I just use paint..
merge my photos together add text if required ect..
big hugs from London
Maria xx
I use Irfanview, which is a free download, and use 'create panoramic view'. Just have to add one file or pic at a time then save.
I put the three pictures into a publisher document, make the background coloured to give a border and then use the snipping tool to cut out the composite picture. Resave that and us it for your project. Sounds a faff, but only takes a couple of minutes. The snipping tool (Vista and Windows 7) is fantastic!