I use Photoshop and Illustrator CS6 and have used them since they were first developed (yup, I'm that old)  
 
I do not know HOW anyone uses a mouse   I use a drawing "pad" although not a brand name. I would be lost without it.
 
I have gotten into the habit of taking pictures of almost anything and everything to try and increase my own stock of clip art. I use illustrator to draw anything I need.  
 
I am a Photoshop/Illustrator FREAK. I could live without food before I could live without these programs. I've been lucky since I bought them so many years ago I get "upgrade" prices on them. I can completely understand people not purchasing them today. Photoshop Elements is very close to Photoshop, however, and reasonably priced.
 
My hat is off to you using a mouse.  

I had a tablet but I could never get it to work right... perhaps I just need a tutorial. I'm one of those people who have a hard time learning new things if it takes more than ten minutes.... I know that's terrible.

I use photoshop elements and have for years. I'd love to have CS5, but can't afford it. I got a Wacom frawig pad for Christmas, but haven't used it much. I work on a laptop so I use the built in mouse which is just a pad on the computer. So far it's worked for me.
 
I draw some of my things and use clipart from different CU4CU sources. I'm starting to take photos for my new shop. We'll see if  they are approved.
 
I've looked at stock photo places but they usually don't allow POD. You can also look for photos on the internet that are in the public domain. I've done that a few times. There are some places that allow all commercial use.
 
I hope that helps. Good luck.

Photoshop CS5 and a Wacom Intuos 5 touch.  I usually have a sketch layer using the brush tool at about 3 px.  Then I build layers over the sketch using whatever is necessary: pen, brushes, masking, text, gradients, etc.  And I've learned how to do most of this over the last six months.
 
Any photography I use is stuff either my husband, one of my kids or I have taken.  I love to create landscapes and seascapes from our photographs.  I have some Father's Day cards I hope to have approved soon demonstrating this technique.
 
I used to use MS Publisher with some editing in Photoshop, because I was comfortable with it and got good results.  I took an online course by Deke McLelland on Photoshop CS5 on Lynda.com and have sort of been kicking myself for not doing it sooner.  I had no idea on how severely I was limiting myself and my artwork.
 
The next courses I'm taking are Adobe Illustrator.  Deke McLelland does a fabulous introductory course on AI and with the Adobe Bridge, the back and forth is supposed to be super easy between Ps and AI.  I'm sure there are a lot of artists on GCU who've been at this for a while.
 
The course cost me about $25.  Lynda.com is $25 per month, and it's super easy to discontinue or start up again at a moment's notice, and you can take as many courses as you like while you are signed up.
 
I also love, love, love Dover clipart and have signed up for their free design sampler.
 
Also ... a side note.  On one of my Zazzle sites, I used a Mother Teresa quote for an engagement card.  After three years and many sales, Zazzle took the card down and told me it violated copyright.  I contacted the Mother Teresa Center and after many months, they granted me permission to use the quote on my products.  They sent me the paperwork last week.  The point is, if you want to use a quote, it never hurts to ask!  And now I know to ask first.