lynda, you will not like what I have to say. Those creations were created using some of the very basic vector creation techniques. I could give you step-by-step directions so you could duplicate exactly, but then you would have gained nothing. Learning Photoshop does require a little reading and loads of practice.
Listed below are numerous links that you should check-out, the first one is BioRUST. There are several that cover almost exactly, the thumbnails you have attached to your log.
Good luck, you can do it!!!!
http://www.biorust.com/tutorials/detail/48/en/
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/tuto...ape/index.html
http://fps.brainerd.net/photoshopshapes1.htm
http://www.graphicxtras.com/products/psshapes.htm
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial...m-Shapes/11843