Customizing the header)

[DDolphins]

I am having trouble creating the header just the way I want it, and I don't know what the problem is other then that I suck at coding.

Basically I want the forums to be fluid as fixed isnt going work for me as i intend for the users to be allowed to post images within the post (not as attachments) On fixed this causes a problem if the image is larger then the width.

Regardless this is a photoshop example of what I want to do

http://www.dreamingdolphins.com/example.jpg

I want the logo/banner centered in the header, with a background image to be a gradiant filling in the empty space in the header. The Quicklinks bar (the gray bar) to be right below the header. Then the forums/body under it.

I've tried numerous code edits but everytime I've done it I cant get the bar to show up after editing. I can center the logo/banner but I'm stuck as I can't put a background image in the header to fill the empty space/repeat with it being in a fluid state.

Does anyone know what I can do or is there a template that exists thats similar to what I want to do so I can figure this out? Or is it really a lost cause?

I appreciate anyone's help in the matter and thank you for your time.