I've resorted to bastardizing a few templates now and again, but for the most part I just like doing things myself, which is where I think the frustration comes in. I want to do my designs myself, but I'll be the first to admit, they never look as good as the ones that inspire me. I can make a site functional, navigable, and all around usable, I just can't make it that pretty. When me and my wife are done school and we have our degrees, I really want to open our own shop - hopefully we can make enough off her photography and my programming so I can hire a graphics artist for any clients who need front end work done.
-m