The Shadow4 clock is made using bitmaps. Scaling make it blurry. If you have a large resolution try using the clock in here:
www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=42&func=view&catid=9&id=13329&limit=6&limitstart=18
You can change the font size and make it bigger without any blur. Then resize the clock window (multiple colors available).
"grow upwards" is mostly for event and todo list. The window moves up every time a new event is added to the list and moves down when removed.