12 FFX Icons + random Aulu banner

I have been trying to understand layer masking. I still don't. All the tutorials say things like, "Make a fill layer with #2abc31, set opacity to 50%, and use overlay," and I say, "But why? What effect are you pushing for here?" So I fall back on, "try various layer modes at random and fiddle with the sliders."

Results are mixed, as you see.

Previews:

( Clickie for the whole set )

Credits for ye masks, textures, and brushes used in this set go to: meleada, arisubox, astarte59, webgoddess, sanami276, colorfilter, quebelly, miss_snoopy, neke, theoicons, and Rainharbor/Bruno's Honeypot.

ETA: Oh, right. Feel free to nab; please credit.