I've seen several blogs with pictures in the sidebar (where calenders, tickers and blogroll go) but I don't know how to make one - can anyone help?

I've seen these too, but I'm clueless about how to do it. Good luck!

Simply use the text widget. You can upload your picture to a photosharing site like photobucket and get an HTML code to use in your text widget.

when I do, it removes all the other sidebar stuff. I can add it all back, except the 3fc links. Those don't return. I'm really not a dummy; I've had my own websites before and run full messageboards. hmmm