Blog Design? Tips & help needed.

I have spent days...hours upon hours, trying to figure out my blog design..
& omg! I give major props to all you out there who have mastered this.
From signatures to blog buttons & headers & links, ahhhhhh!!!
*PULLS HAIR OUT*

I wanted a cool custom signature, but yeah it wasn't working.
I'm taking this opportunity to try out a plain old signature made on a signature generating site or something
(you can go to it by click on my name below on my sig.)

I tried making blog buttons, yeah didn't look too good.
Cannot figure out how to put the menu bar thing on the top that takes you to individual sections & pages.
Wouldn't even know where to start.

BUT I have been changing & updating things slowly but surely.
I am just CLUELESS with all this blog design stuff.
Some people hire professional blog designers to fix up their blogs, but lord knows I surely can't afford that.
My blog will just have to remain mediocre & amateurish for now!

BUT, if any of you all know how to do anything that could help me or any tips
that would freakin awesome & greatly appreciated.
So GIVE ME SOME TIPS...
Just comment & send me links 2 tutorials or gimme' tips.
Whatever you got i'll check it out!!