Thank you so much! I just love the background of the ones you made - did you find that design as is or put separate layers together? I've really gotten fascinated by light effects lately.

it's (a) proof that you made something right with your icon(s), and (b) we are entitled to some bragging and showing off

Exactly! We put a lot of work into our art and love doing so, for no reward except a few kudos, maybe seeing our icons snagged and appreciated by others, and then that tangible thing, the banner. Why shouldn't we have something to show for our efforts?

unless it's mentioned that they will be made automatically

They're made automatically at the icontests I started with so I knew nothing about the "asking for banners" thing until bangel_4e started btvsats20in20. Then one round I got tired of waiting for folks to ask and said "the heck with it, I'll make banners for everyone" and that's what I do whenever it's my turn to make banners. I figure, if they don't want it they don't have to take it, and i've not risked overlooking someone accidentally.