Ok I'm popping in not to give you a massive rate I'm afraid but to say I love that Articuno banner...
Love the simplicity and the way it was put together. Those diagonal lines are great! May I enquire as to how you do it? The sparkles are great, smudging is great, rain effect is great. It really is a great banner!
Oh and can I take you up on your offer? If you can't remember it was to be my tutor for banner making and stuff and I figure I have been really slumped (haven't touched Photoshop in like 2 weeks) and I need to work on my stuff. Would you be my tutor/teacher? Pretty please?