Tutorial: Sunburst state map (DIY wall decor)

Hello friends! It is Nathalie here today sharing a photo tutorial of the wall hanging I created after I fell in love with this print on Etsy. I decided to try and make my own version with the February kit, and here is the result:

You can do it for any state (or country) and with any papers you like!
Supplies:
- 2 sheets of cardstock (one for the sunbursts, one for the background)
- 1 sheet of patterned paper
- 1 small scrap of paper for the heart
- a printer to print the map
- scissors or craft knife
- a pencil
- a ruler
- one pop dot
- a frame

1/ First, I found the outline of the state to California. The US50.com has printable outlines of all the states. I printed mine slightly smaller on printer paper so that it will fit into my matted frame (5x7), my map ended up being roughly 6.5x4 inches:

2/ Cut a heart (either by hand, with a punch or die-cutting machine) that will go where your city/home is then, with a pencil and a ruler, draw sunbursts starting from the heart. You might have to play a little with your design until you are happy with it:

3/ Cut out the whole state (I realize it will be easier for some state than others!):

4/ Then cut each individual sunburst (I was careful to put them back in their original order). Also notice that I didn't worry too much about the part under the heart as it will be covered by it in the end.

5/ Take each sunburst, one at a time, and temporarily glue them to the cardstock or the patterned paper (alternating them) in order to trace them and cut them (then discard the printer paper):

6/ Here they are, all cut out and placed back in their original spots on top of the cardstock I selected for my background:

7/ Glue them tightly close to each other to form the original map. Place the heart on a pop dot and adhere:

8/ Place in a frame and voila!

As always, if you give this tutorial a try and have any questions, I will be happy to answer them in the comment section. Have fun!