Setting The Aperture

When I browse the images on Blip I wonder how the photographers achieved their shots.  I like those images where the subject is in focus and the background is fuzzy.  This wondering has led me to read the camera user guide that I always thought I was too thick to understand.  Today I tried setting the aperture value myself.  A little back light to make it pop and I have a Japanese Anemone in focus and the background leaves fuzzy.  If you look carefully you can see an earwig hiding under a central petal.