Brushes for PSP and PS work sort of like the stamp tool in PI. If you have PSP, PSE or PS, you can make png elements from brushes and then import to PI to convert to a stamp. Here's a tut on how to add images to your stamp gallery:
http://wwell.net/tutorials/pi8/mystamps/index.html
You can also get the blurred edge effects using the mask tool. Here's a tut that explains a little about how to paint your own mask over a photo:
http://wwell.net/tutorials/pi8/photo...art/index.html
You can get some cool effects by playing around with different brush and texture settings.