I need some styling help

[MarineCorps]

Using the Style Manager in the Admin CP seems pretty straightforward and easy as long as all you want to do is make basic style changes. However I would like to do more than that and have the graphics background and programs to do so but I am weak on coding.

What I want to know is if I make an image for the header in 3 pieces so that there is a repeating background with a left and right image how does that get coded?
And does that need to be changed in the header template? Or can it be extra css code?

That same question also applies to the Footer, Table Header, and Category Strips. Also on all three areas do you also need to specify the height of the images you are using or will the style adjust upon the height of the image used?

Secondly how do I add a space between threads? And once a space is added does each thread then have it's own footer?

The reason why I ask these questions is because in order to acheive a shape other than a rectangle I assume that is what people have done. I have several more questions concerning changing other parameters but I will wait until I understand and can use effectively what I have allready asked. Thanks to everyone who is willing to help me out.