Recently I've been loving the color block stamping, so I had to give it a try. And yes, I know it looks like the rooster is laying eggs (there was no hen stamp). 
For the very "splashy" modern background I used a Technique Junkies' method called Bingo Blast. But I substituted the new Distress Stains, for the bingo markers! Same effect but in the dusty, rusty colors of the old West. (I think it turned out very cool!)
Stamps: Oxford Impressions COUNTRY GIRL (photo); Stamper's Anonymous ODDS AND ENDS
Ink: Stazon black, Distress Ink Fired Brick
Paper: red cardstock, glossy paper,
Accessories: flower button, twine, Distress Stains (Faded Jeans, Antique Linen, Fired Brick), bottle cap sticker
Technique Junkies: Bingo Blast - April/May 2009
Don't forget to post your Denim, Dust, and Rust (blue, tan, rust) creation to the Gingersnap Blog before June 19th. You'll not only be qualified to be selected as a Ginger Gem, but also have a chance of winning the fabulous "Emboss or Die" CD from Technique Junkies and, for this final challenge, a two-year online only subscription to the fabulous Technique Junkie Newsletter. (That's so AWESOME!)
I created this copper/rust/ginger “bee boy” for my introduction piece. It felt great to be working with Distressed Inks again (I’ve been working with those FAB Amuse Studio inks for the past few weeks but I missed my DIs). It also felt great create a TAG again! :D
Here’s a close up of the bee wing. I used a clear glitter pen on the wings before adding a layer of Crystal Effects. The end result is a sparkly wing.
So happy to be a Ginger!
Last year I did a "Heather" type card - you know that CAS (clean and simple) style that she does so well and I do so poorly?!?! This year I decided I needed to do a ME card. This background paper is Webster's Pages. The tag was a regular sized tag that I cut down. Images from Oxford Impressions.
I bought some natural paper gift card holders at Archiver's. This was embossed with a new folder and my Big Shot. I then sponged Distress Ink colors and smooshed some Stickles on it to give it sparkle. The butterflies were just added to tie to the card.
The butterflies in white on the background paper were just that extra touch. The rest is pretty basic!
I go back and forth. I had sudden inspiration on Monday night and had to jump out of bed (I was reading). I saw a cracked wall with a flower growing in front. My vision came out dead on. But I'm not sure this is CAS. Or maybe it's just not "clean". But "clean" is not about "white" in my thinking.
Modern Grid Bunnies
Chocolate Bunny
Arch Calla Lilies
Bunny Parade - 10 Minute Card
Baby Chicks
Alcohol Ink Handsome Hares - This is a Tim Holtz technique were AI is dripped on glossy paper and then sprayed with canned air to move it around. 
I used my only Oxford Impressions "Christmas" set - WINTER SNOW. I collaged all the smaller stamps in the set as the background and used a Technique Junkies method called Burnished Backgrounds. The background color is a mix of Distressed inks. I stamped the boy on glossy white with Archival ink and heat set it. Then I tore a strip of white card stock and misted with Glimmer Mist. The Marshmallow spray gave the paper a real SPARKLE. But it also needed some Stickles along the edges (wink). Doesn't his expression say - "I just shoveled all this snow and here's another flake..." ??
Finally, I did a crystal snowflake at the embellishment.
Once I figured out what he was doing with that fancy masking sheet....it was a simple matter to use the sticky note I always use and get on with it! After I sponged around Santa (and the mask), I used my aqua painter to give his face some detail.I added the pom-pom ball fringe because it seemed to need some green at the bottom.
I sponged my tag with Shabby Shutters/Scattered Straw and sprinkled water on the tag. Then I stamped holly sprigs in Peeled Paint. And put red Stickles over the holly berries. Then while that was drying I followed Tim's directions for the "parchment" vellum. The little girl was stamped with Archival on glossy paper and then watercolored with my aqua painter. And of course my trusty Martha Stewart holly punch. (grin)
Tim's background was very similar to a Technique Junkies technique called Burnished Backgrounds, so I used the TJ method. Which includes embossing the background images in clear before adding the color. After the color was dry I cut a window in the tag for the bubble window.
