I've found lots of good software that will make certain types of images for free. Most of these are given with the hope that you will upgrade to a full price version with more features.
Bryce has a full featured procedural texture generator. Generate an image of gold foil or cloth then use it as a texture. You can get a full version of the 5.5 release at Cnet.
http://www.download.com/Bryce/3000-6677_4-10696716.html?cdlPid=10696717%20122mb%20download.
This version of Bryce only exports terrains. Version 6 costs about $65 and has more materials and exports boolean objects.
Wood Workshop is Spiral Graphics free texture generator. Make floors and wood tiles in dozens of patterns. Control colors, grains, symmetry, and generate tilable textures.
http://www.spiralgraphics.biz/ww_index.htm
Spiral Graphics Sells Genetica versions from $99 to $699. You get what comes free in wood workshop plus, stone, organics, plus different channels for specular, diffuse, normal, alpha, etc.
Universe Image Creator from Diard Software makes nebula, stars, vortex, lens flares, planets, and galaxies. There is a stand alone program with some features disabled or a photoshop plugin version that watermarks.
http://www.diardsoftware.com/
If you register for $24.95 they unlock other features like being able to rotate elements, lense flares, and a set of planet drawing tools.
All these shareware versions are unlimited at least for non commercial use.
Guild of Writers
