oh yeah, there are some pretty sweet things you can make in GIMP, you just need to learn how to combine effects, filters, and techniques to create them. It's only limited by your artistic ability.

For me, this is for me only, i recently bought PS and did not like it at all. This was because everything was just so complicated to use and it's a ram hog. Buttons have other buttons and layered effect within them, so without digging in you may not ever find the tools you're looking for. I find GIMP so much more better because it's powerful and easy to use (once you explore it for a day or so)