i did one with angled changes of fabric in the border. but i had a pattern.
usually you just have to worry about the area where you want your blks to continue into the border. make a "block" for the border and add border fabric above and below that.
oh i see the photo. yes those circles look appliqued on, but the one above with the flowers look like the flowers were fussy cut and fused on. sort of broderie purse style.