

But then some little robins and berries just made their way into some art the other week. And what do you know? That snowy robin led to an entire collection of designs.

I hasten to add, they are still very much a "work in progress".

But if you'd like a quick peek at the collection in its rough form, here's a photo.

Thanks to Jim for this pic, who came into our bedroom
when I was trying to get this into a photo, and took it for me.

So please watch this space, a little later in the year. (Update on September 10th 2025- the printable papers are for sale here, and the full collection on fabrics and wallpaper at Spoonflower here).

And with that, I'll leave you to your day (and huge thanks for reading down this far).

The next instalment might not be for a couple of weeks or so, as there is a huge amount still to do, not only for this collection, but also on items that'll be fun for you much sooner.

But there will be...

More soon.
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The Flowers Are Coming...(Work-In-Progress)...

Wild Tulip Sketches: Work-in-Progress

Hello there

How are you doing? Up here in the northern hemisphere at least (for I know I have other readers too-hello, and I see you...and can you send some sun, please?!) it feels as if things have been rather grey and cold for a looong time, as I type this.

But in this post, am doing my best to remind both you and myself that the flowers will be here soon.

The first signs of it are in the flower and leaf buds on some branches...

(OK, I exaggerated their progress somewhat in this Daphne bush sprig, but you get the idea...)

"Sprig of Daphne Flowers"

All of which is to say, spring will be arriving soon (rather like an upcoming collection, of which these are my some of my first, tentative, ideas). 

So far, it's mostly my wanting to evoke that *feeling* of walking around a garden in spring, when all the buds are beginning to burst into life, a gentle breeze is blowing, and the first warm sun begins to kiss your face again...

If that sounds good to you, stay tuned to see what becomes of these flowers, and in the meantime, as ever, thanks so much for being here, and for reading down this far.

More soon.

PS. Update on Feb 27th 2025: If you want to see how the final mini-collection turned out, tap or click to this post...

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Learning New Apps-and Valentine Work in Progress

Valentine card front work-in-progress...

Hello there

If you've just looked at this Valentine-themed image and thought, "Surely the year can't be going *that* fast," then, if you're reading this close to its posting date, I have good news for you. You can relax, it really *is* only January...

But that also means that I need to get a move on with a fresh clutch of Valentine's ideas for crafters (though if you need one right this second, the designs from previous years are also here and here).

Everything's going well, (despite my gradual move to an entirely new set of design apps, of which much more in a later post). The move will eventually mean that I can give you much better designs, much faster.

Right this second though, the learning curve is steep, and so designs are appearing more slowly. So, rather than toughing everything out, I thought it best to 'fess this up to you, show you that there *are* going to be brighter and more beautiful designs soon...and dare to post a, "work-in-progress" picture...

If it's whetted your appetite though, please check back in my Craftsuprint store in a few days, and this one should be finished and up for sale. Update on 23/01/25: the completed design is available here.

In the meantime, hope all's well with you, and thanks *so* much for being here, and for reading down this far.

More soon

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Violets Aren't Blue...

"Stripey Violets"

It's been "one of those weeks," for sooo many people, it seems,  am almost afraid to ask you how you are.

Here, The Computer Man and I are, ourselves, fine and very, very grateful for that.

It's just that, not having hearts of stone, it's hard to see others around in bother that you can do nothing to stop, prevent, or allay.

And so...

And so, in the scale of things, if this week's post is "just a pattern" (and, somehow,  a more sombre one than I was intending) it hardly seems to matter. Especially as as have always striven to be honest here, as elsewhere.

I don't know yet what will become of this one, if anything. But thought you might like to see it anyway. Will keep you posted on what happens to it.

Violets aren't blue...

And though I was bemoaning not having a "traditional," cheery red/white/pink valentine type post for you...It's just struck me that violets are, in their way, very much a Valentiney thing.

Even if, having watercoloured them myself now, I can absolutely confirm, they are purple (or purpley mauve, anyway), and *not* the blue of the rhyme.

Hope that all is, at least, very well with you and yours.

More soon.

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Winter Wildlife Designs: Work in Progress

Winter Wildlife Work in Progress,
by Clare Walker, BoundingSquirrel.Com

Hello there, and hope you're doing OK out there.

