I've been using Print Shop 21 for several years to make labels, brochures, menu's,holiday cards.
Its very easy to insert photo's/artwork to incorporate with the text layout,and then saved as PDF files.
Its pretty reasonably priced these day at $25 or so....I paid about $80 for mine around 5 years ago.
I've not tried Gimp before....so I'll be checking that one out also.