I use Ubuntu (which comes with GNOME), and you don't have to have any special program to skin it (except an image editor such as GIMP, of course). I would reccomend http://www.gnome-look.org/index.php?xcontentmode=101&PHPSESSID=27ba104ce82101350c800f3602c48816 (or just go to gnome-look.org and choose 'Metacity' from the left panel). If you don't like the themes here, you can always get one close to what you like, download it, open it up with an archive manager, edit the image files, repack them, and then load up the theme like you would any other. You could start from scratch too of course, but I wouldn't reccomend it.
Look around in the X11-Mouse Themes section and you'll find a program that converts CursorXP/FX themes to Ubuntu cursors too. I haven't tried it myself, but I hear it works. Of course, Ubuntu's cursors are just .PNG's, so there are plenty of non-CursorFX themes on there as well, and you can easily make them for yourself.
For Ubuntu logins, head over to the GDM themes section and edit them the same way you would a skin.
I haven't done any of these myself, but Splash Screens will help you for replacing the boot screen.
Gnome-look.org has a ton of other stuff too, most of it working in Ubuntu without any additional programs. You don't need WindowBlinds in Linux.