This week's post is a short one...And one of the, "this is how it really is", variety.

In truly organised design-land, I'd now be presenting you with all of this year's winter designs (which, I'd probably have finished, oh, around last Christmas sometime, at the latest :-) ).

Please understand, I have the greatest respect for people who can work like that...I'm just not one of them.

Instead, my head, and the PC, is still full of mostly finished wildlife paintings, almost-there motifs, lots of backgrounds, and a stag who currently can't quite decide whether he wants to be here for this year or not.

So, I thought I'd 'fess up to the reality of that in this post (as well as giving you a sneak peek of at some of the cute creatures who've made an appearance so far).

I'm going straight back into into now, but am still wishing you a good week.

In haste-but thank you so much  for checking in here.

More soon.

PS. If you are looking for winter wildlife designs right this minute, how about these birds, or cute winter  mice on a printable for crafters?

PPS and update: You can see what became of at least two of these creatures, here

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Day 68: "Cosy Cartoon Pattern," Stage One Sketches (Work in Progress)

 Remember a while ago I promised honesty about how long things take? Well, here it is again.

This is just a collection of drawings and sketches  of outline shapes and ideas. They're for a possible pattern featuring cosy motifs, but in a cartoon style. Which is all I can offer up today, as have also got some other projects going on that are still under wraps.

Watch this space. More tomorrow.

Day 24's Sketch: Work-in Progress "Punny Dog" Number 2-"Border Collie.."

 

This is work in progress-it still doesn't look in the least like it does in my head (!). But in the interests of keeping up with the challenge, am posting the concept of this now, to polish later.

Hope you're having a great weekend. 

Day 8: Work in Progress, and Why I'm Daring to Show How Things Really Are...

 

Today's sketch is just the start of a new pattern: an outline of the kind of floral motifs you might find in an herbaceous border or cottage garden.

Social media is so full of perfection that I hesitated before posting this...It is work in progress, and by definition, absolutely imperfect.

But then I figured, all that perfection does have a tendency to lead all of us to suppose that lovely things can just happen, and take no time at all.

Sometimes, occasionally, this is true, even for me. 

But my truth is that these things take time, and sometimes even need to be left (shock, horror) for a few *days* to be considered, before forward motion takes place. And the process is messy, non-linear, and not necessarily even a day-by-day affair. Some days involve more "everyday life" than others.

So I decided to take the pressure off myself (and maybe you too, if you're reading this) and post what's actually happening each day for the rest of this experiment.

The way forward for now

Yes, I'm sticking to the plan, and will be posting daily updates for the remaining days of the 100 planned.

But not every design-maybe not even most can be finished in a day. And to get them to a standard I'm even vaguely happy with, they most often take at least two days.

So, I intend to post what actually happens at each stage and day instead.

This way, you'll get to see what actually happens, the process, and progress (or lack thereof) as well as finished results. More truth, less perfection...but maybe more fun too?

More tomorrow.

Update from Day 14 of this challenge: Just look what those little floral sketches turned into...

Daily Illustration #36: Work-in-Progress Mice Sketch

Just can't do these mice justice in the time I have for art today. So it's sketch today as a work-in-progress offering today...and colour tomorrow.



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Daily Illustration DayNine: Cakes! (Work in Progress)

Eventually, these cakes may make a pattern if twizzled around (so no background for now). They were inspired by the (far more awesome-and*real*) cakes of the wonderful (and encouraging) Heidi Guerin Bristow at Cherry on the Cake.

Enjoy-and I'd urge you to go and drool over Heidi's cakes too.












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Dolphin Digital Painting:Work in Progress

If you love dolphins (and who doesn't?) take a look at this work-in- progress digital painting of a dolphin.

He or she is based on the bottle-nosed dolphins we saw on one of the best days ever a few years ago, dolphin watching in a boat off the Portuguese coast. This dolphin is "in progress" because he's destined to be part of a larger project I hope to be able to tell you more about in a few weeks.

Until then (and after!)...enjoy.

PS. Seems I still prefer to paint and draw slowly. Much as all that "fast and loose idea" is appealing, it seems things still work best when something happens over at least a couple of days.

Which do you prefer in general: painting/seeing paintings produced slowly or quickly? Do leave a comment and let us know. Thanks!