I use Microsoft Digital Image Suite, I've been using it for over 10 years and can make just about anything as long as the original picture is decent and not pixelated..the problem is finding time to do so.
i use macromedia fireworks, its kinda dumbed down version of photoshop but its more for creating website graphics, i learned how to use in high school for a webpage design class, i downloaded the trial and then got the serial number online so now i have for good