02 June, 2026

Circles

Hello, and welcome to the current challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog! The challenge has is in full swing already, but my traditional delay has a very untraditional reason this time: my great aunt has decided to spoil me with a getaway of my choice, and I spent some wonderful days in northern Spain. Yes, it was quite a challenge, but since it was an organized tour I didn't need to worry about anything. I did rest a lot in between our stops, as well as during the transits, but I could also fill my heart and soul with loads of positive memories... enjoy land- and seascapes... get to know lots of lovely cities and lots of yummi food, and even dip my toes into the ocean every now and then. 

For my DT inspiration, I will therefore present a project I have created a while ago in one of my therapy sessions. Even though it's full of autumn vibes, it was made in spring, but as it usually goes with my crafting, I get stuck on an image or two and the rest just happens somehow. 
This time, it was the image of a lady sitting by the lake that caught my eyes. I decided to cut the motif from a magazine and save it in my stash, and pair it up with something of similar colour/atmosphere. 
To be precise, I cut some more circles with autumn motifs, but I didn't really know how to put them into use. I guess I just wanted to get used to my (currently) favourite tool, a circular cutter. I still have to get used to it, and I do usually mess up my circles towards the end when the paper slips away, but that't just one more reason to practise cutting circles (and arranging them in a way those mistakes can't be seen, lol). 
Then, in one of my crafting sessions, I went through a bunch of new magazines, and I found exactly what I was looking for: many different vintage botanical prints, from which I could pick motifs to embellish my collage. 
At first, I connected the circles. Unlike originally planned, the lady by the lake ended up on the bottom part of the trio. Under her, I placed a log of wood, which I decorated with a couple of pine cones. It almost makes it look like the girl is hiding behind some bushes. 
Then, I took a piece of dark green patterned paper from my stash - it was a leftover from another project, but it turned out I could use it up here. I liked the idea of it, because those tiny leaves look so pretty and I think it would be a shame to throw them away. Somehow, it also turned out that the circle I once cut from said patterned paper created a wonderful negative that would now allign nicely with the circles I used this time. I wondered whether I should fill the white halo between the three circles and the pattern in the background, but I decided against it. Instead, I connected the floral paper with my collage by using other elements: a yellow butterfly on top, and a daisy on the bottom. 
To complete my project, I added more butterflies: one sits atop some oak leaves and comes from the same magazine as the majority of my elements, and the other one is a sticker from my stash. I deliberately placed it in a way that would make the butterfly stand out from my art journal, which means it can double as some sort of bookmark. 
Looking back now, I would probably change the arrangement of circles: the heavy wooden pattern to the bottom, the lady by the lake to the right, and the dry foliage on the top left. I think it would make more sense this way, but I'm not completely unhappy with how this looks either. 

challenges: 
a place to start: ATG with optional twist "ATG but a card"
as you like it: favourite season (I love the transitions between seasons actually, especially late spring/early summer, but even more so, late summer/early fall. I just love those warm days with colourful leafs and wonderful reflections on the water! Even though the early mornings might be cold already, there will be plenty of sunshine during the day - but without the unbearable summer heat. It's those days that allow you to layer your clothes, which leads to many combinations you'll be unable to wear otherwise. I love the autumn colours and the magical light, both of which makes up for the fact that the days are getting shorter.)
card free zone: ATG but a card
crafty catz: ATG
love to craft: ATG 
moving along with the times: favourite stamp, die or tool (circular cutter)
try it on tuesday: going round in circles

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