Hi joshandlauri 
I think you're off to a good start; you're already shooting every-day things that people seem to take for granted or just plain overlook!
The first thing that immediately jumps to mind when I see these shots is the lack of contrast. Both shots are very 'flat'.
Secondly, I would say work on your composition: both of the objects of interest are centred (which sort of works for the second shot, in retrospect). For the first shot I'd re-compose so that the cross was lower and to the left (consider the angle at which it is facing), and so that the controls in the background don't interfere with the cross. For the second shot I'd re-compose to bring the object of interest closer to the vertical centre.
Thirdly, are you purely practicing with your camera (I'm going to guess it's a 350D/400D?), or are you trying to get a message across in your shots? The first shot of the cross is interesting, but my eyes are also drawn to the controls in the background and I begin to wonder about their relevance to the cross.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your camera! 