A quick post to share a site that I found today in a search for background textures.
The site is CG Textures, and they are a completely free resource for background textures and objects. And better still, they offer a huge variety of really good images.
If you are a web developer, graphic designer, or even just like to design your own sites, you need to know about this resource.
From their About page:
“CGTextures strives to be the world's best texture site. Being a 3D artist myself, I know how hard it is to create textures without good photo materials. Making textures should be about creativity, not about spending hours looking for the right image on the internet. I hope that by supplying good quality textures in an organized manner, your everyday work will be easier and more enjoyable.”
As an example of what they offer, I clicked on the category "concrete". Seven sub-categories popped up, image below. 
As you can see, the sub-cats in concrete vary from "dirty" to "bunker wall", with many variations in color, pattern, and style available.
Clicking on the "dirty" sub-cat, took me to the first page with over 150 images available in that category. See a few samples below. 
The images are high quality, with a small and large resolution available.
Check it out, and let me know how you like it!
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Did I find your 3rd site finally? How many are there??
I like anything lavender. The texture thing is a good idea, I'll have to play with it.
Posted by: Grandy | July 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I have never messed around with textures. Brushes yes but not textures. I have way too many projects going on right now.
I stopped at the bead store in Redding on the way home today. I bought some stones and wire. It was 20% off! Trying my hand at wire work.
Also when I was out taking pictures last night a bird shit on my camera. On my $700 camera. I was not pleased. Today it is kind of funny.
I may post about this when I have a spare moment.
Posted by: Rachel | July 31, 2008 at 03:09 AM
@ Grandy.......4 sites, lol. :)
The photos are great for site backgrounds, etc.. Really one of the best places I've found!
@ Rachel.....LOL at the bird!! Was it a seagull? Damn but they are annoying birds!!
Posted by: nicole | July 31, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I am not sure what it was. It wasn't a seagull though. They are mostly in parking lots around here. This was down by the river. Little brown birds like a thrush or something. At least I wasn't in San Francisco...then it would have been a pigeon.
Posted by: Rachel | July 31, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Mmmmm.....here it's the seagulls.
In Detroit, Chicago, Boston and DC, it's the damn pigeons also.
You did get a great shot out of it! :)
Posted by: nicole | August 01, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I have other nice ones from the shoot as well. I just posted that one for Sky Watch and to tell that story. After I finish posting the other Manhattan Beach pictures I will post more of the sunset shoot.
Posted by: Rachel | August 01, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I think I found your 4th. :)
Posted by: Grandy | August 03, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Thanks for the lead on this resource. It's always helpful to have something like this when you're doing graphics work. Generally, however, I'm found with a paintbrush in my hand--that is when I'm not working on my blog, The Artist's Muse. Check it out at http://www.sharonahart.blogspot.com
Posted by: S. Hart | August 05, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Now you've got me intrigued with the possibility of a textured background in my blogs.
Posted by: book_it | August 05, 2008 at 03:54 PM
@ Grandy.......you did. *hugs* :)
@ Sharon.....love your blog, and your work. Will be stopping by daily! :)
@ book_it.....textures are very fun to play with. :)
Posted by: nicole | August 05, 2008 at 04:38 PM