Well Its been a long time since I did GFX so I am starting back into it. Well This one is very simplistic but thats what I was going for mainly contrast and coloring here with some smuding to add slight effects. The following one I followed the Asian Girl Tut in the graphics tutorial section which this is my result
I believe the border is overwhelming, and the blending is between underwhelming and nonexistant. For the first one, that is. With the second one, the blending isn't exactly amazing either.. If i had to pick one specific aspect for you to work on it would be render blending, but that's just my opinion.
i like the first, was that a stock? or a seperate render? anyway, it looks good how it is imo. second one has nice effects but bad text...and i would agree with afflicted that the blending needs to be improved. gj and good luck