Okay, I ran some searches trying to find a thread on this and found nothing.

I'm planning ahead for the Renfaire in September.  I've promised to take my little brother (he'll be in 5th grade, but he's a little guy), and I want to make a costume for him.  I've only used store-bought patterns to make my own clothes, but I've found nothing I like through my usual sources (Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick).

Does anyone know of a Renaissance-style or fantasy-style bandit/pirate costume pattern for a late elementary kid?  Alternately, is there a good book on creating patterns or any ideas on creating a costume?  I've been sewing for some years now and my sewing skills are good (so long as it's not a Vogue pattern) , so I'm open to any suggestions.  Thanks

Does anyone know of any stores that sell paper/stickers/scrapbook supplies in either Carroll or Howard County?  I like to make little books and other things with paper and stickers and I'd love to know if there's a place apart from JoAnn or Michaels where I can buy them.

I've taken apart an old ripped messenger bag this week to use as a pattern to make a new one for school.  I want to sew denim squares cut from my old jeans together as a patchwork sort of material for the outside.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to sew the denim scraps together (such as a certain type of thread to use, or a certain stitch) so that it won't fall apart a month into next semester?  Also, does anyone know of something I should do to reinforce the material or of any other tips?  Thanks!

I woke up this morning with a nagging feeling that I should make a journal for one of my friends, so in the spirit of summer vacation, I put one together and gave it to her this afternoon.

I had some fun figuring out what to do about the cover papers.  She loves plants, so I wanted to subtly incorporate something natural into the design.  I laid the leaves where I wanted them on the paper and then colored over the entire paper with the side of a white crayon.  After that, I went over the paper with green watercolor.  I needed to use drawing paper because the leaves wouldn't make a good rubbing on the heavier watercolor paper.

This is the tutorial I used to bind it: http://benrinehart.com/images/pdfs/coptic_stitch.pdf (thanks, unlikely redhead, for the link)

Does anyone have any other ideas for interesting cover paper designs?