Marilyn, if you are still looking to customize your blog, here's an option I highly recommend:
www.acornglue.com
It is run by an Australian lady named Sharnee. She has some blog templates up on her website, and they run anywhere from $15-$25. So you choose one that you like. They are great-looking, but if you want to customize (like button links or 3-columns or color changes), ask her for a quote. Check out that link, and you will see what I mean. She has lots of helpful info on her website.
The thing I loved about her is I started emailing her and within three days I had changed my template (It is my Pink Ink blog - see the link below) painlessly. She is very accomodating and super to work with. (I was amazed that I worked with someone across the world so quickly than I can get ,say, a local business to show up at my house)
If you are interested in anything customized, and I mean anything, ask her, and she will be upfront about what she can and cannot do. Also, once she makes a design for you, she takes that off the list, so you have your very own unique-looking blog.
PS The only thing is, she is in the process of moving and might not be available (no internet) for a week, but if you still need the work done, I definitely would check her out first before parting with $400 or so dollars.
Hope that helps!