A close up of the window. I cut the oval in a scrap of paper first to get a good fit. Then drew it on the tag (after stamping and burnishing). I put tape on the back of the tag and then all round the edge to keep the glitter inside. 
Every week on SCS, Crafty Secrets has a challenge (CSSC97). I've been taking part lately. The truth is I don't have many CS images, so sometimes it's a challenge. Last week's challenge was any CS image or stamp and 5 embellishments. I used Glossy Accents to apply the glitter around the edge. Last week when I used the tinsel glitter it didn't stick well. This worked like a charm!
I started with a cream tag. I stamped a corner medallion (I don't think you can see it very well) in white acrylic paint and then brushed some of the paint in the middle. After that dried I sprayed with Glimmer Mist. Blotting and drying between each color. Then stamped snowflakes and words directly on the tag. The girl is stamped on glossy paper per directions from Oxford Impressions for a "picture" like image; and then cut out. Everything was then layered.
Challenge #3 is a sketch challenge, but in honor of Mad Hatter day I had to get out my Oxford Impression CLASSIC ALICE set. The background is the same technique from Technique Junkies that I used for my Fluffle Vampire: CREATEX CREATIONS. Createx is an airbrush paint. I'm not sure what makes it different from other paints but these ridges only seem to appear with Createx. This time I used gold and red, which is always stunning on black glossy paper. The Alice images are stamped in Memento and then watercolored with my aqua-painter and SU! re-inkers. I think it keeps the pen and ink drawings "original" - even if they weren't originally colored. 
I love tags. They are my favorite medium to create! I recently came across Kard Krazy's blog that issues a Tag challenge every Tuesday. Today's challenge SHABBY CHIC. Shabby Chic means lots of things to lots of people -- to me it's an "aged" collage. Last night I had created the "watercolor" flower background working on another project (I used Tim Holtz's technique.) I had a flowery section left over and that became my jumping off point. The great thing about collage is that you can use up the scraps you have laying around on your desk. The fairy girl was a gift with purchase from one of my favorite ephemera sellers. The sentiment was stamped from La Jardin set by Oxford Impresions. A little layering, a little distressing with Shabby Shutters ink - and VOILA!
This is my last alphabet tag - L is for LEAF. The tag is crumpled up gently to distress it. Then rubbed with a Distressed Ink (Vintage Photo) and misted with water. The ink runs into the distressed crevices and leaves a wonderful rumpled look. After it was dried, I ironed it to smooth the tag. Using Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade, I stamped maple leaves (both a line stamp and a solid stamp) randomly. Over that I layered stripes of brown and print paper. The chipboard leaf was covered with another tag I had distressed in the same manner as the background tag. After cutting out I sponged the edge of the leaf. The "L" is grungeboard covered with a copper dauber.
The King of Grunge is Tim Holtz - so I started with one of his techniques from April 2008. Patterned paper is stamped and embossed with clear embossing powder. Tim then covered with dark paint dauber. But when I did that it was too dark. So I just left the clear EP alone. It magnified the red color. Alice's Queen of Hearts was stamped in Fired Brick on another tag and cut out. Black/white papers were layered over the red diamond paper. Then I used some Grungeboard pieces. A heart covered in red Stickles and Crown painted with a silver metallic dauber
Graphic 45 has a series of papers called DOMESTIC GODDESS but other than the title strips - I didn't use the paper. The background is another Tim Holtz technique from Day 7 of 2007 Christmas series. Here the entire tag is covered with Distress Ink and then clear embossing powder. When heated the EP creates an "orange peel" effect. The dents of the orange peel is rubbed with a darker color (Brushed Corduroy). The rest of the tag is collaged papers and clip art in celebration of the "cooking" Domestic Goddess.
...tan, terracotta, tea, teapot, and Tom Petty (aka the Mad Hatter).