It's educational and confidence building to DIY for a simple circuit. Try a board with all "though hole" components first.

Start with a simple schematic, maybe a 555 timer flashing an LED[1]? Grab a PCB layout program, such as gEDA/PCB [2], Eagle [3] or an old version of Protel. You can even use an everyday drawing package, such as Inkscape for really simple boards, if you think a CAD package is too complex. Alternatively, use a resist pen [7] to draw the circuit directly on your blank PCB.

Buy a PCB making kit, which includes a blank piece of PCB, chemicals and instructions [4]. Follow the instructions [5]. Solder the components on [6]. Turn on the power!

[1] http://www.instructables.com/id/Flashing-LED-using-555-Timer...

[2] http://pcb.geda-project.org/

[3] http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/

[4] http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9990

[5] http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/pcboards.pdf

[6] http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/sokolov/library/datasheets/solder...

[7] http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TM3000

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Edit: add resist pen suggestion

With companies like OSH Park[1], the cost barrier to getting a bare board professionally manufactured is so low that you ought to just try it sometime. If you already sketch schematics, go through a basic Eagle tutorial or two, then try laying out a simple board based on your schematic. If you keep it small, you'll only be out $15 or so!

[1] http://oshpark.com