Blog templates

So as I've become a blogger I have noticed a lot of my friends have these nice, pretty templates and layouts on their blogs. I found this one of the fish and for some reason thought they were kind of cute and funny. But probably won't keep it. I'd love to hear from some of you who have these advanced backgrounds to throw me some hints. I would like to make mine a little nicer too. Hope to get some feedback. Until then, I will post more I have lots to get going but I have been miserably sick and cannot stare at the computer anymore. I should be better by tomorrow.