Designer Tutorials: Creating Sunburst Backgrounds

Welcome back for our second day of sharing some simple tutorials from some of our design team members. I love when I see some of our designers re-creating a fun technique or design on several projects, yet each time it still looks fresh and new. So I asked a few designers to put together tutorials, to show us just how easy it is to get similiar looks for our own projects!

"Summer Memories", by Laura Vegas.

I have made a few layouts and cards using partial sunbursts, but this was the first layout that I had made using a full page sunburst. I love the look of the sunburst background, and thought I would create the look of a second "layout" on top of the fun background, with my photo and journaling all together on a 9x9 piece of cardstock. Creating a sunburst background takes a little bit of time, but the resulting look is well worth it! Here's a little tutorial on how to create this look.

Step 1: For a full page sunburst background, you will want to start with a spare sheet of 12x12 cardstock. You will want to trace a circle in the area that you want the sunburst to "burst" out from. I traced my circle in the lower right section of the page.

Step 2: Using a ruler, or a straight edge, you will then draw lines from the circle all the way out to the edge of the paper. These do not have to be evenly spaced and there is really no wrong or right way to do this step. I usually start with the corner lines, and then work my way in.

I only trace my lines to the edge of my circle, since I don't cut my pieces to fit all the way together when they meet in that center point. I used to cut them all the way, but I always seemed to have ends overlapping and bulking up. I know that I will place something over that center point, so I'm ok with there being an empty space in that area.

Step 3: Once your lines all drawn out the way you want them, you will want to number the pieces so that you know the order they go in. Start in one corner, and number them going in a clockwise order. This is much easier then trying to fit them together later. Once they're numbered, you will want to cut all of the pieces apart.

You can see that I have cut off the ends, where the pieces meet in that center point. I will be placing something over this area of my layout, so know one needs to know my "bursts" didn't go all the way in.

Step 4: Start selecting your patterned paper and/or cardstock that you will use for each piece.

Step 5: For each "burst", you will want to flip over the patterned paper/cardstock that you chose, and lightly adhere the numbered template piece, number side down. By adhering the template piece to the BACK of your chosen paper, you don't have to worry about any leftover adhesive showing. But you have to remember to also flip the template piece over, and adhered it number side down, so that once you cut your piece and turn it over, your "burst" will be going in the right direction.

Step 6: As you trim each "burst", place it in the appropiate spot on your page. I use a sheet of cardstock to built the sunburst on, and adhere all of the pieces directly to it.

To adhere your "bursts", start with the corner pieces, and adhere them first. Then work your way in with the rest of the pieces. Don't worry if a piece or two have to overlap slightly. It's hard to get them cut so that they match up perfectly.

Step 7: If desired, you can machine stitch along the outside edges of each "burst", or even draw stitches with a pen. Or you can leave them just the way they are. Either way works!

Step 8: Make sure and SAVE your template pieces that you cut out from cardstock, so that you can use them over and over on additional layouts ;)

Supplies:
Sunshine & Happiness: Popsicle Kisses, Happy Clouds, Borders, Cute Cuts, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Designer Tape: Yellow Chevron, Teal Stripe; Button Market: Fruit Punch, Aqua Flowers, Pickle Squares, Neutrals Mix

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“Destination Happiness”, by Loredana Buccaria.

Hi everyone! This is one of the most fun pages I have ever created with the amazing products of Bella Blvd! I love to mix many of the different collections and kinds of products. Finally I have created a background with a sunburst. I couldn't wait to do it. I have drawn it on a white sheet of paper and signed each part with a number in the way to know the sequence of the different pieces of paper. After I have chosen many different patterned papers and cut the pieces from each of them. Simply glue them on the white card stock. I have added the date and the name of the place in the picture and added many journaling spots as well. I played with tiny details as always I do and tada! What do you think? Enjoy!

Supplies:
All Inclusive: Bookin' On The Beach; Sunshine & Happiness: Popsicle Kisses, Cute Cuts, Happy Clouds, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Baby Girl: Daddy's Girl, Cute Cuts; Spring Flings & Easter Things: Mom's Bouquet; Flags: Baby Boy; Crochet Flowers: Dahlia; High Five Alpha Stickers: Pink-Red

Comments

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Thanks for the awesome tips on how to create sunbursts!!! I haven't attempted this one yet! Both lo's are just GORGEOUS!!! I love them!!!!!

[Cheryl]

Thank you! Every time I see those layouts I wait for a tutorial but have never found one. Guess what I'm doing today???

[kazoulis]

I would never think to number the pieces! and it saves time to assemble them together.

[Sara Andrews]

Guess what I've been working on for THREE days? And you make it look SO easy Laura!! Thanks!

[Becky Williams]

Great tutorial and such a cute page, Laura!

[Janet]

Okay- you have officially pushed me to the DO IT column. You make it looks so easy, and your layout is GORGEOUS. Love, love all the bright, happy colors of papers you choose. Again- right into my FAV file.
I am SO doing this technique soon!
Thanks Laura! And Loredana layout is great for showing it done on a small scale. Love it!

[Marylou Williams]

Thank you for sharing this tip/tutorial! Beautiful layouts too!

[CJb]

So cool! Thanks for the super easy step-by-step!

[Fleur Smith]

Love the sun ray thanks for the tutorial :)

[Mendi Yoshikawa]

Cool Layouts!!! I LOVE making these starburst patterns and your turned out gorgeous with all these soft prints! :)

[Kathy Martin]

LOVE the sunburst technique! Very cool! I keep meaning to try it!!! :)

[Dorina D]

Thanks for the great tutorials. The sunburst is so fun.

[jilliene isaacs]

Thank you for the tutorial! I love sunburst also. I'm going to make one tomorrow!

[stacie]

Love the tutorial! Much easier than my one attempt with creating a sunburst.

[Tiffany Hood]

Great tutorial! I love doing sunbursts, and I do mine this way.