What do you intend to use the design for?
Where will it be displayed?
How big will it be?
Why do you need a 'design'?
Whatever the answers might be I suggest you choose one, put it out of your mind for a few weeks, then return to have another look. Your initial enthusiasm might well have changed.
Don't rush into anything if there is money involved!!

I've had excellent service with MPB in GB.
Sold to them and offered prices reasonable enough.
Bought from them - items better than described and very well packed.
Am being informed when an item I want is back in stock.
So very happy to trade again.

The 70mm lens is one of my favourites. I have it mounted on a Panasonic Lumix GM1 body and often use it with extension tubes. The results are more than acceptable. However the lens is always at full aperture, about f2 because there is no simple adjustment on the lens itself - the 110 camera body did that. The 18mm lens is minute and nearly disappears from view even on the GM1. The zoom 20mm - 40mm lens is a bit of an enigma and certainly not my 'go-to' lens, more of a monster and a question: why would you want to use it at all?
If you have any of these lenses, buy an adapter and try them: great fun if nothing else.

You will get results with your kit lens set at 55mm focal length, and I suggest then manual focus.
Make sure your camera is stable.
Use the camera self-timer to avoid camera shake.

Macro photography opens up a different world, and you will see things you have never seen before or imagined - try looking at a piece of torn newsprint for instance.
But above all - have fun.

Get a copy of 'The Panasonic GX7 menu System Simplified' by David Thorpe

I did this update last night - obviously a bad time because it took over 3 hours.
And the picture for the sign-on screen, the first you get on power-up, is just a fuzzy mess!
Everything else seems to be working but certainly no faster than before.

Its a great little camera for all the reasons you gave. Its my general travelling companion too and very handy with an extra grip attached.. The close function of the camera is remarkable. So really bad luck you have lost yours.
There are a few around but not too many as it wasn't really a best seller. I have a white model - the only choice when I wanted to buy. But Panasonic then offered a refurbished 'black' and I jumped at the chance of having a seccond as a back-up. Not had to use it yet!
Hope you can find a replacement.

If you give up on the camera, I presume the lens can still be removed.
Don't bin it.
Get an adapter and use it on a current digital camera.
This is just what I'm doing on my Panasonic GM1.

What is wrong with your LX3? Take that - you know how it works and a new camera wont be as quick in use.

Drop me a pm and I will see what I have in my cupboard that might be useful to you.
jesse

Buy a 'ClearViewer' from Gary Robertshaw.
Have one fitted to my point and shoot - solves most issues.
Can't see what the fuss is about when there are easy solutions - OK not all solutions fit all people but this product is worth looking at.

I find the sign-up page so bland and boring that I'm losing interest.
Nothing attractive - functional maybe .....

So many replies - so many different solutions which work for the guys that made them!
You are probably bemused to say the least.
Truth is that it takes TIME to build a decent website, and frankly time isn't on your side! So do something like your flicker idea. Preparing to take the photos is a big enough concern at this stage, and lets face it you aren't going to make money from this exercise, or at best very little that wont justify time expended.
If you like the idea of a website, do your homework, take your time, trial it, amend it, and then use it. However ask and answer the question - 'what do I need a website for?' - before you invest a lot of time.
And so I asked - what do you want to be photographing after dealing with this show?

It is that difficult - and time consuming!

Best way for you to break even over this is:
Take the photos
enjoy the experience
upload the photos to 'flickr' or 'snapfish'
tell people where they can see them
tell niece you enjoyed the show
move on to something else
Cost to you - very little time and little hassle!
Bonus - pleasure of show: happy niece.

What are your photo plans for after the show?

I've been using an LX7 for the last couple of years.
It hasn't an evf so I've fitted it with a 'Clearviewer'.
So it is older technology but as a previous poster says it does most things remarkably well. I've contemplated upgrading but seriously wonder if my pictures could be any better as a result. I use the camera for a lot of table top work and am delighted with the 'A' setting for this. Having said that the 'landscapes' and 'street shots' I got recently have stood up to A3 enlargement size with no issues.
Look at eBay prices. See if you can pick one up at a reasonable price, have a belt case, and go take pictures.
You will need a spare battery or two, but that is good practice anyhow.