how can i make more realistic textures. every texture i make looks really cartoonish and that is my biggest problem with blender and not my modelling. i would like to here everyones ideas.
digital camera. clone stamp tool. need i say more?
You also need to further develop your skills in Photoshop/Gimp (whichever of the two you use…)…
Check out these tuts (especially the Scott effect tut…) and tell me what you think… 
http://gug.sunsite.dk/?page=tutorials&PHPSESSID=f7a24fadd71301d0322bef85378e6d59
Allthough these tuts are Gimp specific, you’ll find out that most of them apply on Photoshop as well…
Spyros.
Definetely, try doing photographic textures and get to know your image program. Worked for me.