i want no world.

Program(s)+Version: Adobe Photoshop CS3
Involves: Levels, Selective Colour, Hue/Saturation, Brightness/Contrast, Colour Balance, (Various Layer Modes), [Various Filters], Textures, Text
Translatable? Theoretically, everything can be done in another program that provides these options.
Steps: Several. It depends on the result you're seeking.
Difficulty: It ranges in difficulty from intermediate to advanced -- basic skills are necessary.

NOTE: This is not a process that is 'set in stone.' While many of the steps you see here are applicable to a diverse set of images, I would not advise always plugging in the precise values you encounter here. (Alas, every base image is indeed different, and the results you obtains will be too!)

WARNING(S): Image-heavy. Sorry, dial-up users. Also, be patient! A lot of the changes are subtle.
Icons are such a pain, huh? :D 

start -   finish - / /
start - finish -
start >  finish - /
start > finish -

( everything ) Well, that's really it! Finally, I know.
This was my first-ever icon tutorial, and I am by no means an expert. {Even so, do not repost without permission, or claim as your own.} Comments and constructive criticism are greatly welcomed and appreciated. If you're confused, please don't hesitate to ask questions (I shall do my best to answer them). For anyone who is interested in learning more, I would suggest paying a visit to good_tutorial, as they have an astoundingly-wonderful collection of -- erm -- good tutorials there.

Love,
*doesn't want to see a mohawk for a while*

Post Script -- ...Stupid LJ-cut. Fixing now.
 

Eh, eh? 
Whaddaya say?
(Okay, okay.)

So I want to have a contest for the site header. Visitor involvement, ftw? <3
...Or let it be said that I'm a lazy, hard-to-satisfy person who doesn't like the little header thing she made?
Uhhhhmmmm, eeeerrrrrr~
>______<

Love,
(the person whose heartrate goes up more when the problem is a bug to squish versus a mini car crash)

Post Script -- I'll probably put up some "previews" of the graphics here at some point. Since there's no one looking, it totally like, like ain't gonna be no spoiler, maaaan. xD