Graphic applications for field covers?

Hi Guys,

Anyone know of any good graphic applications to use for designing field covers that don't cost a fortune or are free? I know photoshop is out there and I have been using excel spreadsheet. That's going well accept I don't know how to get the field numbers upside down (tried the text box but it doesn't lock in place . . moves around when you change the aspect).

I found something called GIMP at http://files.uberdownloads.com/apps/gimp/index.php . I almost downloaded it but it wanted to add another 6 or 8 softwares in the process so I dumped it. Does anyone know if it works for what we do here?

Thanks, Brian

PS: A thought just went through my otherwise spacious head . . . can you do your field on excel in landscape formation to get those field numbers to do right?