Hello Monday -- Sunburst Tutorial

Creating a Sunburst Background

I tried a few methods and ultimately developed my own method that provides the precision that my perfectionist nature loves.

To begin, gather the following supplies

1 12x12 piece of chipboard

2.5 inch circle punch

1 piece of scrap paper, can be anything that you can punch a 2 inch circle from

removeable adhesive

ruler

fine black sharpie marker

Step 1 : punch a circle from the scrap paper.  Apply a small amount of adhesive to the back of the circle then place gently adhere it to the spot on your chipboard from which you’d like the rays to radiate.  Trace the circle with the marker.

Step 2: Find the center of the circle by measuring from the edge 1.5 inches in both directions and marking an X.  Then draw lines to cut out one quarter of the circle.  Place the quarter back into the outline and mark the center with a black dot.  You can now complete the rays accurately using your ruler.

Step 3: Choose the first angle and draw a line, using the ruler to keep it straight, between the edge of the circle and the edge of the paper.

Note: I chose not to make my angle into the point because I feel it gives a more interesting piece but you could certainly go right into the corner of the square if you prefer.

Step 4: Continue marking rays all the way around your chipboard.  You can space them according to your preferences but remember that the smaller the space the smaller the cuts you’ll need to make later on.

Step 5: Number each piece at the wide end of the slice.

Step 6: Cut the pieces out.  I use my rotary cutter, self healing mat and transparent ruler for easy and precision but you can choose the method that you prefer.

Step 7:  Choose your papers, use the templates to draw lines on the back side of your paper and cut out.

Step 8: Cut out the pieces and place them on your background using a light adhesive

Step 9: Sew pieces down, add layers of vellum if desired.

Note: If you don’t want a full 12 inch backround, you can cut it down to whatever size you prefer, or make another set of templates with the size you’d like to use. 

Make sure to keep your templates on hand for future use!

Here is my final layout. 

Metallic gold embossing is my new favorite thing!

Supplies for the layout (Studio Calico kit, Roller Rink, Cardstock: Bazzil Basics, Patterned Paper: (Theresa Collins, Basic Grey, American Crafts, Echo Park Pebbles, MME) Washi Tape (Freckled Fawn, 7 Gypsies) Wood Veneer (Sodalicious), Stamps: Studio Calico, Stickers (American Crafts, Tim Holtz) Vellum Die Cuts: Studio Calico Pearls: MME, Alpha Stickers: Basic Grey, Embossing Powder: American Crafts, Brads: MME, Sequins: Studio Calico, Twine: Maya Road, Mist: Heidi Swapp, 

Hope your having an inspired week!

Silhouette Shape Customization

If you are like me, you like to customize everything so that it fits your particular needs.  Today, I'm sharing a very quick tutorial for one way which I like to edit the Silhouette shapes that I purchase in their online store.

There are other ways in which this can be done but this is how I typically do it.

I am demonstrating using the shape that I used for my Bingo layout shared yesterday.  The Bingo Card!

Let me know if you have any additional questions about this and I'll do the best I can to answer them!

Have a beautiful day!

Paper Bag Album Tutorial

Hello friends!  Hope you're having a wonderful day as you get into the swing of this new year.

I've gotten a few requests for a paper bag album tutorial so that is the focus of today's post.  I want you to know that I always read every single comment and take note of the requests.  I try to respond to what you're asking for, it just may take me a bit, but I'll always try to share what you're looking for!  So keep those requests coming.

Now, for the tutorial:

I started with some simple flat style paper bags.  I requested them from a retailer I frequent and recommend you might try the same.  Always offer to pay for them as they cost the retailer.  In my case, I was blessed and they were 'donated' to my cause, but it wasn't what I was expecting.

The bags I chose were 8.25 inches by 5 inches and had the serrated edges on them.  I wanted to retain that look, so rather than cut the serrated edge, I cut the closed edge to aquire the size I wanted.  Just cut off how ever much you want to get the size you need.  In my case, I cut it down to 6.25 inches.

That leaves me with an open ended bag on both ends which is fine if you are just using it to be a page.  However, if you want to be able to create a pocket, then you need to close that end off.

I chose to cut a bit of patterned paper to help me accomplish this purpose.  Cut a strip 3 inches by 5 inches. Score it down the middle.  Add adhesive to each side.  Adhere to to the end of the bag with the cut, folding over and adhering to the other side as well.  Use a bone folder to get a sharp crease.

Next, I cut strips of pattern paper 12 x 5, scored down the middle and folded them over for the remaining pages.  I cut the holes in the edge after it was folded over and simply stacked the pages and inserted binder rings.








Next, I used my 7 Gypsies Binderie to make holds for binding rings.  I centered the page on the Binderie and simple punched the two holds.  Limiting the number of holes eliminates there being a lot of issue with avoiding the punched holes in the rest of the design process.




After I did that it looked like this.





Then you just need to decorate to your hearts content!  If you make one, please share a link with me so I can check it out!