How to make background color & mirror reflection?

[yesme]

Hi, newbie here. Hope someone could help me about this simple problem but it is the worst problem for me. huhu

I have successfully created sunburst but I cannot do the background color. Tension! Confused! Help me please. Show me to color my background image and how to make it gradient background.
[I am using Adobe Illustrator CS3]

One more, how to make mirror reflection like this:



Help me pleaseee..

[stiney51]

The easiest way I use to make a reflection is:
1.copy the text layer
2.take the new layer and move it below the existing layer
3.edit>transform>Flip Vertical
4. add a layer mask to the flipped text
5.use the gradient tool on the mask (with the default white foreground/black background) and drag from the top of the letters down.

you can play with the mask a bit or change the opacity of the mirrored text to get the results that look best to you.