Layout Design help

[arabian]

I would like to learn how to make my own lj layout designs. I know HTML and I can do graphics, plus I've been told by professionals that I have a pretty good idea for web design, but I don't know the basics, and my brain gets bogged down with the technical directions. I've been using different word plays in google search to find an easy, understandable tutorial for figuring out how to make an lj layout design (I've picked up a bit more on how CSS works at least!), but I haven't found something that really just lays it out in plain English.

So, can anyone provide some options of where to look? I'd really appreciate it.