Graphics/Design Software

[russmini]

Wonder if any of you can offer some help.

Want some software that is FREE

All i want to do is some messing around. I basically want to be able to do stuff similar to say the Signatures on here and other Forums. Also Banner type stuff.

Something where i can merge photo's/text/copied graphic stuff and then produce something.

This is for me just to mess with really as i keep wanting to do stuff and can't/don;t know how to/where to look.

Cheers all.