hate to be an annoyance

but i've been wondering. I know how to get the block of colour behind text but i've been wondering how to get it so that the line of colour kind of fades....i dunno how well i'm explaining it. I tried using the blur tool but that doesn't seem to look right. I can't find an example at the moment and i'm not quite sure where to look in the memories for this either. I am using photoshop btw.
Thanks for your help in advance
[edit] i found an example by teh_indy and also posted them a q in their journal about it but if anyone else can help in the meantime i'd be extremely grateful
heres the icon by teh_indy:
[/edit]
thanks for all your help....i have it now!